Our new friend, Der kleine Wassermann (The Little Water-Sprite)

Last Saturday, I was introduced to a very lovely friend, Der kleine Wassermann (The Little Water-Sprite in English) in a Children reading morning during European Literature Days in Hanoi. I sometimes take part in such kind of activities but this time I have chance to enjoy as a guest. This is how people tell about the story: “One spring day a little water-sprite was born in a mill pond. Like all true water-sprites he had webbed hands and green eyes and hair. As soon as he could swim he explored the cool green world of the pond, and was even allowed to visit the world outside, as long as he did not let his feet get dry! The curious and cheeky little water-sprite had lots of adventures both in and out of the pond. Sometimes his fun and games got him into trouble, but life was always exciting”(From Goodreads)

It didn’t need to tell how excited children were when they took part in this event. They were fond of strange but lovely little friend described in the book. And the translator did a very good job that they feel like they are really living in the story. Even before the Reading game really started, many children already got lost in the world of the book. The parents who went with their children to the Reading show were also attracted by the book. One told me that she couldn’t wait to read it. I must say that I really enjoy seeing all these things, especially when I didn’t have to worry that if I did anything the right way, hehe.Under the guiding of MC – Ms. Thụy Anh, the president of the club Read books with our children – also the one who was in charge in creating all activities of the show, children read some part of the book, answered many questions and took part in many interesting games related to the book. I was so impressed with those games that I forgot taking picture .And my favorite one was the Making meal menu contest. They invented many interesting and of course weird dishes for their new friend, the Little Water- Sprite.Later, the translator, Tạ Quang Hiệp, told me that most German have read this book since 1956. Wow, the Little Water- Sprite seems not young any more, if you count his age, but still so lovely that most children love him right at the first time they meet. The author really knew how to spell his reader. And now I’ve just heard from the translator that there are four other Otfried Preussler’s books had been translated into Vietnamese (and already published, including Krabat, my favourite story). No wonder that they soon will be on my bookshelf.