The Garden in Our Hearts Selected for Top 150 List

When we hear about the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, it often feels like a distant, European affair—a whirlwind of publishing houses and artistic accolades happening thousands of miles away. But for those of us here in Seattle, Washington, where the intersection of global art and literary education is woven into our city’s identity, the news that a Vietnamese author has broken fresh ground in Italy hits closer to home than one might reckon. The selection of Pham Quang Phuc’s “The Garden in Our Hearts” for the BRAW Amazing Bookshelf 2026 isn’t just a win for Vietnam; it is a signal to our own local educators, librarians, and parents about the evolving landscape of global children’s literature.

The Global Reach of “The Garden in Our Hearts”

Pham Quang Phuc is not merely an illustrator; he is a multidisciplinary talent who has bridged the gap between visual storytelling and narrative writing. His function, “The Garden in Our Hearts,” published by Crabit Kidbooks in collaboration with Hanoi Publishing House, has achieved a rare feat by being selected among the 150 best books for the Amazing Bookshelf/BolognaRagazzi 2026. This marks the first time a Vietnamese children’s book has been included in this specific prestigious list at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, an event recognized globally for honoring excellence in content, graphic design, and accessibility for young readers.

The narrative depth of the book deals with themes that are universal yet often difficult to navigate: grief, memory, and the process of healing. The story follows a little rabbit coping with the loss of her grandfather. Through the use of a suitcase of gardening tools left behind, the rabbit transforms a withered garden—and her own heart—by sowing seeds of love. This approach to “healing” through art and nature is a trend we are seeing more frequently in pedagogical circles, emphasizing the importance of emotional literacy in early childhood development.

A Proven Track Record of Artistic Excellence

Phuc’s ascent to the Bologna stage is backed by a history of competitive success. Before this latest achievement, he secured first prize in the illustration category for children’s fiction at the ASEAN Children’s Illustration Competition (ICCRF 2018) in Thailand and a fourth prize in the 2015 Vietnam-Denmark Children’s Literature Support Project. His versatility is further evidenced by his contribution as an illustrator for the global version of Harry Potter and his work on “Emperor Penguin (Young Zoologist),” a project by Neon Squid written by Dr. Michelle LaRue designed to inspire future biologists.

For those interested in how these global trends influence our local reading lists, exploring global literary trends can provide a better understanding of why diverse voices are now dominating the international awards circuit. The inclusion of Phuc’s work in the BRAW selection ensures that his vision will be exposed to a vast network of international publishers, copyright agents, and curators, potentially paving the way for more Vietnamese narratives to enter the American market.

Bridging the Gap: From Bologna to the Pacific Northwest

In a city like Seattle, where we value both the intellectual rigor of institutions like the University of Washington and the creative spirit of our independent bookstores, the arrival of such works represents a cultural opportunity. The “BRAW Amazing Bookshelf” serves as a curated guide for the international publishing community, meaning the works selected are often the ones that eventually find their way into our local libraries and specialty shops. When a book is recognized for its “visual structure” and “creativity,” it challenges the traditional boundaries of how children’s stories are told, moving away from simple moral lessons toward complex emotional explorations.

The impact of this news extends beyond the art world. It highlights a shift in the “Knowledge Graph” of children’s publishing, where Southeast Asian artists are no longer just contributors but are leading the conversation on how to handle sensitive topics like the passing of a family member or the first heartbreak a child faces. By integrating these perspectives, we provide our children with a more comprehensive toolkit for emotional resilience.

Navigating Emotional Literacy in the Community

Given my background in analyzing cultural trends and their local applications, as these “healing” narratives become more prevalent, there is a growing need for professional support to help families implement these lessons. If the themes of grief and healing presented in works like “The Garden in Our Hearts” resonate with your family’s current journey here in Seattle, it is essential to connect with the right local expertise to complement these literary tools.

When seeking professional guidance to help children navigate loss or emotional trauma, I recommend looking for these three specific categories of local providers:

Pediatric Grief Counselors

Glance for licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) or psychologists who specialize specifically in childhood bereavement. The key criterion here is “play-therapy” certification, ensuring they can translate complex emotions into a language children understand, much like the metaphors used in Phuc’s gardening narrative.

Specialized Early Childhood Educators

When selecting a preschool or primary educator, prioritize those trained in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks. Request for their specific approach to “emotional literacy” and whether they incorporate diverse, award-winning global literature to help children process complex feelings in a classroom setting.

Art Therapy Practitioners

Since the “healing” in Phuc’s work is tied to the visual and the tactile, seek out board-certified art therapists. Ensure they have experience with “expressive arts,” which allows children to externalize grief through drawing or crafting when words are insufficient.

Integrating high-quality global literature with local professional support creates a holistic environment where children can truly flourish, mirroring the growth of the garden in Pham Quang Phuc’s celebrated work.

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