Three books for children by late author Vo Quang of Quang Nam Province, a leading writer of contemporary literature between the 1940s and 1960s, have been reprinted by the Kim Dong Publishing House.

Themes of friendship, love and dreams, with highlights about Vietnamese culture and lifestyle, are featured in children's books by the late author Vo Quang, a leading writer of contemporary literature. His books have been reprinted by the Kim Đồng Publishing House to celebrate the author’s 100th birthday anniversary. — Photo courtesy of the publisher

The publication celebrates the author’s 100th birthday anniversary.

The books include Nhung Truyen Hay Viat Cho Thieu Nhi Cua Vo Quang (The Best Stories for Children by Vo Quang), Que Noi (Fatherland) and Truyen Dong Thoai Vo Quang (Stories of Animals by Vo Quang), which were selected from many of the writer's books.

All of the books feature the themes of friendship, love and dreams, with highlights about Vietnamese culture and lifestyle. The natural world, animals and plants are also featured.

The novel Que Noi was first published by Kim Dong Publishing House in 1974. It tells the story of Cục, a boy from Quang Nam’s Hoa Phuoc Village, the writer’s homeland, who lives during the nation’s August Revolutionary period in 1945.

The work is in praise of patriotism, bravery and honesty. Urban life, love and family are also highlighted. The book was translated into French and Russian by Alice Kahn and Inna Zimonina, respectively.

“Vo Quang’s children books are still fresh today. They provide young readers with knowledge about Việt Nam’s history and culture. Through his writing, readers can improve their mind and character,” said literary critic Le Nhat Ky.

Author and translator Quang was born in 1920. He took part in the resistance war against the French from 1935 and 1941, and was a member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and moved to work in the north after 1954.

Quang was a founder and former director of Kim Dong Publishing House, and also a member of the Viet Nam Writers' Association.

He began his writing career in 1954 after his first short stories and poems for children were released in Quang Nam.

He wrote more than 30 fiction books, and many short stories, poems and screenplays for theatre and films. His famous books, including Cai Mai (The World of Mai) released in 1967 and Vuon Hu (Screaming Apes) released in 1993, are about children and their points of view.

Readers call Quang the “Mark Twain of Viet Nam” because his children books feature magical adventure stories. Many of his works have been reprinted several times, attracting millions of young readers from different generations.

Quang passed away in Ha Noi in 2007. He received the Government Prize in Literature and Arts, the highest-ranking award of its kind in the country. 

Source: VNS