IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Young author Huỳnh Trọng Khang’s 'Khu Rừng Trong Chai' (Forest in the Bottle) sends the message of protecting the environment and the planet to child readers. — Photo courtesy of Phương Nam Books

HCM CITY — Hundreds of new picture books on a variety of topics by Vietnamese and international authors have been introduced to increase children’s interest in reading.

Young author Huỳnh Trọng Khang has just released his latest children’s book titled Khu Rừng Trong Chai (Forest in the Bottle) at the third HCM City Book Fair for Children held earlier this month.

The 60-page book, published by Phương Nam Books, has attractive and colourful drawings by young painter Nguyễn Nhân, but contains a serious message on environmental protection.

Khu Rừng Trong Chai tells the story of a boy named An An who is given a seed by a candy vendor. He plants it in a bottle. The seed later grows into a forest. As time goes by, the forest is gradually disappearing, and being replaced by skyscrapers and pollution. However, by the end, the forest is still there.

“The book sends lessons about loving our earth and environmental protection to both children and adults, and calls for them to act for our planet,” Khang said.

“Children can plant their own seeds and turn them into small forests. Millions of small forests combine to form big forests that help to save our planet.”

Born in 1994 in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, Khang is known for short stories about life and youth such as Mộ Phần Tuổi Trẻ (Tomb of Youth) and Bể Trăng Côi (Lonely Moon).

In 2020, Khang collaborated with author Chung Bảo Ngân and illustrator Trần Quốc Anh to release the bilingual book Bơ Không Phải Để Ăn (Bơ Is not for Eating) in Vietnamese and English.

The book, published by the Việt Nam Women Publishing House, consists of three short stories about the adventures of an avocado named Bơ to discover the world.

Khang said his favourite topic was philosophy, but he wanted to challenge himself. “I also love to write for children and bring them quality books,” he said.

Child readers enjoy reading books at the HCM City Book Pedestrian Street. Photo from the book street’s Facebook page

The picture poem book titled Ba Tớ Là Runner (My Dad is a Runner) by author Bùi Phương Tâm is published by the Kim Đồng Publishing House with two editions in Vietnamese and English.

The book brings child readers the story of a father who tries to balance between his passion and his family, and motivate children to pursue their own dreams and passions and make the right choices in life.

The 48-page book is illustrated by Jeet ZDũng, co-author and illustrator of two popular children’s bilingual graphic novels Chang Hoang Dã – Gấu (Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear) and Chang Hoang Dã – Voi (Saving H’non: Chang and the Elephant).

Tâm began writing for children as a mother. Her first picture book, This is Tết!, has been translated into many languages and has become a favorite book for Vietnamese children in many countries. She is pursuing studies in early childhood education at Portland State University in the US.

Kids’ encyclopedia

The Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House has released a box set of Vietnamese editions of 20 titles from the famous series The Knowledge, Horrible Science, Horrible Geography and Horrible Histories

These books are written and illustrated by Kjartan Poskitt, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, Anita Ganeri, Terry Deary, Martin Oliver, and Nick Arnold.

The works consist of funny stories and illustrations that help children to increase their interest in and knowledge of science, history, and geography.

According to the publisher, the box set is suitable for children aged 10 and above, and even adults who want to learn more knowledge.

The publishing house also presents a set of 16 colour comic books titled Lịch Sử Việt Nam (The History of Việt Nam).

Each book tells the story of the life and career of Vietnamese heroes such as the Trưng Sisters and Trần Hưng Đạo, as well as the country’s important events.

All books are available at bookstores across the country. — VNS