Vietnamese Children's Literature in the Early 21st Century: A Passionate Look from Van Thanh Le

A rare work of literary criticism has just been released on the Vietnamese Children's Literature market in the early 21st century - Things Remaining in Closed Eyes by author Van Thanh Le, published by Kim Dong Publishing House.

Children's literature essay.

"The book is worth reading to gain optimism about the transformation of children's literature, and at the same time to gain more seriousness and strictness with oneself - from the writers" - that is the comment from education doctor Nguyen Thuy Anh about the new work of writer Van Thanh Le.

What is children's literature?

As the author of 17 books, both writing and publishing books for children, writer Van Thanh Le has also been interested in and researching Vietnamese children's literature for over 2 decades. When looking back at the flow of children's literature from the 20th century to the early 21st century from countless articles to "the reality of literary life", the author expressed "hesitation and skepticism" before many mixed phenomena, "not enough to cover and fairly recognize the flow of children's literature over the past 25 years".

Vietnamese children's literature needs to maintain a distinct position, with stories, dialogues, and characters that carry Vietnamese flavor and soul for young readers to easily feel, touch, and catch (page 175).

Therefore, writer Van Thanh Le “closed his eyes and thought quietly” with the hope of systematizing the movement of children’s literature and introducing a collection of essays that added a voice to children’s literature. His valuable efforts deserve to be welcomed and appreciated by readers in an open spirit.

The author said that Vietnamese children's literature only really started in the 1920s, marked by the novel Watermelon by Nguyen Trong Thuat published in 1925 (page 23). Therefore, critics and journalists should not unfairly compare that domestic children's literature "loses right at home" compared to world children's literature, which is already a "magnificent castle".

After reading Things Remaining in Closed Eyes by Van Thanh Le, Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh commented: “A comprehensive and meticulous view of a person who is truly (not pretending to be) interested in children's literature. This person (the author - PV) is willing to read and read carefully, reads with respect for each author and frankly expresses about each work he has read, regardless of who he is, a veteran writer or someone just starting out in the world of writing for children. There are discoveries, admiration. There are comments, regrets. There are shares, expectations... Van Thanh Le used to open his eyes (dream) but cover his ears (listen) and now he closes his eyes to see. Seeing gives him more confidence, keeping his expectations intact.”

"Here's a little something for you"

Author Van Thanh Le believes that literature in particular or literary and artistic creation in general “is still a matter, a personal journey of each author”. He notes and analyzes quite meticulously the changes in the concept and function of children's literature; the movement of the publishing industry, the creative team, the genres; the movement of researchers, critics, press media and even social networks about children's literature and the recent reading promotion work in general.

The author assessed that over the past 25 years, the number of works for children that have remained is only a few that can truly evoke the spirit of children, the words and stories can be friends with children or truly evoke the imagination, hopes and desires of children. Therefore, Van Thanh Le highly appreciates a number of typical works that have created value and impression such as: Just closing my eyes and opening the window (Nguyen Ngoc Thuan), I am Beto (Nguyen Nhat Anh), The most beautiful dragonfly (Cao Xuan Son), Going to the garden to pick up the sun (Nguyen The Hoang Linh), Hot eggplant traveling to Truong Sa (Bui Tieu Quyen), Linh fish goes to school (Le Quang Trang), Dear grandmother, I just came back (Lam)...

“This little bit of news”, author Van Thanh Le sent a few optimistic concluding words as children’s literature gradually steps out of “dogmatic educationalism”. Campaigns and awards for writing for children are increasing. The field of critical research is flourishing, escaping the “desolate afternoon market” scene. Reading culture is spreading and a generation of young authors from 8X to 2K has appeared, clearly embarking on the path of children’s literature with stories closely related to the breath of current events. The book market is getting more attention and the picture book genre has made its mark with quality approaching the world.

Cam Diep

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202507/van-hoc-thieu-nhi-viet-nam-dau-the-ky-21-anh-mat-tam-huyet-tu-van-thanh-le-e61135e/