Snowy summer opens up hope for Vietnamese cat series?

Writer Gia Bao signs books for children - Photo: HOANG LE

This question made the atmosphere of the exchange and book launch of Snowy Summer on March 23 at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street become exciting from the very first minutes.

Summer with Snow written from true stories

Snowy Summer is the third book by author Gia Bao whose main character is a cat (the previous two books are Soai ca meo mai tile and Nong trang hoa duc biec). This time it is Luis the cat on a journey with his owner Mami - a Vietnamese student studying abroad across America.

Book Snowy Summer - Photo: HOANG LE

"The characters are all real. I personally joined this journey, experiencing life with international students from different countries in the US.

Of course, it takes flour to make glue. The emotions in the writings come from real characters. The other characters are a little fictional," she replied.

Author Gia Bao shared that when she started writing Snowy Summer, she determined that the target audience would be elementary school students.

She hopes that after reading the book, children will learn small things, thereby forming good habits and behaviors.

"Luis the cat was taught to be a learned cat from small details, like knowing how to say thank you and apologize when he did something wrong.

Luis was sad so he took the tissues and scattered them all over the house. He knew it was just a child's game but he shouldn't do that because it would create a mess in the house.

Children are afraid of vaccinations because of the pain, but vaccinations are very important to protect their health. From that small detail, I formed an outline and started writing," Gia Bao shared.

Will there be a series about cats?

Poet and journalist Tran Quoc Toan, when meeting with the author, boasted that he had read the book twice.

On page 25 of the book, the story tells of a little girl named Mami who, when she was sick, craved the Vietnamese dish of white rice porridge with fish sauce. But Mami did not cook this dish because she was afraid that the smell of fish sauce would affect her American roommates.

Writer Gia Bao answers questions from children at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street - Photo: HOANG LE

Poet Tran Quoc Toan noted in his book that it was a "sacrifice". Author Gia Bao wrote: "I smell the fragrance but others don't. I politely don't cook, it's better to suppress my cravings!"

"A good educational book has educational issues that are hidden well. Even after reading it, readers still have to find out what it teaches," Mr. Tran Quoc Toan concluded.

Fairy tales and myths are always popular around the world. The appeal lies in the fact that animals are personified and can speak.

A young reader goes on stage to share with writer Gia Bao - Photo: HOANG LE

Poet Le Minh Quoc hopes: "When Gia Bao created the image of the cat, I think she was on the right track. Her previous works also featured the image of a cat.

After the story "Summer with Snow ", will there be another book about cats? We haven't had many writers who go through the characters like Gia Bao wrote.

The book launch was attended by many students, primary and secondary school students.

The children gave comments or asked cute questions to the author: "Luis the cat is friendly and approachable", "Do you have any favorite things?". One suggested: "Next time, please write a little longer. I'm not satisfied with reading it yet".

Ms. Nhu Ngoc, who lives in District 11, happened to pass by the Book Street and learned about the exchange so she brought her children along.

Thai Phong and his mother attentively read the book Snowy Summer - Photo: HOANG LE

Little boy Thai Phong, a 5th grader at Au Co Primary School, seemed to be oblivious to his surroundings and was just focused on reading Snowy Summer that his mother had just bought. At the end of the exchange, he finished reading the last page.

And according to Ms. Nhu Ngoc, the cat Luis's adventure continued to be passed on to Thai Phong's sister and younger brother.

Author Gia Bao was born in 1971 in Saigon.

Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of the Vom Me Xanh literary group of Muc Tim newspaper. Published books include: Turn away and cry, Seagrass, Villages on the slope, Soai ca meo mai tile roof, Nong trang pea flower farm.

She is currently deputy editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper, in charge of the Red Scarf publication block.

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HOANG LE