 Kim Dong Publishing House's collections of 65 beautiful poems and 65 beautiful short stories for children |
Poet Cao Xuan Son, former Deputy Director of Kim Dong Publishing House, said that no publisher can replace the Kim Dong Publishing House in the hearts of Vietnamese children. The collections of short stories and poems illustrate the Kim Dong Publishing House’s dedication to children.
The 65 short stories and 65 poems review the imprints of Vietnamese children's literature over the past six decades. Poet Cao Xuan Son said that he was happy but felt great pressure to be in charge of selecting poems for the collection.
 Poet Cao Xuan Son at the debut of Kim Dong's special collection |
“I wanted to select more than 65 poems. There are many poems that deserve to appear in the collection. It is a demanding job. The first criterion is that it must be interesting. Second is surprising to avoid the boredom of repeating classic anthologies from the past to present. It took me a lot of time to weigh the new and the familiar. For well-known authors, I didn’t select their popular poems, but chose works that few people know as they are actually very poetic and beautiful. For example, the poem "This earth is ours” by poet Đinh Hải, who is considered a master of children’s poems, has been popular for a long time and is set to music for singing. But I chose his poem “The ants go” because it is very interesting in content, cohesion, and structure. The children sing it too,” said Son.
Poet Xuan Son explained why he selected the poem “I’m a little rose” by Trinh Cong Son for the Kim Dong Publishing House’s collection to mark its 65th founding anniversary.
“I’m a little rose” is an amazingly beautiful poem by Trinh Cong Son, especially when it is sung. The verses are meaningful and melodious. I believe that authors who are not listed in this book will not be surprised. Each poem has its history as well as a reason for its existence in a certain space,” Son said.
The lyrics go “I will be mother's spring. I will be father’s sunshine. At school I learn so much that's new. My smiling lips, they bloom.
 Stories in Kim Dong's Golden Bookcase to be selected for reprinting |
In Kim Dong’s beautifully printed publications, readers revisit literary and poetic works, which are closely associated with their childhood but in a new look, and enjoy unique works that were first released, said poet Xuan Son.
The selected works are Vietnamese classic literary novels, historical stories, stories and poems in the Golden Bookcase, Adolescent Bookcase, Imprints of the New Generation, and world literature. Writer Doan Phương Huyen shared her feeling to have a story selected for this collection.
“I’m very happy that one of my books in Kim Dong’s in the Adolescent Bookcase was chosen to be re-printed to celebrate Kim Dong Publishing House’s 65th anniversary. The “Sunshine in the street” will have a new cover and lovely illustration,” Huyen said.
 Nguyen Huy Thang, former Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief of Kim Dong Publishing House |
Nguyen Huy Thang, former Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief of Kim Dong Publishing House, is the author and co-author of several books on natural and social science, history, geography, and Vietnamese customs.
“Kim Đồng has two voluminous books which are Vietnamese folk comics and Vietnamese historical comics. The two series are compiled of hundreds of books written and illustrated by Vietnam’s famous writers and painters, for example painter Mai Long, painter Ta Thuc Binh, painter Ngo Manh Lan, writer To Hoai, writer Ha An, and writer Nguyen Huy Tuong. Kim Dong also categorized the stories to make thematic publications such as the best Vietnamese fairy tales about family affection, old customs, and the most popular Vietnamese fairy tales. These stories are popular and have been reprinted many times. I have an idea to printan anthology book of authors.”
 Wild Chang and Elephant |
Hoang Thanh Thuy, Head of the Science Book Section of Kim Dong Publishing House, said that a number of science books have inspired readers of different ages. Most recently published are Wild Chang and Elephant, a volume in a series about wildlife protection, Formation of the Earth, Speeches that changed the world since 1945, and 21 female influencers of the world in science, education, art, and peace.
“With beautiful graphics and an improvement in content presentation, science books are no longer rigid topics. They are greatly supported by visual improvements or presentation of content in a fictional way. The line between science and literature is rather relative,” Thuy said.
Tran Tien Cong, the founder of Vietnam Coaching Institute, had one book selected for Kim Dong’s 65th anniversary. Freelance Coach written by Tran Tien Cong and Bui Ngoc Thu talks about Coaching, a new job in Vietnam.
“I hope to be able to inspire people and help them learn more about the coaching profession. Coaching will help people, not only young people who are choosing a career but also adults like me and older people, find their life missions and their goals and realize their dreams,” Cong said.
Over the years Kim Dong Publishing House has improved its trademark in both content and arts.
In the difficult times of the publishing industry, Kim Dong has exerted great efforts to collaborate with writers and leading book illustrators, while regularly updating new trends and cooperating with foreign publishersfor cultural projects to improve the staff’s profession.
Dang Cao Cuong, Head of Kim Dong Comic Compilation talked about “Son Goal”, a comic series about the journey of a Vietnamese boy named Son in Vietnam. This manga is written by Japanese artist Baba Tamio in Japanese and Kadokawa Publishing House cooperated with Kim Dong Publishing House to translate and publish it in Vietnam.
“In the collection to celebrate Kim Dong’s 65th anniversary, we will debut “Son Goal”, the first Japanese manga series about Vietnamese football, cultural features, and famous landscapes. This is a cooperative project with Japan. There are some Japanese manga authors writing for Vietnamese readers and we bought their books to translate into Vietnamese and publish. “Son Goal” is the first one we have worked on together from the beginning, that is brainstorming ideas, writing scripts, making sketch, and completing each page,” Cuong said.
Mr. Cuong said the character Son and his close friend spread their energy and the spirit of sport to overcome oneself to all his teammates. It’s a message that the authors, the illustrator, and the editorial board want to convey to readers.
Kim Dong’s art and classic books are carefully compiled in content and presentation, with several books taking 2 to 4 years to complete.
Painter Vu Xuan Hoan, who is in charge of art at Kim Dong Publishing House, said the project to celebrate Kim Dong’s 65th anniversary involves 81 painters of all ages. They are senior illustrators whose names are closely associated with Kim Dong’s Golden Bookcase. Working alongside senior colleagues are young, famous painters, who are dedicated to children’s books. They have brought new energy and excitement to Kim Dong’s publications and produced beautiful and meaningful books for Vietnamese children.