A Selection of Children's and Young Adult Literature from Singapore
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A Selection of Children’s and Young Adult Literature from Singapore
Foreword
“Once Upon A Garden City” conjures a time and place A complex potpourri of different cultures, histories,
of imagination. and influences is evident from a glance at the linguistic
diversity of the authors’ names. It is also the source of
A time that is distant but also perennially present in the inspiration for some of the books.
way that all fairy tales seem to come from a long time
ago and yet, still, they speak powerfully to us today. At their core, these are not English, Malay, Chinese,
and Tamil stories, but Singaporean stories. They come
A place that is pastoral and urban, as tranquil and green from writers who have looked closely around them, felt
as moss, leaves and grass, and yet also steely and shiny deeply about what they observed, and were compelled
like a skyscraper, gritty and speedy like cars zipping by to release their innermost thoughts and feelings to the
on tarmac. world through literature.
In the listings that follow, the paradoxical and poetic Without language, without wonder, there could not
amalgam of Garden and City will be seen to display have been any once upon a time in the Garden City. With
a wide array of fruits of the imagination. The books, every word, a sound and an image come into being. With
written for children and young adults, were seeded and every book, a new world of sounds and images is created
nurtured by writers for whom the imagination is not in and extends its invitation to the reader: “Come, be with
the margins but at the centre of life. me a little while.” And with every reader who can do this
and is willing to do this, there is wonder.
And what exuberant visions of life they have planted!
Adventure stories and fantasy are dominant genres, The books could not have existed without the act of
with ordinary life often morphing into something writing. But they are also testament to the vital role of
extraordinary with life-changing consequences. the reader. It is through the reader that fictional lives
spring into action.
The Garden City of stories is a place where hope and
literary language are symbiotically related. The trials In 2015 Singapore celebrates her Jubilee year. Looking
and tests endured by the heroes and heroines of these back, we see fifty years of massive development, giant
books embody their creators’ conviction in the power of strides in economic growth and progress, the constancy
the imagination to change lives. But first there is also a of change (that many times makes one wish for the
deep-rooted unshakeable belief in language as an agent impossible: that everything and nothing will change).
of change, as much as the imagination. The storyline has become familiar, but this should not
reduce in any way its miraculousness, however jaded
Once upon a Garden City, there were four distinct one might be.
languages, stemming from fertile lands further afield
with their own cultural legacies and histories. In this For this is also a story that vindicates the imagination:
sense, Singaporean literature is world literature. the imagination of Singapore’s first generation of
leaders and citizens. When the work of building a nation
The writers showcased here have created works in began after 1965, Singaporeans put their imagination to
Singapore’s four national languages. English, Malay, work. The Garden City of today is the book of wonder
Chinese, and Tamil stories harvest the richness of their that they wrote.
mother cultures but also look forward to their present
and future, as languages that have taken root in a multi- Dr. Yeo Wei Wei
cultural society and blossomed in new ways. Independent researcher for the arts
Contents
Picture Books 4
Chapter Books 20
Young Adult Fiction 30
The National Arts Council 50
Acknowledgements 51
FOREWORD
PICTURE BOOKS
Picture
Books
Ace Khong 小邝
去阿嬷家 弟弟，不要怕！
A Visit to Ah Ma’s House Kai Kai, Don’t be Scared!
One day, Yang Yang decides to Yang Yang and Kai Kai are brothers Ace Khong studied Graphic Design at
pay a visit to his Ah Ma’s house. who enter an imaginary world LASALLE College of the Arts, where he
graduated in 1999. He became actively
Little did he know that he would of forest and sea animals and involved in design and illustration, and
embark on an exciting adventure! have a wonderful time. But when became known as a prolific illustrator.
A Visit to Ah Ma’s House is a lively monsters mount an attack on them, His publications in Chinese include a
and heartwarming picture book Yang Yang steps up to defend picture book titled Jurogic and a children’s
picture book A Visit to Ah Ma’s House. Ace
celebrating the power of the his younger brother. This is a
draws inspiration from his love of art and
imagination. picture book that celebrates the his passion for drawing and design.
imagination of children and the love
of siblings.
L ANGUAGE Chinese
ISBN
978-981-07-9230-5
A Visit to Ah Ma’s House
978-981-4671-23-1
Kai Kai, Don’t be Scared!
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Worldwide Publishing
and Translation Rights except Singapore
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Denon Lim Denan, Executive Director
Lingzi Media Pte Ltd
No 48, Toh Guan Road East
T +65 6293 5677
F +65 6293 3575
E denon@lingzi.com.sg
5
PICTURE BOOKS PICTURE BOOKS
Anupa Roy Lianne Ong
Travels of Little Travels of Little Stacey Goes to the
Rice Grass Tea Leaves National Museum Maxilla
Long, long ago, there was a small How did tea come to be grown and Anupa Roy has been based in Singapore for Stacey and the Museums is a series One cool spring day, Reuben finds Lianne Ong is a freelance writer with
blade of grass. Born in the marshes savoured in different countries the last 10 years. She worked as a librarian on a little girl, Stacey’s adventures a caterpillar in the school garden. a focus on parenting, education and
in a university library in Mumbai before she lifestyle topics. She is the author of
along a river, the wild grass around the world? What is the became a writer. The Travels series marks
during her visits to museums in He names her Maxilla and hopes Maxilla, a children’s picture book and the
embarked on exciting travels with story of Little Tea Leaves that her first foray into picture books. Travels Singapore. Stacey’s experiences to see her become a butterfly. Stacey & the Museums series published
early humans. It crossed rivers and leave their home in search of big of Little Rice Grass was shortlisted in the are filled with fun and excitement. But Maxilla is a special caterpillar in partnership with the National Heritage
mountains, visiting many distant adventures abroad? Travels of Little National Arts Council’s Beyond Words Produced in partnership with that can only thrive in her natural Board. Lianne’s education background is in
competition in 2012. Her writing has been Southeast Asian Studies and International
lands, setting down roots and Tea Leaves tells this fascinating the National Heritage Board of habitat. Will Reuben keep Maxilla
published online in India and Singapore. Relations. She resides in Singapore with
making itself at home wherever story using rhymes, illustrations, Singapore, these books feature or will he release her into the wild? her husband and two children, Reuben
people chose to settle down. The and even a delightful song! w anuparoy.wordpress.com actual exhibits from the museums. and Phoebe.
little grass is loved by all. Can you
guess its name? e lianneong.maxilla@gmail.com
w lianneong.sg
L ANGUAGE English
PUBLISHER Ethos Books
ISBN
978-981-09-0374-9
Travels of Little Rice Grass
978-981-09-3860-4
Travels of Little Tea Leaves
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS World rights available Stacey & the Museums Series
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS L ANGUAGE English
Chan Wai Han
Business Development Manager ISBN
Pagesetters Services Pte Ltd 978-981-4597-24-1
28 Sin Ming Lane Stacey Goes to the National Museum
Midview City, #06-131
Singapore 573972 978-981-4597-80-7
Stacey Goes to the Peranakan Museum
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Ruth Lim, Marcomms Executive
Armour Publishing
1003 Bukit Merah Central #02-7
Singapore 159836
T +65 6276 9976
F +65 6276 7564
E ruth@armourpublishing.com
MAXILLA
L ANGUAGE English
ISBN 978-967-415-170-6
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Worldwide Publishing
and Translation Rights
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Lilian Ng
MPH Group Publishing Sdn Bhd
Lot 1, Level 1, Bangunan TH
No.5 Jalan Bersatu, Section 13/4
46200 Petaling Jaya
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 7
PICTURE BOOKS PICTURE BOOKS
Melanie Lee
The Adventures of
Linn Shekinah
The Adventures of Squirky the Alien 2:
Asian Spice Kids – Asian Spice Kids – Squirky the Alien 1: What happened to
Chilli, Sharp and Spicy! Clove, Bold and Brave! Why am I Blue? Planet Q?
Oh no! Chilli has lost her flavour! If Clove always helps people with Linn Shekinah made her first foray Squirky realises that he looks very Squirky and his sister Emma Melanie Lee is a writer and lecturer. Her
she can’t help the chefs make her their problems. But now she has into children’s picture books with The different from his daddy, mummy embark on an exciting space publications include a picture book series
Watchtower Warrior. It won the Media The Adventures of Squirky the Alien, a
dishes sharp and spicy, she might a problem and nobody can help Development Authority’s First-Time
and sister Emma, and wants to adventure by travelling in the spiritual book, Quiet Journeys: Finding
get tossed out of the Asian Spice her. She has been chosen to speak Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative know why. His parents tell him the capsule that Squirky had used Stillness in Chaos, and a collection of short
Kitchen. What can Chilli do? Find at Spice Town’s Show and Tell Award and a reviewer described the book story of how he came to be part of to come to Earth. Their first stories, Imaginary Friends: 26 Fables for the
out in this spicy tale about working programme, but she is too afraid as “a gateway into a fascinating chapter of their family. Squirky finds out that stop: the South Star! They meet Kid in Us.
Chinese cultural and social heritage”. The
hard and doing your best. to speak! Can she help herself he’s not actually from Earth, but a Queen Stella, a beautiful and kind
time spent experimenting with sauces, e adventuresofsquirky@gmail.com
this time? This is a zesty tale spices and recipes inspired Linn to write mysterious place called Planet Q! lady who seems rather sad and w adventuresofsquirky.wordpress.com
about finding the courage to do Dou Dou, the Little Imperial Chef and the secretive. What is she hiding?
things differently. Asian Spice Kids, a series of five bilingual Will she be able to help them
picture books. find Squirky’s birth parents?
w linnshekinah.com L ANGUAGE English
ISBN
978-967-415-206-2
L ANGUAGE English, Chinese and Malay The Adventures of Squirky the Alien 1:
Why am I Blue?
ISBN
978-981-07-8268-9 [English & Chinese] 978-967-415-255-0
978-981-07-8269-6 [English & Malay] The Adventures of Squirky the Alien 2:
Asian Spice Kids – Chilli, Sharp and Spicy! What happened to Planet Q?
978-981-07-8272-6 [English & Chinese] AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS All translation rights
978-981-07-8273-3 [English & Malay] and worldwide territory
Asian Spice Kids – Clove, Bold and Brave!
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Worldwide Publishing Lilian Ng
and Translation Rights MPH Group Publishing Sdn Bhd
Lot 1, Level 1, Bangunan TH
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS No.5 Jalan Bersatu, Section 13/4
Linn Shekinah 46200 Petaling Jaya
The Almond Tree
E hello@thealmondtree.com
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 9
PICTURE BOOKS PICTURE BOOKS
Pauline Loh Sharon Ismail
Ryan the The Little Red What Sallamah
Playground Expert Helicopter Didn’t Know Makan Time!
This book is about a little boy Ryan Charlene and Kevin love the little Pauline Loh is a children’s book author and Sallamah was born into a poor When Sarah goes out with Sharon Ismail has always had a passion
who has muscular dystrophy. red helicopter in the playground. stay-at-home mother of three children. She Chinese family and given away to Grandpa, it is always Makan Time! for words, whether spoken or written. Her
has been writing professionally for more first children’s book based on her mother’s
But this does not stop him from One day, they notice the little than two decades. She won the First Time
a Malay family. Through her birth Join Sarah as she discovers local childhood, What Sallamah Didn’t Know
pursuing his grand dream – Ryan helicopter looks quite different – it Writers and Illustrators Publishing certificate, Sallamah discovers a delicacies such as nasi lemak and has been adopted as a Primary 6 text in
wants to visit all the playgrounds looks real! Join them as they go on Initiative 2009 award with her picture book secret which would alter the reality roti prata with her grandfather. the Ministry of Education’s STELLAR
in his country! Ryan takes pictures a fantastic flight of fantasy in the The Little Red Helicopter. In 2012 she was of all that she thought she knew syllabus. The Ministry of Education has also
first runner-up for the Scholastic Asian requested a book set of her co-authored
and notes for his playground little red helicopter! and understood.
Book Award. bilingual picture books with Rilla Melati
project and creates beautiful Bahri, Makan Time! and Ati’s Baju Melayu
scrapbooks on his favourite topic. for each pre-school centre in Singapore.
Apart from lecturing, Sharon also acts and
L ANGUAGE English hosts for MediaCorp Channel 5 and Suria
productions.
ISBN
978-981-4342-469 e sharonismail@gmail.com
Ryan the Playground Expert
978-98124266-369
The Little Red Helicopter
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Worldwide Publishing
and Translation Rights
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Clara Wong
Marketing & Operations Manager
Straits Times Press Pte Ltd
1000 Toa Payoh North
T +65 6319 8346 | +65 6319 8258
E claraw@sph.com.sg
MAK AN TIME!
L ANGUAGE English, Malay
ISBN 978-981-07-7578-0
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Lydia Cheriyan
Mini Monsters
19 Kim Keat Road, #07-02, Fu Tsu Building,
Singapore 328804
What Sallamah Didn’t Know
L ANGUAGE English
ISBN 978-981-05-8994-3
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Stephanie Wang
Scholastic Asia (Malaysia)
Level 7, Plaza First Nationwide,
161 Jalan Tun H S Lee, Kuala Lumpur, WP
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 11
PICTURE BOOKS PICTURE BOOKS Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism
X Kwang 万一光
小鸦鸦讲故事 我来帮你
Little Crow Tells a Story Let Me Help You
On the day of the storytelling Whenever the tortoise and the X Kwang is a local author. Over the years
competition, Little Crow hurriedly hare are mentioned, people will he has published more than 50 picture
books including Mosquito Convention,
flips through a storybook to do naturally think of the famous Magnified Mouse, The Early Bird Catches
last-minute preparation. But race. In this innovative new the Worm, and This is My Home. Some of his
the book disappears before he take on that age-old tale, the works have been broadcast on children’s
finishes reading it! What will Little hare and the tortoise have been programmes on the radio, while others
have been adapted for the stage. Let Me
Crow do at the competition? transformed from enemies to
Help You was featured in the 2013 Read!
Young readers will be tickled by friends. Both animals use their Singapore campaign. Currently X Kwang
Little Crow’s antics and may even strengths to work with each works as an editor in a publishing firm.
see a bit of themselves in him! other, demonstrating the value Evelyn Sue Wong Nur-El-Hudaa Jaffar
of friendship and cooperation.
L ANGUAGE Chinese / English
ISBN
978-981-222-821- 5
The Naughty Mynah Something Special Where is My Home?
小鸦鸦讲故事 Little Crow Tells a Story
Paul Jones, an art teacher visiting Mum and Dad are glad that Jia Poor Callie loses her way and
978-981-222-499-6 Singapore, befriends a clever Ying has a hobby. But her hobby is can’t find her way back home.
我来帮你 Let Me Help You mynah. Agreeing to help Mr becoming a problem and everyone This is a story about her search
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Rights Available
Jones learn Mandarin, the mynah around her tries to help. Jia Ying for home and the different
accompanies him to surprise his does not see anything wrong animals she meets on the way.
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS students on the first day of school. with her hobby until one day… She discovers the value of home
Evelyn Chia, Rights Director
Pan Asia Publishing Pte Ltd The mynah soon learns that it is too and learns to appreciate the
167, Jalan Bukit Merah clever for its own good. Or does it? meaning of a home of one’s own.
#05-12 The Connection
Singapore 150167
T +65 9660 1088 | +65 6291 0500
E evelyn@panasiabooks.com
Evelyn grew up in Toronto, Canada. Nur-El-Hudaa Jaffar is an executive at a
She married a Singaporean, and has local publishing firm. Her first job after she
two children who have grown up in graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from NUS
Singapore with her love for reading and in 1992 was as an editorial assistant for a
storytelling. While teaching and writing children’s books publisher. An avid reader,
on industrial relations and corporate she believes that one is never too young or
social responsibility, she pursued her too old to enjoy a children’s book. She also
interest in creative writing. The Naughty writes poetry and short stories.
Mynah has been selected by the Learning
Connections, an arts-integrated learning
organisation, to be adapted into a multi-
sensorial storytelling performance that will
tour preschools in 2015.
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 13
PICTURE BOOKS Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism PICTURE BOOKS Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism
Ramanathan Rilla Melati Bahri Wang Chu Qiao
Ramachandran 王楚乔
The Snail Who Didn’t Baju Melayu Ati THE NAUGHTY MYNAH
Want His Shell (Ati’s Baju Melayu) Adil’s Dining Table 紫 Purple L ANGUAGE English / Chinese
ISBN 978-981-09-0338-1
Sentil Snail loves to race and finds A surprise awaits Ati when she What happens when Adil’s dining Ridiculed by the family of warm
SOMETHING SPECIAL
a way to beat his friends. In the opens her grandmother’s antique table gets taken away by Ah Pek, colours and left alone by the
process, he learns that his shell is bag. What can it be? Follow Ati on the rag-and-bone man? Will Adil neutrals, Blue finally stumbles upon L ANGUAGE English / Chinese
ISBN 978-981-07-6258-2
more valuable than he first believed her journey of discovery! get to be a soccer hero? Or will he the truth of his intrinsic beauty and
it to be. drive his vehicle into the garage? Or finds a friend in Red. But will the WHERE IS MY HOME?
will he become a doctor to Teddy? rest allow Red to mix with Blue?
L ANGUAGE English
ISBN 978-981-09-0339-8
THE SNAIL WHO DIDN’T WANT HIS SHELL
L ANGUAGE English / Tamil
ISBN 978-981-09-0356-5
Baju Melayu Ati ( Ati’s Baju Melayu)
L ANGUAGE English / Malay
ISBN 978-981-07-3893-8
Adil’s Dining Table
L ANGUAGE English / Malay
ISBN 978-981-07-6262-9
R Chandran is founder-director of ACT3 Rilla graduated in Theatre Studies from Chu Qiao is a bibliophile who has
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS
Theatrics, Singapore’s first professional the National University of Singapore. She attempted to check out more books than Worldwide Publishing and Translation Rights
theatre company established in 1984. He has worked closely with schools on Malay allowed at the school library since young.
is a playwright of more than 200 plays. speech & drama programmes. She believes She believes that when you read a book, the Awards
Together with his wife, he develops and in providing engaging and locally relevant book reads you too. Her hope is that Purple Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism
runs Literacy Through Drama, programmes content for the study of the Malay language will one day become a cherished favourite
aimed at inculcating the joy for writing and in Singapore. She is presently the Chief for children who will learn that the gems are PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
creativity in children. His published works Creative Officer of Mini Monsters, the found between the lines. Phoon Kok Hwa, Director
Candid Creation Publishing
include I Have Touched the Moon, A Leaf educational arm of production house, Dua
167 Jalan Bukit Merah #05-12
Named Nip Who Flipped, The World on M Pte Ltd. Connection One Tower 4
Her Knees, and Makanplace, A Singapore Singapore 150167
Musical. Chandran is the father of two boys, T +65 6273 7623
Joshua and Jivan. E kokhwa@candidcreation.com
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 15
PICTURE BOOKS Beyond Words PICTURE BOOKS Beyond Words
Beyond Words is an
initiative to encourage
local authors and
illustrators to create
high quality content for
young children. These
winning entries have
been published and some
have been adapted into
Carolyn Goodwin Charlene Chua Gwen Lee Tan Soon Meng Yixian Quek
interactive e-book apps.
Dragon’s Egg Extraordinary Little Cloud Pura the Cat Happily Ever After is
Eloise Wants Snow! So Once Upon a Time
A young girl tells us the story of Extraordinary Eloise is a lyrical Little Cloud wants to make a Pura is a cat living at Boat Quay When do we realise that fairy tales
a giant egg found at East Coast celebration of a child’s unique snowman but he lives in the tropics with three friends Dexter, Mei and are just tales, Santa Claus is your
Park in Singapore. When the egg is individuality. The story will tickle where it doesn’t snow. Together Bhavana. Other cats don’t pay dad in a silly costume, and there
hatched, a baby dragon is revealed, little people’s funny bones and with Mama Cloud, they set out attention to Pura until they realise is no pot of gold at the end of the
but it cries and cries! The girl inspire them to quit trying to be on an adventure to find snow. he is a Singapura cat, a very special rainbow? Belle is a precocious
realises something is wrong and like others, and to start being more breed. When Pura is captured by seven-year-old who often wonders
she knows she has to do something like themselves. Young children will be enthralled as some unscrupulous men, Dexter, about life and learns that life is best
quick! The rhymes and whimsical they are introduced to the different Mei and Bhavana mount a rescue. lived with positivity and magic.
illustrations in this charming tale types of clouds and the water cycle.
will delight readers of all ages.
DRAGON’S EGG
ISBN 978-981-4398-24-4
EXTRAORDINARY ELOISE
ISBN 978-981-4398-26-8
LITTLE CLOUD WANTS SNOW!
ISBN 978-981-4398-27-5
Carolyn Goodwin writes picture books, Charlene grew up in an animal research Gwen Lee is the author of the architecture Tan Soon Meng was a Merit Award winner Yixian graduated from Nanyang
PURA THE CAT short stories, novels and poetry for facility where her father worked as a book City of Waves: VivoCity and in TheatreWorks’ 24-hour playwriting Technological University with a ‘Best
ISBN 978-981-4398-23-7 children. Curse of the Viking Sword, her first laboratory technician. There, in the leafy the children’s book There Was a competition for his short play Accounting of Advertising’ prize at the Singapore
novel for younger readers, was published in outskirts of Sembawang, Singapore, she Peranakan Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Principles and was a writer on Season 6 Crowbar Creativity Awards. Her first
HAPPILY EVER AFTER IS SO ONCE 2008. It was one of the awardees of the First made friends with giant moths, thousands A recommended book for the Read! of the popular MediaCorp comedy series book The Book That Was Handed Down
UPON A TIME Time Writers and Illustrators Publishing of laboratory mice and chimps, and a pair of Singapore Festival 2014, Little Cloud The Noose. His science-fiction comic story won the inaugural Hedwig Anuar Award
ISBN 978-981-4398-25-1
Initiatives. Carolyn is an active member geese called G1 and G2. She tried her hand Wants Snow! has been translated into Ockham’s Razor was a winner in the Media for outstanding picture book in 2011.
L ANGUAGE English of the Society of Children’s Book Writers at journalism and then entrepreneurship, Korean (print) and Mandarin (app), and is Development Authority’s Ignite! Scheme Yixian is fascinated with how words and
and Illustrators and is passionate about before ending up in advertising. Today, being used by schools in Texas, USA, to for graphic novels and was published in the pictures combine to tell a story. She is
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS promoting literacy and love of reading in she continues to monkey her way educate children about weather science. Arena comic book anthology. Soon Meng currently working on a photography project
All language rights except Korean children. around the marketing jungle, crafting Trained as an architect in the UK, Gwen has also written a comedy screenplay titled with support from the National Heritage
brand campaigns. is one of the few interdisciplinary writers You’re Killin’ Me Here, and a contract law Board, to document all school uniforms
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS w cazgoodwin.com straddling the fields of architecture book for laymen titled Contract Smart. He in Singapore.
Lydia Leong, Managing Editor and literature. Her works have been won both the Nobel Prize for Literature as
Marshall Cavendish International
published in several design books and well as the Booker Prize in a dream he had e dear.yixian@gmail.com
(Asia) Pte Ltd
Times Centre, 1 New Industrial Road periodicals, as well as literary journals two weeks ago. w yixquek.com
Singapore 536196 such as the Asia Literary Review. cargocollective.com/onceuponakid
T +65 6213 9300 e soonmengtan@gmail.com
E lydialeong@sg.marshallcavendish.com e junkoli@gmail.com
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 17PICTURE BOOKS Beyond Words PICTURE BOOKS Beyond Words
Ang Thiam Poh kuanth Kong Lily Liow Yu Ting
咚咚咚 Mr. Giant 玛丽的虎斑黑猫 不只是彩色笔
Dong Dong Dong Mary and Tabby Black Cat Not Just Coloured Pencils
Dong, Dong, Dong… Someone’s at Mr. Giant takes care of us, A tabby black cat wanders into Xiao Xiao is looking forward to
the door. Through the peephole, accompanying us through life’s Mary’s life. Mary and the cat receiving his birthday present
Little Bear realises that characters ups and downs. Although he have a lot of fun, creating chaos from Grandma, but it turns out to
from familiar fairy tales have disappears one day, the memory everywhere in the house! What be just a box of coloured pencils.
come to visit! Should he let of his loving care gives us will happen when Mary’s parents But soon, Xiao Xiao realises that
them in? Will something happen courage and confidence. Who discover the mess? Will they chase a simple gift like a box of colour
to the classic storylines? knows, a day may come when the cat away? Or will her busy pencils can be unexpectedly
we too are little giants for others, parents learn an important lesson? magical and wonderful too…
just like what he was for us.
咚咚咚 DONG DONG DONG
ISBN 978-981-07-5857-8
MR. GIANT
ISBN 978-981-07-5858-5
玛丽的虎斑黑猫 MARY AND TABBY
BLACK CAT
ISBN 978-981-07-6166-0
不只是彩色笔 NOT JUST
COLOURED PENCILS
ISBN 978-981-07-5859-2
Educator and part-time comics artist After five years in the publishing and Lily Kong’s short stories and other writings Liow Yu Ting has always had an interest
Ang Thiam Poh started drawing comics advertising industries, kuanth decided to have been published in magazines and in the arts, particularly illustrated books L ANGUAGE Chinese
in the 1990s. He is a regular contributor take the plunge and pursue his dreams; in newspapers. She won an English short story for children. Her work, Not Just Coloured
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS
to the comics columns in Lianhe Zaobao, 2002 he became a freelance illustrator. writing contest in the 1985 NUS Literary Pencils has been featured in the Chinese Dong Dong Dong: All rights
zbCOMMA (formerly Friday Weekly) and kuanth is also passionate about art and Society Writing Contest and in 2013, she category in the Top 10 list of Popular Mr. Giant: All rights
Thumbs Up. Among his most popular works design, with his work featured in the 20/20 won the National Arts Council’s Beyond Readers’ Choice in 2013. Her illustrations Mary and Tabby Black Cat: Publishing rights,
is The Class series, which has appeared in Movement at the Singapore Design Festival Words competition for a Chinese picture and short stories have appeared in Thumbs Translation rights
Thumbs Up for 22 consecutive years. During 2007, as well as in a joint exhibition Le book. Lily writes in English as well . Up Little Junior. Her other interests include Not Just Coloured Pencils: All rights
his two-decade-long career as a comic Monde Est a Nous – See You in the Dark with photography and arts and crafts.
artist, he has published ten comics and the artist Sokkuan. In 2011 he was one of e Lilykong1963@gmail.com PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Phoon Kok Hwa, Director
a picture book. His most recent work is a the artists in a group exhibition organised e ytliow19@gmail.com
Candid Creation Publishing
weekly comic strip in Thumbs Up called The by Damien Brachet in Paris called NeoFolk, 167 Jalan Bukit Merah #05-12
Class-Hopper, produced in collaboration Cutlog Foire d’Art Contemporain. kuanth’s Connection One Tower 4
with Johnny Lau, the creator of “Mr Kiasu.” other pursuits include dressmaking, doll- Singapore 150167
making, daydreaming a little (or a lot) and T +65 6273 7623
raising a lovely boy named Noody (“Woof!”). E kokhwa@candidcreation.com
e kuanth@gmail.com
w kuanth.com www.beyondwords.sg
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 19CHAPTER BOOKS
Chapter Andy Chua
Books Fossil Finders:
Mesozoic Mission
Best friends Samuel and Anna go on L ANGUAGE English Andy Chua is a 3D Modeler and Texture
an excursion to the museum where Artist in an integrated engineering
ISBN 978-981-09-1425-7 group based in Singapore that provides
dinosaur fossils are on display. A defense training solutions to clients
magical collision in time awakens AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS
around the world. He is an avid reader,
Translation rights for all languages available.
Norus, guardian of the exhibits. Distribution rights available for all territories web enthusiast, photographer, gamer,
He needs Samuel and Anna to except Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and badminton-player and jogger. He spends
Indonesia.Publishing rights available for all his free time juggling a part-time degree,
go back in time to retrieve an
territories except Singapore. freelance design work and volunteering.
ammonite and an allosaurus tooth. As the co-moderator of Singapore’s fossil
Are they up for the challenge? PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS and paleontology group, The Singapore
Serene See, Creative Collaborator
Fossil Collector, he gives guest lectures
Bubbly Books Pte Ltd
on prehistoric life and geology with other
26 Sin Ming Lane, #06-121, Midview City
Singapore 573971 like-minded enthusiasts, and has met
T +65 9237 8400 with various paleontologists and fossil-
E info@bubbly-books.com collectors from other countries.
21CHAPTER BOOKS CHAPTER BOOKS
Adan Jimenez & Felicia Low-Jimenez Arati Arundhati
Vijayanand
Sherlock Sam and the Sherlock Sam and
Cloaked Classmate in the Stolen Script in Veena and the
MacRitchie Balestier Missing Emblem
The sixth in the series, Sherlock This is the seventh book in the The writers behind the pseudonym A. J. One night, while in a school camp, L ANGUAGE Tamil Arati Anand is a 13-year-old attending
Sam and the Cloaked Classmate in series. After getting in trouble Low are a husband-and-wife team, Adan Veena discovers a chilling truth. A secondary school in Singapore where she
Jimenez and Felicia Low-Jimenez. ISBN 978-981-07-6471-5 was born. She is a regular contributor to the
MacRitchie is where Sherlock Sam with his parents over the mayhem 180-year-old emblem in the school Tamil newspaper, in particular, its student
encounters his most important at MacRitchie, Sherlock Sam was has mysteriously disappeared! AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS
Born in California to Mexican immigrant supplement Manavar Murasu. Inspired
Rights for sale and translation available
mystery yet. His classmate has forced to disband the Supper parents, Adan became an immigrant Together with a team of loyal and by her love for reading, Arati’s dream is to
gone missing at MacRitchie Club. However, his arch-nemesis himself when he moved to Singapore determined friends, Veena vows to PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS pen a series of adventure novels. In 2013,
after graduating from New York Vijayanand Thamotharan Arati’s dream came true when her maiden
Reservoir, and no one can find him. continues to taunt him at every recover the emblem and bring glory
University with a Literature degree. He Crimson Earth attempt Veena and the Missing Emblem was
Fearing the worst, Officer Siva turn. This time, the top-secret is the co-author of a children’s book, and honour back to the school. 14 Robinson Road published with a grant from the National
refuses to let the Supper Club help, final script of Singapore’s most Twisted Journeys #22: Hero City. Far East Finance Building, #13-00 Arts Council.
Singapore 048545
but there’s never been a mystery popular television series is T +65 6858 5052 | +65 9823 5322
Sherlock, Watson and their friends stolen! It’s up to Sherlock and his Felicia was born and raised in Singapore.
E vijay@crimsonearth.com
She spent most of her childhood with her W www.crimsonearth.com
could ignore! friends to resolve the dastardly head in the clouds and her nose buried in a
plot—before it’s too late. book. She has a graduate degree in Literary
Theory, and the Sherlock Sam series “Veena!” a familiar call nudged the student’s gaze
is Felicia’s debut writing effort, after towards the direction of the voice.
accumulating years of experience Nooriya, in her neatly pressed uniform with her
buying, selling and marketing books. beautiful wavy hair pulled back in a ponytail, warmed Veena’s
heart with her embracing smile.
w sherlocksam.wordpress.com “I am coming! Let’s go together!” Nooriya waved
her hand.
Nooriya, blessed with angelic virtues, was a student
who could work together with anyone. Over the past six years,
Veena and Nooriya had become great friends. Veena trusted
L ANGUAGE English and adored her friend very much, and this mutual respect and
admiration formed the foundation of their friendship.
AWARDS Sherlock Sam and the Missing Veena pulled Nooriya close and hugged her.
Heirloom in Katong won the International
“Would I go without you? I was looking for you!”
Schools Libraries Network’s Red Dot Award
2013-2014 in the Younger Reader’s category. Veena’s enthusiasm at seeing Nooriya showed clearly in
Sherlock Sam and the Ghostly Moans in her voice.
Fort Canning took third place in the Popular “Let’s check if everyone is sleeping, just like Mr Chan
Reader’s Choice Awards 2013 in the English
had asked us to do so.” Nooriya started walking quickly.
Children’s Books category.
Veena was used to this. She loved the year-end camp
October 2013: Ambassador for NLB for student leaders at her school very much and looked forward
S.U.R.E. campaign. to it from the beginning of the school year.
However, she had a new role in this year’s camp. She
ISBN
9789810778651 had been appointed as the head prefect.
Sherlock Sam and the Cloaked Classmate Never once did she ever imagine she would get the
in MacRitchie coveted post. Her teacher, Ms Joyce, had liked her friendly and
responsible attitude towards the younger students. Besides,
9789810769185
Sherlock Sam and the Stolen Script Veena had always stepped up to do things since she was a
in Balestier child and she helped others without complaining. Her teachers
and her school principal, Mr Chan, loved her compassion and
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS World English
her drive.
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS “I would like to nominate Veena as the head prefect,”
Ilangoh Thanabalan, Marketing Manager Ms Joyce had nominated her for the post and Mr Chan had
Epigram Books Pte Ltd readily agreed. Veena was thrilled to know that Nooriya
1008 Toa Payoh North #03-08
was chosen as the assistant head prefect, more than
Singapore 318996
T +65 6292 4456 | +65 6292 4414 Nooriya herself.
E ilangoh@epigrambooks.sg
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 23CHAPTER BOOKS CHAPTER BOOKS
Monica Lim & Lesley-Anne Tan Lynette Morrison
Danger Dan Spooks Pittodrie Pirates Series Pittodrie Pirates Series
the Peculiar Danger Dan Traces (Book 3) A Surprise in (Book 4) Shhh…
Peranakan Pirate the Perilous Poison the Bluebell Woods It’s a Birthday Party!
This is the third book in the In the fourth instalment of the Lesley-Anne Tan and Monica Lim are The Pittodrie Pirates need a present The Pittodrie Pirates travel to Edin Dr. Lynette Morrison (née Tan Yuen Ling)
series. Danger Dan and Gadget series, Danger Dan and Gadget Girl a mother-and-daughter writing team. for Farmer Callum’s surprise Island to throw Farmer Callum a is a lecturer at the National University of
Monica is the mother and Lesley-Anne is Singapore. She taught in the disciplines
Girl travel back in time to 1819. travel back to 1972. The mysterious the daughter, although sometimes their
birthday party. They decide to get surprise birthday party. They join of film and literature at universities in
This is the year of Singapore’s time warp has messed with Queen roles seem reversed. Lesley-Anne eats it from the fairies that live deep his animals and quietly prepare the UK and in Singapore for more than 12
founding, but it is up to Danger Elizabeth’s historic visit to Toa her veggies and occasionally has to force in the Bluebell Woods. As night the barn. years before becoming an author. Lynette
Dan and Gadget Girl to ensure Payoh satellite town and the Queen Monica to do the same. She’s weird that falls, they learn that something is was a Featured Author at the Singapore
way. (“No, I’m not!” says Lesley-Anne). Writer’s Festival in 2014, and her books
that the signing of the historic is in danger of being poisoned! watching them from the shadows… But the surprise feast may be ruined
Monica runs her own writing business, in the Pittodrie Pirates series have had
treaty by Sir Stamford Raffles and Danger Dan must race against time has a blog on education and published a if Farmer Callum heads for the glowing reviews in both magazines and
Sultan Hussein will take place! to save Singapore from disaster. book in October 2013 entitled The Good, How will the Pirates escape, and barn before they’re ready! Will the online on Amazon. These books have
the Bad and the PSLE. Lesley-Anne is still make their way to the party in time? Pirates be able to save the day? also been awarded major grants for
in school so she mostly writes essays their contributions to literacy. Lynette is
and papers, which isn’t quite as fun. a mother of three young children, who
inspired her to begin writing creatively.
w hedgehogcomms.blogspot.com She is passionate about writing for children
and creating beautifully illustrated
stories that excite the imagination.
e lynettemorrisonstories@gmail.com
w pittodriepirates.com
L ANGUAGE English
ISBN
9789814615211 L ANGUAGE English
Danger Dan Spooks the Peculiar
Peranakan Pirate ISBN
978-981-4461-63-4
9789814615235 (Book 3) A Surprise in the Bluebell Woods
Danger Dan Traces the Perilous Poison
978-981-4597-33-3
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS (Book 4) Shhh… It’s a Birthday Party!
World English
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS Ruth Lim, Marcomms Executive
Ilangoh Thanabalan, Marketing Manager Armour Publishing
Epigram Books Pte Ltd 1003 Bukit Merah Central
1008 Toa Payoh North #03-08 #02-7 Singapore 159836
Singapore 318996 T +65 6276 9976
T +65 6292 4456 | +65 6292 4414 F +65 6276 7564
E ilangoh@epigrambooks.sg E ruth@armourpublishing.com
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 25CHAPTER BOOKS CHAPTER BOOKS
Maranna Chan Prema Govin
Triple Nine Sleuths Triple Nine Sleuths Varathanum Enthira
#7 Dangerous #8 Dangerous Nanbanum
Disappearance Symbol (Varathan and His Robot Friend)
Stacy confronts Paula, her Something strange is in the Maranna Chan is a full-time mystery writer Varathan’s father is a famous L ANGUAGE Tamil Prema Govin realised her love for language
parents’ friend, after her parents air: across the island, bodies with a background in education. She has robotics scientist. Chancing upon during her primary school days when she
taught children of various ages, ranging ISBN 978-981-09-1311-3 edited her school magazine. Since then, she
mysteriously disappear. But Stacy are turning up with a symbol from preschoolers to secondary school
a mini-robot invented by his father, has been a regular contributor of essays,
suddenly blacks out and wakes that mystifies everyone except Varathan gives it a name: Vikram. AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS
students. Maranna enjoys studying human short stories and plays to Tamil newspapers
Distribution and Translation Rights Available
up to find Paula missing. Stacy is the Triple Nine Sleuths. When behaviour and figuring out the personality Varathan and his friends develop and radio. Besides having won several
now the prime suspect! Corey and policewoman Faizah goes missing, types of those around her. A wife, and a a close bond with Vikram. Things PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS literary and oratorical competitions,
mother to a young child and two hamsters, Vijayanand Thamotharan Prema was also part of the winning team in
Colton are determined to prove her Corey, Colton and Stacy team up take a curious turn when a series
Maranna loves staying up late to watch Crimson Earth the Inter-College Debating Competition
innocence—before it’s too late. with her heartbroken boyfriend back-to-back episodes of her favourite of fires break out in school... 14 Robinson Road in 1990 and 1991. Currently an editor at
Corporal Faris to crack the code. criminal investigation television series. Far East Finance Building, #13-00 Crimson Earth, Prema is working on a series
Singapore 048545
of picture books and chapter books. These
T +65 6858 5052 | +65 9823 5322
publications will involve the translation of
E vijay@crimsonearth.com
W crimsonearth.com award-winning literary works into Tamil
and adaptation of one of the most revered
historical fantasy novels written in Tamil for
young readers, Ponniyin Selvan.
Day One – 9.10am
Varathan’s thoughts raced in tandem with the hands
of the clock he was holding.
“Varathan, be careful with the clock. That’s meant to
be a gift for Dr Michael Lee.” Varathan looked up, sensing the
uncharacteristic anxiety in his father’s voice.
He looked around the exhibition hall. Asia’s most
eminent robotic scientists and experts had gathered for the
robotics event of the year. Among these luminaries, Varathan’s
father had received a special invitation to present a key-
note address.
Varathan beamed at his father. He has always been
proud that his father, Dr Chandrasekar, was a renowned
L ANGUAGE English scientist in the field of robotics. He too had a keen interest
in robotics just like his father. Leading this field, where many
AWARDS October 2013: Ambassador for
scientists had achieved breakthroughs in recent times,
NLB S.U.R.E. campaign.
Dr Chandrasekar would often state that robotics was a divine
ISBN field of study that forged both the arts and sciences. So high
9789810780340 was the pedestal he put his father on that whenever he read
#7 Dangerous Disappearance
articles praising Dr Chandrasekar’s significant contributions to
978-981-07-9167-4 the field, Varathan felt a burst of joy.
#8 Dangerous Symbol “Who is this Michael Lee? I have never heard Father
talk about him,” Varathan wondered. He got his answer almost
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS World English
immediately as a voice cut through his thoughts.
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS “It’s wonderful to see children like you in this
Ilangoh Thanabalan, Marketing Manager robotics exhibition!”
Epigram Books Pte Ltd
1008 Toa Payoh North #03-08
Singapore 318996
T +65 6292 4456 | +65 6292 4414
E ilangoh@epigrambooks.sg
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 27CHAPTER BOOKS CHAPTER BOOKS
Sheri Tan
Girl Overboard! Girl Overboard!
Radhika Puri
A Rose Among Thorns A Rose Grows in
Mountain of Fire the Jungle
In a village on the slopes of Mount L ANGUAGE English Radhika Puri is a former business journalist. The first book in the Girl Overboard! In this second book in the Girl Sheri Tan worked as a children’s book
Merapi, Fitri and Agus watch While working in India, she won the series introduces Rosie Smith, a Overboard! series, Rosie Smith editor in New York City for many years.
AWARDS National Arts Council’s Beyond World Press Institute Media Fellowship, a She is the author of a wide range of titles,
anxiously as the volcano comes Words: Young and Younger publishing
fellowship awarded to journalists annually
13-year-old girl who was born and continues to document her including Seiji Ozawa (a biography of
to life. The siblings stumble initiative 2011 raised in New York City. When adventures as she adjusts to life
around the world, to travel around the the former Boston Symphony Orchestra
upon a cave and must find a ISBN 978-981-07-7370-0 United States and better understand the Rosie’s Singapore-born mother in Singapore and her new school. conductor) and Handshake in Space
way to unearth its secrets. But country. In 2002, she won the Polestar decides to move the family 10,000 When she and her two friends, Pink (The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project), as well
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS award, an Indian award for excellence in as books featuring licensed characters
someone is watching them. miles to Singapore, a lot of things and Ben, get lost on Pulau Ubin
Translation rights for all languages available. journalism, for her coverage of the internet such as Winnie the Pooh, SpongeBob
What could the man want? And Distribution rights available for all territories phenomenon that year. Radihka moved in Rosie’s world begin to change. during a camping trip, Rosie must SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.
what do Fitri’s strange dreams except Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and to Singapore in 2007 and works at the Peek into her diary for tales about rely on her wits to help them find
Indonesia.Publishing rights available for all
about the Merapi mean? territories except Singapore.
Institute of Water Policy at the Lee Kuan her spider-obsessed little brother, their way back to the campsite.
Yew School of Public Policy as a research embarrassing episodes in secondary
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS associate. Before coming to Singapore, she
lived in Indonesia for two years. She first
school and making friends and
Serene See, Creative Collaborator
Bubbly Books Pte Ltd started writing stories for her daughter and enemies in her new home.
26 Sin Ming Lane, #06-121, Midview City now hopes to write many more.
Singapore 573971
T +65 9237 8400
E info@bubbly-books.com
L ANGUAGE English
ISBN
978-981-07-9574-0
A Rose Among Thorns
978-981-46-1527-3
A Rose Grows in the Jungle
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS World English
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Ilangoh Thanabalan, Marketing Manager
Epigram Books Pte Ltd
1008 Toa Payoh North #03-08
Singapore 318996
T +65 6292 4456 | +65 6292 4414
E ilangoh@epigrambooks.sg
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 29YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Young Adult
Fiction
Ai Yu 艾禺
天狼星游戏事件簿
(Records from the Sirius Games Book)
Yiliang is a student obsessed with L ANGUAGE Chinese Liew Kwee Lan, who writes under the
computer games. He enters into pen name Ai Yu, is an award-winning
AWARDS National Arts Council’s Beyond poet, short story writer, novelist, story-
the world of cyber-reality and Words: Young and Younger publishing
planner and screenwriter of over eighty
embarks on a great adventure! initiative 2011
TV drama serials. She has published 11
With the help of his teacher, Yiliang ISBN 978-981-07-7960-3 books covering various genres, including
survives the shuttling back and young adult fiction. A freelance writer,
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Worldwide Publishing she is currently the Vice-President of the
forth between the world of games
and Translation Rights except Singapore Singapore Association of Writers and the
and the actual world, and learns Vice- Secretary of the World Chinese Mini-
a lesson or two about friendship, PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS Fiction Research Association.
Denon Lim Denan, Executive Director
romance and individuality. Lingzi Media Pte Ltd
No 48, Toh Guan Road East
T +65 6293 5677
F +65 6293 3575
E denon@lingzi.com.sg
Excerpt from book
鸽子身上的那根羽毛。 红眼白鸽，他让我想起那只神秘出现的鸽子。
就 在 我 再 次 掉 入 空 间 的 那 一 刻 ，绝 望 中 的 一 个 抬 “ 很 久很 久的从前，人本来 有三 只眼睛，而中间那
头，我又看见了那根羽毛轻飘 飘 地来到了我的身旁，我尝试 只就叫慧眼！”
轻轻触碰它，没想到它即刻像玻璃般四处迸裂，在背光的黑 老人凝视 着天狼 星继 续说： “ 慧眼能 够前瞻未来，
暗中折射出五颜六色的光芒⋯⋯！ 本来是天赐给人类的恩典，可惜人类太自私贪婪，为了利益
过关！ 而不择手段，没有了人与人之间的爱心，天神很 生气，终于
我立在悬 崖上，风 吹动着头 发，望着满天的星星， 把人类的慧眼收了回来，放回天上，让它成为了一颗星！”
其中有一颗很小，但却是最亮的，发出蓝白色的光芒，那是 “这和我接下来的旅程有关系吗？”
天狼星吗？ “ 跟 随 着 天 狼 星 的 踪 迹 而 去 ，破 解 层 层 难 关 ，你
“听过天狼星的故事吗？” ⋯⋯将会得到你所要的！”
一把洪亮的声音传来，身后不知什么时候 竟站了个 “可是⋯⋯”
穿白袍 的 老人 ，白色 斗 篷 遮 住了大半 边 的 脸 ，看不 清 楚 模 “没有可是，勇往直进！”
样，只有一双红眼睛在闪闪发亮。
That feather from the dove. ‘A long, long time ago, humankind used to have three
At the very instant I was about to tumble into eyes, and the third eye, the one in the middle, was known as the
emptiness again, I lifted my head in despair, and saw once eye of wisdom!’
more that feather drifting lightly to my side. I tried reaching out The old man stared at the Sirius star as he continued,
to touch it, never expecting that it would instantly shatter, as if ‘The eye of wisdom could see the future, a gift from the
made of glass, emitting brightly coloured radiance through the Heavens. Unfortunately, people were selfish and greedy, and
darkness around me...! used all kinds of underhand methods to gain advantages for
I’d passed the test! themselves, showing no love for their fellows. Angered by this,
I stood on the cliff edge, wind tousling my hair, gazing God confiscated the third eye and placed it in the sky, where it
up at the sky full of stars. One of them was particularly tiny, but became a star!’
also the brightest, glowing an intense bluish-white. Could this ‘Does this have anything to do with the rest of my
be the Sirius star? journey?’
‘Have you heard the story of Sirius?’ said a clear voice. ‘If you follow the traces of the Sirius star, and get
It was an old man in a white robe – when had he appeared through the remaining tests in your way, you’ll... gain all that
behind me? – his face obscured by a white cowl. I couldn’t you desire.’
make out his features, apart from a pair of glittering red eyes. ‘But...’
The red eyes of a dove. He made me think of that bird’s ‘No buts. Keep moving forward!’
mysterious appearance.
31YOUNG ADULT FICTION YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Chen Shuai 陈帅
Gabby Tye
芝麻校园系列： Run: the first book Hide: the second
《芝麻班绿豆事》 in the RunHideSeek book in the
《芝麻班青春痘》 series RunHideSeek series
(Sesame Campus Series: L ANGUAGE Chinese Chen Shuai is a teacher with a passion for
writing. She won various awards including
Groundbreaking work in genetics Now she remembers. She Gabby Tye is a Secondary 4 student at
St Margaret’s Secondary School. She
Stories on Sesame Campus ISBN the First Prize in the National Novel
has unleashed something
unimaginable. Something that has
remembers who she is and what
she has to do. What she discovers
started writing Run, the first book in her
Pimples on Sesame Campus)
978-981-07-3870-9
Competition in Singapore in 2010 and the RunHideSeek trilogy, when she was 11. She
978-981-07-8098-2 killed off every living thing… except could hold the key to why
Bing Xin Prize for Children’s Literature in has been an invited speaker at events such
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Worldwide Publishing China in 2011. In 2013 and 2014, she wrote humans. Somewhere in Singapore, everything on Earth is dead. Out in as The Arts House’s New Word Order and
The stories revolve around children two books for young adults in the Zhi Ma the All-In Young Writers Festival. Hide, the
and Translation Rights except Singapore a 15-year-old girl wakes up with no the dead world, a horrifying new
from different cultural backgrounds Ban series (Sesame Campus series), dealing second book in the trilogy, was launched
memory. With nowhere to go and breed of Eaters is emerging, and
and their unforgettable tales from PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS with school life in Singapore. Another book, at the 2014 Singapore Writer’s Festival. In
Denon Lim Denan, Executive Director tentatively called The Last Dinosaur of Bukit no one to trust, she joins a band of strange soldiers are hunting for her. December 2014, the book won third prize
primary to secondary school. Lingzi Media Pte Ltd Timah will be launched in 2015. young survivors like her. Together, And running is no longer an option. in the Popular Bookstore Readers’ Choice
No 48, Toh Guan Road East
T +65 6293 5677
they must hunt for food and fight Awards. Seek will be released in June 2015.
to survive. The movie rights to the trilogy have been
F +65 6293 3575
E denon@lingzi.com.sg sold to Woosh Pictures Productions.
w runhideseek.com
Excerpt from book
10月的那个下午，一群 疯了的男孩 女孩在西海 That October afternoon, the group of boys and girls ran
岸来回奔跑着，直到每个人的嗓子哑了，腿酸了，然后全 up and down West Coast Park like maniacs, screaming till their
部瘫倒在突出在海面的露台上。 throats were hoarse and their legs wobbly, whereupon the lot of
“ 哎呀，我 忘了录 像，白喊了。”托蒂突然哀叫 them collapsed onto a platform overlooking the sea.
一声。 ‘Aiyah, I forgot to tape that – we were shouting for
“ 没 关 系 ，我 们 下 次 去 北 京 找 你 ，到 长 城 上 nothing!’ Totti suddenly cried out in anguish.
喊。”雷诺豪气万丈地一挥手。 ‘Never mind, next time we’ll come find you in Beijing,
and we can shout from the top of the Great Wall.’ Renault waved
夕阳下，几个人的身影被拉得很长，声音一次次
his hand loftily. Excerpt from book
惊起了海鸥，盘旋在大海的上空。大家忘记了那场没得
As the setting sun elongated their shadows, their voices
第一名的比赛，忘记了即将来临的分科，忘记了和雷诺 startled the seagulls again and again, swirling from the ocean’s Everything is digital now. Or was, before the electricity stopped running.
说再见的日子越来越近…… surface up into the sky. Everyone had long forgotten the contest What everyone doesn’t realise is that technology isn’t forever. When batteries on
有的朋友离开了，有的朋友即将离开，每个人的 L ANGUAGE English
that they didn’t win, the upcoming streaming exercise, and that electronic devices soon ran out, ebooks couldn’t be read anymore. Fictional books,
校园生活继续着，在中学的头两年里，米米觉得收获很 the day of Renault’s departure was drawing closer and closer... reference books and encyclopaedias that contained all kinds of knowledge. Gone. ISBN
大，不是学业上的，不是感情上的，不是成绩上的，而是 Some of the group had already departed, and others Photographs, messages from loved ones and home videos, everything people had 978-981-07-3646-0
were preparing to leave. Each of them would continue with stored online or on devices – gone. Or they might as well be, without any power to Run: the first book in the RunHideSeek series
一种经历，和朋友共同的经历，她会一直记得。
“我会记得”，米米对着大海喊。 their school life. In these first two years of secondary school, access them.
978-981-09-1978-8
“我会 记得”，雷诺站到了米米身边，加入了她 Mimi felt the rewards were greatest not in her studies, her Printed books aren’t forever either though they last hundreds of years, but Hide: the second book in the RunHideSeek
relationships or her results, but as experiences she would never the words in them are. series
的行列，对着大 海大喊 。然后是曹尚飞，然 后是托蒂，
forget, ones shared with friends. With books, you can trace your fingers over the sentences the author has
然后是倩倩。 AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Translation rights for
‘I’ll remember all this!’ Mimi shouted at the sea. written and try to feel what he felt to write what he wrote.
声音随风飘，飘出了好远。 all languages available. Distribution rights
‘I’ll remember all this!’ Renault stood next to Mimi, You can breathe in all his metaphors about the girl who no longer loves him available for all territories except Singapore,
following her example and screaming into the waves. Then it back and how even time doesn’t erase the memories of her but only makes the ghost Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Publishing
was Cao Shangfei’s turn, then Totti’s, then Qian Qian’s. of her touch burn even brighter. rights available for all territories except
Singapore.
Their voices were picked up by the wind, and drifted I sit down in the corner of the store surrounded by books and I read of how
very far away. her heart breaks like the shattering of a snow globe when she watches him leave the PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
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ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 33YOUNG ADULT FICTION YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Abdul Manaf Abdul Kadir L ANGUAGE Malay
Siri Pengembaraan Fantasi:
Suzan
ISBN 978-983-9068-29-0
AWARDS Shortlisted for Singapore Literature
Jati Lestari Suzan is a beauty who has lost
Prize 2014 (Malay)
(The Immortal Teak Tree) everything. Ruztem has everything
AVAIL ABLE RIGHTS Worldwide Publishing
and Translation Rights
except a heart and feelings. Their
PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
In this latest instalment of the Siri Pengembaraan Manaf Hamzah is the pen name of the writer. His debut novel, lives become intertwined as they Syed Ali Semait, Director
Fantasi series, the four cousins embark on a challenging Dedaun Hijau Di Angin Lalu, a story of an island girl caught in a try to thwart evil forces. Yet when Pustaka Islamiyah Sdn Bhd
web of intrigue and betrayal, went to become the most reprinted
and dangerous mission to save Timura’s Sultan. They novel published by Pustaka Nasional and has been published in
all is revealed and resolved, it may No 25 Jalan TIB 1/21 Taman Industri Bolton,
68100 batu caves, Selangor, Malaysia
face grave dangers as they deal with situations that Bahasa Indonesia. be too late for them to taste the T 603 6188 9605 | 603 6188 2964
push them to their mental and physical limits. happiness that both desire. E pustakaislamiyah@me.com
Manaf Hamzah’s third novel Aylana won the Literature Award for
the novel category at the 2007 Malay Literary Award (Anugerah
Persuratan Melayu). Aylana has since been translated into English
and was included at the Signatures segment of the 2013 Abu Dhabi Excerpt from book
International Book Fair. Manaf Hamzah has also written a series of
fantasy books for teenagers in Malay. Ruztem terjaga dengan kepala yang terasa bengang Ruztem awoke with his head throbbing and feeling
dan berdenyut-denyut. Bahkan seluruh tubuhnya terasa heavy. In fact, his whole body was numb. He wondered
sengal-sengal. Dia terfikir sekiranya dia masih berada di whether he was still in Istanbul. He felt unwell after being
Excerpt from book Istanbul. Apa yang dirasakan ketika ini tidak lain adalah kesan assaulted by two men.
dek dia telah dibelasah oleh dua orang lelaki. He realised that it could not be so when he caught
DI TENGAH JAMBATAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE Namun tanggapan itu meleset apabila pandangannya sight of the mosquito net above him. He soon found out that he
tertumpu kepada dada bumbung yang berkelambu di atasnya. was lying in a rather big bed with a soft mattress. The mosquito
FIRDAUS, DANIAL, Dillah dan Shafiqah mula berasa pening Firdaus, Danial, Dillah and Shafiqah started to feel dizzy Beberapa jenak kemudian dia pun sedar bahawa dia rupa- net that was covering the bed looked yellowish. In fact, there
dek kelajuan putaran yang sedang mereka alami itu. Bahkan because of the whirlwind they were caught in. In fact, they felt rupanya sedang berbaring di atas katil yang agak besar dan was a redolent and refreshing scent of flowers around the bed.
mereka berasa seperti hendak tercampak sahaja dan tangan as if they were about to be thrown out and they tightened their tilam yang cukup empuk. Kelambu yang menutup katil itu He felt a prickling sensation because of pins and
mereka yang berpimpinan itu terus menggenggam erat antara grip on each other. berwarna kekuningan. Bahkan keadaan tempat pembaringan needles in his right arm and tried to recall what had happened
satu sama lain. itu berbau harum bunga-bunga yang lembut dan menyegarkan. to him within the last few hours. Most crucially, he wanted to
When they felt like throwing up and could not take it anymore, Lengan kanannya terasa kebas dek kesemutan, cuba know how he ended up lying on the soft and comfortable bed.
Akhirnya tidak dapat dibendung lagi hingga terasa hendak the children screamed at the top of their lungs. ingat kembali akan apakah telah terjadi kepadanya dalam He noticed the room was gloomy. Streams of sunlight
muntah, budak-budak itu pun menjerit sekuat hati mereka. tempoh beberapa jam yang lalu. Lebih-lebih lagi, dia mahu seeped through the cracks and closed windows, indicating it
At that instant, the whirlwind stopped. They were no longer tahu juga bagaimanakah dia boleh terbaring di atas katil yang was already daytime.
Pada ketika itu jugalah putaran yang mereka alami itu berhenti. floating. The children were shocked when they opened empuk dan selesa itu? He pressed his lips tightly together in annoyance when
Mereka tidak lagi terapung-apung. Tetapi alangkah terkejutnya their eyes. They were now standing in the middle of a Keadaan kamar itu didapatinya samar-samar. he finally recalled the incident. He was especially angry at
budak-budak itu apabila mereka membuka mata masing- hanging bridge! Bongkah-bongkah cahaya yang menembus masuk himself for not being alert until he was tricked by the old man
masing. Rupa-rupanya mereka ketika ini sedang berdiri di melalui celah-celah di dinding serta jendela yang tertutup who had disguised himself as Jelal Aydin. How could he not be
tengah-tengah sebuah jambatan gantung! The bridge was made of wood and ropes. Its width was menunjukkan hari sudah pun siang. upset, his cup of tea was quietly spiked with sleeping powder
approximately only a metre, measured in terms of the width of Bibirnya diketap dek berasa geram apabila akhirnya by the cursed man. Nevertheless, it was his own fault for being
Jambatan itu dibuat daripada kayu dan tali. Lebarnya kurang wooden planks that were as thick as a man’s thigh. The wooden dia dapat ingat kembali. Terutama sekali terhadap dirinya too slow to notice the man’s disguise as he was trapped first.
lebih satu meter sahaja, mengikut lebarnya batang-batang planks were arranged closely in a parallel manner, tied neatly sendiri kerana telah bersikap leka hingga dapat diperdayakan Hence, when he was unconscious, he was carried
kayu yang setebal paha seorang lelaki dewasa. Kayu-kayu with ropes from the coconut husk fibre. oleh lelaki tua yang telah menyamar sebagai Jelal Aydin. and lain on the bed. The culprit must be none other than Jelal
itu telah disusun rapat-rapat secara berjajaran dan diikat rapi Betapa tidak, dalam senyap-senyap minuman tehnya telah Aydin. The imposter had several henchmen who acted as his
dengan tali daripada sabut kelapa. A railing up to their chest level had been fixed on both its right dibubuhi dengan ubat tidur oleh lelaki celaka itu. Namun personal aides.
and left sides. The wooden planks were secured to each other begitu, sememangnya salah dia juga kerana telah menyedari However, what puzzled Ruztem at the moment was
Semacam pagar setinggi paras dada telah dipasang juga di with ropes forming the pattern ‘X’ throughout the bridge. penyamaran lelaki itu agak terlewat kerana dia terlebih dahulu why he was treated so well. Logically, the imposter would have
kanan dan kiri. Batang-batang kayunya telah diikat melintang, terperangkap. placed him in a small and stuffy lock-up. Or was there a ploy
atau ‘X’, sepanjang jambatan tersebut. Realising where they were at the moment, the children became Seyogia semasa dia tidak sedar diri itulah tubuhnya behind all this...?
afraid. The bridge was swinging slowly, blown by the wind. telah diangkut dan lantas dibaringkan di atas katil itu. Tidak
Justeru menyedari di manakah mereka berada ketika ini, salah lagi Jelal Aydin. Penyamar itu memiliki beberapa
budak-budak itu berasa gerun juga. Lebih-lebih lagi apabila orang anak buah yang bertindak sebagai pegawai-pegawai
jambatan itu terhayun-hayun perlahan dek dihembus angin. peribadinya.
Namun apa yang menjadi kemusykilan Ruztem ketika
ini ialah mengapakah dia dilayan begini baik? Sepatutnya si
penyamar itu menempatkannya dalam sebuah bilik kurungan
yang kecil dan pengap. Atau ada muslihat di sebalik ini
semua…?
ONCE UPON A GARDEN CITY 35You can also read
