With Singapore literature enjoying newfound popularity, the #BuySingLit campaign is hot stuff right now. Aimed at promoting the local book scene and running from today through this weekend (24-26 Feb), there are loads of events for young and old bookworms alike.
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If you’re not sure what books to buy for your child, or where to get them, here are 10 local favourites to check out at #BuySingLit. Encouraging their reading habits, and introducing them to local characters they relate to, can only be a good thing!
Forget Kai Kai and Jia Jia, these cute panda characters Bo Bo and Cha Cha (named after our iconic local dessert) are a hit with the kids. The highly popular Bo Bo and Cha Cha series, by author Jason Erik Lundberg, shows the pandas coming to the Mandai Zoo and exploring their new home.
Get it at Epigram Books.
Teach your kids about Singapore’s founding father with this story, which was shortlisted for the Red Dot Book Awards. You’ll be surprised to learn more about Lee Kuan Yew’s childhood as well, as he was a mischievous kid who loved kites, marbles and fighting fish. It’s available in both English and Mandarin.
Get it at Epigram Books.
This bestselling book tells the history of Singapore in a superbly refreshing way, tracing our origins as people of Temasek through British colonisation. History comes alive with stories and pictures of samsui women, cattle farms, and neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Kampong Glam.
Get it at localbooks.sg
This bittersweet tale of little boy Luke and his best friend, Grandma, won the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award in 2013, and it’s easy to see why. It chronicles the change in Luke’s life when Grandma gets Alzheimer’s disease, and forgets Luke’s name, where she lives, and everything important in her life. The beautiful illustrations by Tan Zi Xi also accompany the powerful story perfectly.
Get it at Epigram Books.
This fantasy story about the fictional Island in the Caldera follows sisters Min Rui and Chloe, who must explore the land to go home. The setting is based on real Asian places, history and mythology, which is really educational for kids.
Get it at Books Actually.
Written in verse, this beautiful picture book is about a blue kangaroo on the lookout for an adventure, who discovers friendship is the most exciting adventure of all. Author David Seow has published 43 books, including The Sam Sebbie and Di-Di-Di series.
Get it at Woods In The Books.
Written by local author Amonster02, this series is about Ryan, who’s returned to Singapore from America and struggles to make friends. Bored by dull lessons in school, he goes on adventures hunting down dinosaur bones.
Buy it at Kinokuniya.
Six-year-old Emma is lonely while her parents are busy working, and discovers newfound joy when she adiots a tabby cat sitting outside her window. The Emma and Ginger series has four books, all chronicling Emma’s adventures with her parents and her cat, Ginger.
Get it at Epigram Books.
How well do your kids know the local ‘karang guni man’? Make the role come to life for your kids with the story of Ming the Karang Guni Boy, who is inspired to make things out of miscellaneous items he collects from neighbours. It’s a great way to teach kids about recycling and creativity!
Think of this as a local twist on the Paddington bear series. Mudley the teddy bear travels from his home in Europe, with his owner Sophie, to Singapore, exploring our local spots like Pulau Ubin. We love how the book includes shots of Mudley ‘on location’ at Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa and more!
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