KIDS LOVE BOOKS - Children visit the fourth HCM City Book Fair for Children, which is open at the Book Pedestrian Street until June 7. VNA/VNS Photo Thu Hoài

HCM CITY — More than 16,000 titles of children’s books by local and foreign authors are featured at the fourth HCM City Book Fair for Children, which is opening at the Book Pedestrian Street in District 1.

The fair, organised by the Department of Information and Communications and its partners, aims to promote the habit of reading among children and teenagers.

The event attracts more than 20 leading publishers and book distributors, including Kim Đồng Publishing House, Phương Nam Book Company and Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House, introducing books in different fields of literature, history, geography, science, and self-development skills.

The highlighted books include Tâm Hồn Cao Thượng, the Vietnamese edition of Italian author Edmondo de Amicis’ novel Cuore (Heart), Ông Ba Bị và Những Đứa Trẻ Trong Mơ (Bogeyman’s Journey to Children’s Dream) by Lạc An, and Khu Rừng Trong Chai (The Forest in the Bottle) by Huỳnh Trọng Khang. 

The organisers will host an audio drama based on Vụ án đầu tiên của Sherlock Holmes: Cuộc điều tra màu đỏ, Vietnamese edition of the 1887 detective novel A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle to mark the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, on June 3.

The fair will also present music performances presenting soundtracks from Vietnamese films for children and summer songs, as well as a performance of tài tử music, a traditional music genre in the South.

A discussion about children with technology will be held to provide knowledge and skills on how to use digital devices and social media platforms.

The book fair remains open until June 7.

In addition, the department will also launch the first HCM City Children’s Book Awards.

The awards aim to honour children’s authors and encourage them to write more quality works for children.

The entries will include the four categories of novels, poems, comic books and self-development books.

Vietnamese authors are encouraged to send their works to the Department of Information and Communications at 59 Lý Tự Trọng Street in District 1 by January 31.

The winners will be announced in June 2024. — VNS