Book week brings literature to youth (Cinet 21-6-2008)

[bachkylan]

Book week brings literature to youth

A special book show at the HCM City’s Exhibition House, which includes more than 500,000 titles, has attracted many parents and their children.

The 2008 Summer Book Week show is organised by Tre (Youth) and Kim Dong, the country’s two leading State-owned publishers for children.

The Tre Publishing House is introducing books for teenagers written by young Vietnamese authors, such as Mua La Do (Fall Season) by Tran Huyen Trang, Nhung Ke Lang Man (Romantic Men) by La Thi Anh Huong, and Hoa Bat Tu O Houston (Immortal Flower in Houston) by Phuong Trinh.

These books portray urban youth, particularly girls who brave challenges in life and in their studies.

The Kim Dong collections of books on different themes of popular science, natural geography and history, attracts children aged under 15. These books feature colourful pictures that help readers learn more about the world.

Its handbooks on sex education are useful for both teenagers and their parents. Most books are on sale at a discount of 70 per cent.

"We want to bring books at low prices to our customers," said Quach Thu Nguyet, director of the Tre Publishing House, who hopes the event will encourage reading this summer.

During the event’s opening ceremony on Sunday, writer Nguyen Nhat Anh shared his passion and experience with fans.

One of the city’s few authors involved in writing for children, Anh’s books such as Kinh Van Hoa (Kaleidoscope) and Thang Quy Nho (The Ugly Boy) have attracted several thousand children and teenagers.

Last year, Anh’s latest book, Cho Xin Mot Ve Di Ve Tuoi Tho (Give Me a Ticket Back to Childhood) sold a record (for children’s books) 20,000 copies in the first week of release.

The event also offers local and foreign books published by private publishers like First News and Phuong Nam.

The show is at 92 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1. It is open every day from 8am to 9pm until Sunday.

Source: VNS

21-6-2008

(Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam)