When discussing children's literature, it's impossible not to mention writer Ha Lam Ky. His first children's story, "Where Did Uncle Cuoi Go?", was published in the Hoang Lien Son newspaper in 1985. His novel "The Last Keepsake," written in 1991 about the heroic teenager Hoang Van Tho, cemented his reputation. It was included in the "Golden" book series of Kim Dong Publishing House, won the C Prize at the Vietnam Writers Association Awards in 1992, and has been included in the Grade 9 Literature curriculum of the former Yen Bai province for many years. He also has collections of stories such as "The Fiery Wind" and "The Leader of the Old Forest," works rich in cultural and natural elements, relatable to young readers.
Before becoming a member of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts, author Hoang Kim Yen was a primary school teacher. Having worked closely with children, she realized that through their eyes, the difficulties and hardships of daily life are viewed through a simple and beautiful lens. Children always interpret the world around them with innocent and pure thinking, transforming ordinary things into something magical. It was this fascinating inner world that inspired and motivated author Hoang Kim Yen to write for children, a field not many authors choose.
To date, she has published two collections of short stories: "A Rescue" and "Who is the Artist?" (which won the C Prize at the Yen Bai Literature and Arts Award in 2023), along with short stories for children published in the provincial Literature and Arts Magazine.
From a young age, writer Nong Quang Khiem lived in an environment steeped in Tay culture. His peaceful childhood memories—living in traditional stilt houses, listening to his grandmother's fairy tales by the warm fire, and admiring the pristine beauty of the mountains and forests—led him to create works for children. Nong Quang Khiem's writings go beyond mere storytelling; they are a way for him to "touch" the innocent souls of children with the sincerity and simplicity of a highlander, helping them feel proud of their origins and the unique identity of their ethnic group. To date, Nong Quang Khiem has authored the poetry collection "Kites of Childhood," which won the C prize from the Provincial Union of Literature and Arts; the short story collection "Beloved Pha Mo Forest," which won the B prize from the Provincial Union of Literature and Arts; and the children's story collection "Blue Stars," which won the C prize from the Provincial Union of Literature and Arts.
However, the number of truly captivating works that create a "craze" or become bedtime books for children in Lao Cai in particular and the whole country in general is still very modest. According to writer Ha Lam Ky, children's literature today is facing systemic paradoxes. The biggest "bottleneck" lies in the lack of professional "platforms." As major central newspapers gradually reduce their dedicated sections for children, local authors lose the official channel to publish their works and establish their names. The absence of specialized writing workshops dedicated to this subject also deprives writers of an environment to hone their skills and gain experience.
Furthermore, the "problem" of distribution is becoming a barrier preventing works from reaching readers. Many authors self-publish their works and personally donate them to schools, hoping the books will reach students.
According to writer Nong Quang Khiem, the challenge also stems from the dramatic change in the aesthetic tastes of young readers. Today's children access the world through the internet, cartoons, and video games with fast pace and vibrant images. When they hold a book with overly familiar content, a slow narrative style, or a lack of interaction, they easily feel bored. The reality of "public indifference to children's literature" partly stems from the fact that the works haven't yet reached the emotional "frequency" of children. We are writing what we think children need, rather than truly writing what children want and yearn to learn.
In Lao Cai, introducing new literary works to young readers in remote areas remains limited. Author-work exchanges, reading competitions, and young writers' clubs are not organized regularly or widely. Without a "bridge" between writers and readers, even the best works easily fall into obscurity. More alarmingly, in the fierce competition of audiovisual entertainment, children's reading habits are seriously threatened. Many parents still don't truly care about selecting and guiding their children's reading culture, viewing books merely as supplementary learning tools instead of as a source of nourishment for the soul.
Investing in children's literature is investing in the future; it's a long journey that requires the collective effort of the entire community. Filling the gaps in children's literature today is the best way to cultivate national pride and preserve the spirit of future generations.
Presented by: Hien Trang
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/van-hoc-thieu-nhi-khat-suc-hut-post891346.html
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