“Sweet fruit” for summer

In late June, a series of new children's works were continuously introduced to young readers nationwide. It is worth mentioning that these works are the "sweet fruits" of the 1st phase of the Children's Literature Creation Campaign 2021-2023 organized by the Vietnam Writers Association.

From the pure verses

The special attention paid to children's poetry in recent years has more or less created new vitality for the creative force. Authors from many generations have together created a colorful garden of Vietnamese children's poetry.

Besides new and young authors who are regaining their strength, children's poetry records the perseverance of previous generations, such as Nguyen Minh Khiem (born 1952) with The River Just Walks and Grows (third prize) and Dang Toan (1969) with The Sun Stops Being Sick (encouragement prize).

Writer Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien (second from right) has just received second prize at the first Kim Dong Literature Award.

The poetry collection The River Just Walks and Grows (Kim Dong Publishing House) also marks the return to children's literature after 30 years of poet Nguyen Minh Khiem. The 34 poems are 34 levels of emotions and humorous, funny stories expressed in poetry. There, young readers will hear "uncle" Nguyen Minh Khiem explain natural phenomena and things through humorous stories and interesting associations: The sea looks for a salt pot/ Seeing white, thinking it is sugar/ So the sea picks it up and eats it/ And the sea begins to thirst .

There are many more poems such as The River Goes and Grows, The Lonely Banyan Tree, Grass Becomes Bamboo, Rain Brings Miracles ... which not only bring pure, innocent emotions but also show a soul that loves children passionately.

The Sun Heals from Illness (East-West and Writers Association Publishing House) is an effort by poet Dang Toan in his journey to reach young readers from familiar materials. Notable among them are poems about animals such as: woodpeckers, puppies, chickens, ducks, bear cubs, etc.

Through simple verses with a clear perspective, all creatures appear vivid and joyful like a bridge to connect children's souls with nature, to discover and be grateful for the beauty that nature bestows upon humans: So many beautiful colors / Give way to flowers / Mother Earth is simple / Just wears brown clothes!

To the first works

Coincidentally, both third prize winning works: Con Cao Lua by Pham Thanh Thuy and Di Cap Noi Buon by Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien are their first works written for children after a period of time when both authors made their mark in literature for adults.

Another coincidence is that both Pham Thanh Thuy and Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien are mothers with young children. Perhaps that is why the desire and passion to write for their children and younger siblings is a compelling source of inspiration.

The main character of Catching Sadness is a 7-year-old boy named Ken. Ken and his parents live in a peaceful small neighborhood in the city, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new member to the family.

Nguyen Thi Nhu Hien portrayed the vivid, colorful life of the boy Ken alongside his peers such as Nam, Dong Nam, Tri; or the nervous mood when he was about to "become" the second brother.

Along with that, the story also opens up with small, vulnerable lives like Mr. Tu and the boy Thom. Through small, natural stories that skillfully mention loss, the author quietly sows the seeds of compassion in the hearts of the boy Ken and young readers, so that they can love and care for those around them.

Using the fairy tale format, Pham Thanh Thuy brings the story of the Fire Fox with many interesting and unique things. Instead of being evil and cunning as the familiar default of foxes, in Fire Fox , she has created and brought a fox with a new image: beautiful, intelligent and lonely.

The Fire Fox has bright yellow fur and a big bushy tail that looks like it's wearing a mop on its back. However, because he once stole chickens and ducks from people to eat, he always has to face danger from a talented hunter named Phan.

With extraordinary effort, Fire Fox gradually changed, overcoming obstacles to be able to live peacefully and happily with his friends: Cat, Brown Squirrel, Chicken...

In the first round of the 2021-2023 children's literature writing campaign, there are still some manuscripts ready to be published, such as: Cats are not born just to be caught and photographed (first prize); Oh chestnut, let's go home (second prize); The kitchen tells a story (third prize); Earth's coat, sky's coat; Who is the richest; Kindness stays (encouragement prize).

The 6th De Men Children's Award 2025 has just announced the results. In addition to the published works, some manuscripts are also preparing to be published such as: There is a flat Earth in your eyes; 120 years of wandering of the Greek gray-black turtle; A oi ...

LE AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/trai-ngot-cho-mua-he-post801131.html