“Hallo! Hallo! – A Showcase of German Children's Picture Books and Comics” is a vibrant greeting sent to young readers in Vietnam on the occasion of European Literature Days 2026, initiated by the Goethe-Institut Hanoi and the Frankfurt Book Fair. The showcase is co-organized by The Initiative of Children's Book Creative Content (ICBC), with the support of Kim Dong Publishing House and Crabit Kidbooks.

INTRODUCTION

The showcase presents a rich and thoughtfully curated selection of German children’s picture books and comics, including 33 outstanding contemporary German-language titles recommended by the Frankfurt Book Fair, alongside 15 German picture books that have been published in Vietnam by Kim Dong Publishing House and Crabit Kidbooks.

It is also a rare occasion that brings together many outstanding German children’s authors such as Christine Nöstlinger, Isabel Pin, Ole Könnecke, and Marc-Uwe Kling. At the same time, it reflects the remarkable diversity of contemporary German children’s literature, ranging from intimate, everyday stories and lively journeys of exploration to imaginative, humorous, and delightfully quirky narratives.

These distinctive contents are conveyed to young readers through a wide range of illustration styles, each rich in character: from minimalist and highly expressive to detailed and exploratory; from restrained color palettes to vibrant, dynamic spreads. In German children’s books, illustrations do not simply accompany the text, they are a storytelling language of their own, opening spaces for readers to actively participate in meaning-making. It is precisely this close interplay between meaningful content, inventive illustration, and a deep respect for the child reader that shapes the unique identity of German children’s books, at once familiar and refreshing, educational yet filled with the joy of discovery.

The titles selected for the “Hallo! Hallo!” exhibition also represent a wide range of genres and age groups, from picturebooks and wordless books to interactive books, comics, and graphic novels, creating an open reading space that welcomes all audiences, where every child, regardless of age, can find resonance and inspiration for exploration.

A special highlight of the exhibition is the dedicated display of six works by the featured author Ole Könnecke, along with the satellite event “Reading marathon with Ole Könnecke: Magic, Music & Mystery”, taking place on May 9, 2026.