What this series is about
 
The best way to encourage children to love and care for nature is to make them see and feel the connection between the environment and themselves. This is why environmentally-themed children's books are becoming trendy in many countries, including Vietnam and other SEA nations.
 
The “Enjoying Country Flavor” series consists of 6 small colorful picture books, aimed at readers at the end of kindergarten and beginning of elementary school to create the awareness of the environment.
 
The story takes place in a tropical country (Vietnam), featuring tropical plants, flowers, and animals and the contemporary living styles of Vietnamese people. 
Follow Tôm, a curious 6-year-old boy living in a rural area, to discover lives of farmers and fishermen and their roles in creating a sustainable world.
 
Selling points
 
🚩 The series is very popular among young readers, adults, and academics in Vietnam for its balanced combination between fictional stories and environmental facts.
 
🚩 More than 5,000 copies have been published in less than half a year to sell to families and schools and to join the marketing campaigns of many famous brands in Vietnam.
 
🚩 The book sets in the SEA context, but can also be relatable to the residents of other tropical countries.
 
🚩 A surprising, plot-driven informational story with  thought-provoking puzzles + craft ideas + family activities + a set of stickers in every book.
 
 
Books in the series
Swim, My Little Fish! (Theme: sustainable fisheries)
There Are Not That Many Tree Twigs (Theme: moderate utilisation of natural resource)
Fine Land That My Sweet Apple Falls (Theme: sustainable agriculture)
The Miserable Plastic Bags (Theme: plastic recycling and reuse)
I Forgot My Sleep in the Garden (Theme: global warming)
Abracadabra Banana! (Theme: multi-purpose uses of plants)
 
Meet writer and illustrator
 
Nguyen Huu Quynh Huong
is a writer and environment activist in Vietnam. She has 5-year experience in applying creative writing to environment and education projects. 
 
In 2022, a part of her first book “Sống xanh rồi mới sống nhanh” (Living Green before Living Fast) was selected to feature in the Vietnamese Grade 7th Literature Textbook, which will be used nation-wide from the 2022/2023 education year onwards.
 
Huong got the inspiration to write this series from seeing her little nephew's excitement over nature in the countryside.
 
Hoang Thy Truc Nhi
is an illustrator of children's books, comics, merchandise, and advertisements in Vietnam. 
 
She is most interested in illustrating culture and nature and has been awarded the first prize in many illustrations contests
 
 
“Enjoy the countryside” is being widely discussed online and in academic events in Vietnam
 
"Each book provides a relatable, simple story about nature, trees, gardens. 
 
The messages about protecting the environment, preserving nature, and co-existing sustainably with the surroundings are conveyed through an innocent voice and words that are easy to understand.
 
The lessons or instructions for the little ones are natural and not forceful at all."
 
(Pham Thi Hoai Anh, a Vietnamese Children's Picture Book Author, sharing on her social media)
 
 
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“Enjoy the countryside” in Vietnamese media
 
 
"Children's books serve as companions that awaken children's curiosity to explore nature.
When children are excited, they can absorb more stories, which forge love and desire to protect nature and the environment"
 
- from Báo Văn Hóa (A cultural journal in Vietnam)
 
 
"These six picture books allow young readers to learn and play at the same time.
They make children realise that their actions, even small ones, count."
 
- from Zingnews
 
 
"Children tend to read intently, if they can relate the story to their own experiences
[...] When we tell them about trees and nature
and they have already read these books at home.
They will absorb the new knowledge more easily."
 
- from vovgiaothong