Reviving children's literature

Efforts from campaigns and awards

Earlier this year, the Vietnam Writers Association launched a five-year children's literature writing campaign, awarding many valuable prizes. This is a timely and significant effort to spread a new genre of literature to what is considered the future of the country. Sharing his expectations for this campaign, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, President of the Vietnam Writers Association, said: “I think this children's literature writing campaign will open a new era for children's literature after a long period of stagnation. Launching a strategic campaign has the potential to create expectations: to inspire new ideas and a sense of responsibility in writers regarding children's literature; to bring about changes in poetics and genres to innovate children's literature; and to produce excellent works in the field of children's literature by Vietnamese writers.”

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented a donation to support the literary campaign on children's themes to the Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, Nguyen Quang Thieu.

At the end of 2021, the Mai Vàng Award was bestowed for the first time upon a literary work: the novel "Cà Nóng's Journey to Trường Sa" by writer Bùi Tiểu Quyên. This book, written after a firsthand experience in Trường Sa, attracted a large young readership and made a significant impact on the literary scene. On October 3rd, this children's novel was also honored with the C prize at the 5th National Book Awards. However, creating a children's work that has such a positive impact is no easy feat.

Writer Bui Tieu Quyen shared the elements that attract young readers: “Writing for children is always a challenge for writers. To create a work that attracts young readers, first and foremost, it must be close to and authentic to the world of childhood and, to some extent, pique their curiosity. Children are innocent but also very discerning; if they find the first few pages, or even the first few lines of a story, unfamiliar, lacking in curiosity, imagination, and a desire to explore, they may not read further. Secondly, humor is key. This is due to the storytelling talent of each writer. Creating humorous and comical situations in the work softens the story and brings enjoyment to both young and adult readers. Thirdly, the story must convey a humanistic message, with educational value for children, but it cannot be forced, imposed, or dogmatic. Each writer will have different ways of telling stories, exploring themes, and conveying messages, but no matter what, it must still be "We need to put ourselves in the perspective/understanding of young children, comprehend what they want, and play with them with that sharing and understanding."

Students read books in the school library. Photo: My Ha

Join hands to start the stream.

The efforts of authors, without the collaborative support of publishers and distributors, cannot create a strong impact for children's books. Many publishers and distributors have not focused on children's books in recent years, with only a few showing interest, such as Kim Dong, Linh Lan Books, and Sbooks…

Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung – Director of Sbooks – is a young person who entered the book publishing industry with the mindset of nurturing literature. The advantage of young people in the book industry is their ability to apply technology to management and distribution to streamline and standardize the promotion of books through media. Sbooks is also a company that boldly invests in children's books. In the summer of 2022, Sbooks released several children's literature titles, such as the poetry collection "Fragrant Lamps" by writer Ho Huy Son, and the novella "The Miracle Under the Cherry Tree" by writer Vo Thu Huong...

Students from Dien Thinh Primary School, Dien Chau district, participate in the Reading Festival. Photo: Canh Yen.

Sharing his reasons for boldly investing in children's literature and his steps in this endeavor, the young director confided: "Sbooks recognizes that books written for children play a crucial and pivotal role in building a sustainable reading culture for a nation. The process of building a reading culture is a very long and continuous journey, so Sbooks wishes to dedicate many children's books as gifts of knowledge, contributing to the nurturing of souls and the intellectual development of the younger generation."

It is known that many publications for children have been, are being, and will be released to serve young readers. These include the work "The Age of Fairies" and a series of six children's books soon to be published. The selection and review of topics, themes, and content suitable for children's books must be careful and rigorous, because the profound impressions made during reading will greatly impact the cognitive foundation of young children. Children have specific reading criteria and standards; therefore, to ensure that young readers enthusiastically embrace publications, authors and publishers must constantly research and explore ways to address their interests and preferences. This helps stimulate their senses and imagination, and ignite a passion for books.

But if children's literature relies solely on creative writing campaigns, the efforts of writers, and the attention of publishing and distribution companies, will that be enough to break free from its rut? Poet Nguyen Quang Thieu - President of the Vietnam Writers Association - shared some very insightful opinions: “First and foremost, we must have excellent children's books that have the power to captivate young readers. Once we have excellent works, we must find every way to get those works to young readers. The project "Free Books for Children in Mountainous and Remote Areas" is a starting point and has shown positive signs. The Vietnam Writers Association brings books directly to children instead of piling them up in libraries or cultural centers. Children are beginning to have the right to own books. Therefore, their attachment to books has changed, and step by step, they will find their lives and dreams through books. Along with that, we need to create forums to promote reading among children through families and schools. If parents and teachers are indifferent to books, children will also be indifferent to books. We must make society understand in a tangible way that books are a miracle that transforms their children.” They become kind people. A child who doesn't have feelings for books won't have feelings for people either.”

Clearly, with the passion and dedication of the writers, and the support and wholehearted commitment of publishers and distributors, to further revitalize children's literature, many factors are still needed, including the influence, choices, and shaping of reading culture for children. The joint efforts and support from agencies, departments, and specialized competitions are essential to make children's literature a fertile ground for sowing seeds, sprouting branches, and bearing fruit. The time is not short, but if we don't work together to revitalize it now, in five or ten years, children's literature will remain a quiet stream amidst the many vibrant currents of literature.