Parents look at discounted books at the HCM City first Book Fair for Children held from September 27-29 on Book Pedestrian Street in District 1. — VNS Photo by Phương Mai

HCM CITY — The first Book Fair for Children to recommend quality books by local and foreign authors for children of different ages is being held on HCM City's Pedestrian Book Street from September 27-29.

Themed “Open up the Book – Light up the Future”, the event is organised by the HCM City Department of Information and Communications and its partners including the Book Street Company.

The fair offers more than 10,000 copies of books, mostly literature and comics, from 30 local publishers and distributors including Kim Đồng Publishing House, Phương Nam Book Company, and Thái Hà Book Joint Stock Company. 

Phương Nam Book Company is introducing new books about environmental protection by local and foreign authors. They are The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohllber, Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, Những Thiên Thần Của Người Gác Rừng (Angels of Forest Guard) by Phương Huyền and Trăm Năm Hữu Hạn (Finite Nature) by Phạm Lư Ân.

Best-selling titles by Vietnamese authors Nguyễn Nhật Ánh like Làm Bạn Với Bầu Trời (Being Friend with the Sky) and Mắt Biếc (Blue Eyes) are also featured.

The fair offers comic books, colouring books and reference books. 

The organisers have launched a painting exhibition of 40 works by students from Vinschool. The paintings feature covers of children’s books as well as characters in the books.

A talk show with author Phương Huyền about her love for nature will be held today.

There will also be book readings and reviews, game and painting corners, and origami instruction.

The book fair aims to promote a reading culture and habit among children, organisers said. 

During the event, stores on Book Street are offering 20-50 per cent discounts on all books for children.

Book Street is located on Nguyễn Văn Bình Street in District 1. — VNS