The program will run from 28/5 to 31/5, under the theme "Picture Books Supporting Children in Difficult Circumstances". A highlight of the event is an exhibition titled "100 Vietnamese Picture Books to Love and Remember", showcasing the 20-year development (2006-2026) of domestic picture books. This exhibition will be held concurrently at the Ho Chi Minh City General Sciences Library and Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.

Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong, founder and director of Slowbooks and head of the organizing committee, stated that from an initial pool of approximately 250 titles, the selection committee chose about 100 representative books to present to readers.

The exhibition aims to foster collaboration and copyright transactions between domestic and international publishing houses, thereby helping Vietnamese books reach the global market. Representatives from publishing industries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka will attend the festival.

The festival is expected to host over 10 workshops and seminars for illustrators, authors, students, publishing researchers, and educators. Discussions will cover topics such as: "How Do Picture Books and Comics Differ?", "Should Picture Books Be Considered a Literary Genre?", and "The Role of Picture Books in Supporting Children During Difficult Periods of Life".

Some picture books will be displayed in the exhibition "100 Vietnamese Picture Books to Love and Remember". Photo: Binh Minh

International experts in picture books and art education will also participate, exchanging experiences with Vietnamese authors and publishers. The involvement of the Korean Picture Book Publishers Association offers an opportunity for interaction, exhibition, and knowledge sharing from one of the world's leading picture book industries. Attendees will have access to over 66 works from South Korea at the festival.

Beyond professional activities, the program includes dedicated spaces for children to engage in activities like reading combined with creative workshops. These include: "Smart Baby", "Dad's Treasure", the interactive reading "Give Me a Share Too", "Bell the Cat", the Bunagaya series, and Slowbooks for preschoolers.

In many countries, picture books are a significant genre in children's publishing, boasting a history of over 140 years and a presence at major international book fairs. "In contrast, Vietnam possesses many resources: talented authors, skilled illustrators, publishers, and numerous distribution units that have focused on picture books since around 2018. Some entities even specialize solely in picture books. However, what is still missing is a platform to connect professionals in the field", Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong noted.

Binh Minh