Put the Phone Down

A picture book for children (0-6 years old) from the authors of “This is Tet” and “Xom Om Xom” (A Noisy Hamlet).

Pennie Brownlee and Kimberley Crisp in the book 'The Sacred Urge to Play' likened giving a phone to a child to the action of the witch giving a ripe apple to Snow White. The apple is very beautiful, very fragrant and very delicious, but when Snow White bites it, she immediately entered a long sleep.

With Put The Phone Down, Now!, you will follow the relatable process of reducing phone use of little Na and her family, pondering the how of reorganizing our lives to enjoy life without excessive phone use.

What kind of environment do we need to create to invite children to play on their own? What items open up independent activities? What age should play start? What is learning through play? Researching in-depth about 'Play' in the Early Education program at Portland State University, author Bui Phuong Tam wrote this book, with words, details, and images deliberately considered and conveyed consistently through Hoang Giang's artwork.

About the authors:

Bui Phuong Tam was born in Hanoi, graduated from National University of Singapore and is currently living in Ho Chi Minh City. In her evenings, she has been reading bedtime stories to her daughter and writing stories that celebrate family values, which she believes are the fundamental foundation for any child to grow into a happy person. Her first picture book "This is Tết!" has become a favorite story book for many Vietnamese children. Tam is currently pursuing a Master Program in Early Childhood – Inclusive Education with a major in Constructivism at Portland State University.

Hoang Giang was born in Dalat and obtained her Master's degree in Illustration&Book Art at Anglia Ruskin University, UK. Giang has been illustrating children's books for more than 10 years now. She also challenges herself with comics and graphic novel, and is the author of "Choice" – a short graphic novel and "Xom Om Xom" (A Noisy Hamlet) - a comic series.

Giang has a small studio in Saigon named Lá with her partner and three cats. She has been trying hard to find time for piano these days.