The enduring appeal of 'Kaleidoscope' after 30 years

Three decades later, the series "Kaleidoscope," which is closely associated with the childhood of many generations of readers, still holds a special appeal.

A meet-and-greet and book signing event with author Nguyen Nhat Anh for his children's book series "Kinh Van Hoa" was held at the Ho Chi Minh City Children's House.

Photo: Organizing Committee

On the morning of December 20th, at the Ho Chi Minh City Children's House, Kim Dong Publishing House organized a series of activities including book signings and award ceremonies for the "Kaleidoscope Opens Up the World" writing and vlog contest, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the "Kaleidoscope" book series (1995–2025).

The atmosphere at the gathering was filled with special emotions, as the pages of books once passed from hand to hand in schoolbags now became shared memories for an entire generation. It was a reunion of grown-up readers, of parents bringing their children back to the world of their childhood that they once cherished. Although artist Do Hoang Tuong could not be present due to health reasons, the spirit of camaraderie among those who contributed to creating "Kaleidoscope" was fully present in the stories shared.

Recalling the beginning of the series, author Nguyen Nhat Anh said that one of the biggest challenges when starting the series was choosing a title. For him, a work encompassing many aspects of life from family and friends to school needed a title that was both familiar and comprehensive, yet powerful enough to spark the imagination.

The kaleidoscope was chosen because it's a fascinating childhood toy, each turn revealing a new world, reflecting the overarching spirit of the series. From there, the pressure to write quickly intensified. The regular publication schedule left the author with almost no time to rest. Each volume had to contain 10 chapters, a full 192 pages, and most importantly, it had to avoid repetition.

After 30 years, Kaleidoscope still holds a very special appeal for readers.

Photo: Organizing Committee

Nguyen Nhat Anh admits that the more he writes, the more difficult it becomes, sometimes feeling like he's "wearing shoes with pebbles inside." However, this very pressure forces him to reinvent himself, not allowing for complacency in his creative process. The idea of ​​developing "Kaleidoscope" into a long-running series also stemmed from market realities. At that time, Vietnamese children were captivated by many long-running Japanese series, while domestic literature lacked similar works. From familiar stories of school life, Nguyen Nhat Anh persistently built a world that is relatable, diverse, and capable of accompanying readers for many years.

With the first volume, "The Magician," released in December 1995, "Kaleidoscope" quickly made its mark on the reading world, establishing Nguyen Nhat Anh as a unique phenomenon in Vietnamese children's literature.

Kaleidoscope in the eyes of the reader.

That enduring quality is clearly reflected in the readers' emotions. Present at the event, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thom (41 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) shared that "Kaleidoscope" is a part of her childhood memories, and she still feels the same emotions when rereading it. "When I was little, I read it to laugh, to see myself in Quy Rom's mischievous antics. Now, reading it with my children, I realize how carefree and innocent I once was," she said.

According to many readers, the enduring appeal of "Kaleidoscope" lies not only in its captivating story but also in the author's respect for the world of childhood. Nguyen Nhat Anh doesn't impose lessons or preach, but allows the characters to experience, stumble, and grow on their own. Messages about friendship, honesty, and sharing are therefore received naturally and gently.

Poet Nguyen Hoang Son commented that the fact that children across the country send letters to "The Kaleidoscope Shop," chatting with Quy Rom, little Hanh, and Tieu Long as if they were real friends, is proof of the work's success. The clear language and the moderate use of local dialects and slang have contributed to the series' widespread appeal and lasting impact.

Award ceremony for the writing and vlog contest "Kaleidoscope Opens Up the World".

Photo: Organizing Committee

Besides the success of "Kaleidoscope ," author Nguyen Nhat Anh also hopes that many more versions of "Kaleidoscope" will be created by succeeding writers. He admits that there were times when he considered stopping with "Kaleidoscope," when the pressure to write became too great. However, completing that journey has led him to believe that what he has achieved today will pave the way for the next generation. According to him, young writers are perfectly capable of doing it, and may even go further and better than the previous generation.

Sharing the same view, poet Le Minh Quoc commented that Nguyen Nhat Anh's success is clear evidence of the enduring creative ability of Vietnamese writers. "If Nguyen Nhat Anh has done it, I believe that today's young writers can also do it, if they have enough passion, perseverance, and the courage to pursue long-term literary projects for children," he shared.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Kaleidoscope series is being introduced in its complete 54-volume set, packaged into 9 box sets, with a new presentation style while retaining the original spirit. This is not just a visual refresh, but also a way for the series to continue accompanying readers today.

Looking back over three decades, "Kaleidoscope" is not only a successful children's book series, but also a testament to the power of literature written with understanding and sincerity. When stories are told with love for childhood, they can transcend time, remaining as a pure realm of memories, a place where generations have seen themselves reflected and carried with them throughout their journey to adulthood.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/suc-hut-ben-bi-cua-kinh-van-hoa-sau-30-nam-185251220191538341.htm