The best books for kids by local authors

By Edmund Wee

Kids say the darndest things, and at times, ask awkward questions. This 2018 Singapore Book Awards-winning series answers questions about Singapore’s cultural diversity that the young curious minds might have such as “why do the Chinese shout Yam Seng?”, “why do Indians dot their foreheads?”, “why do Malays avoid pork?”, and “why do Eurasians love sugee cake?” 

“We made sure to run through the books’ content through various focus groups sourced from representative ethnic communities and associations to ensure that any sensitivities are adequately addressed,” states Epigram Books, prior to the books’ release.

Understanding Singaporeans ($12.90) is available to purchase from Epigram Books.

By Monica Lim, Lesley-Anne Tan and James Tan

One for the history buffs including the young and the young at heart, this series takes readers on an adventure with the superhero duo Danger Dan and Gadget Girl to uncover the nation’s past, from Sang Nila Utama’s arrival in 1299 to Singapore’s independence in 1965. It also goes beyond the school textbooks by covering everything from history to politics, as well as transport, education and food, with interesting commentaries and attention-grabbing illustrations.

Secrets of Singapore ($14.90) is available to purchase from Epigram Books.

By Eunice Olsen

More than a familiar face on TV, Eunice Olsen is also the girl boss behind this series of poems. Inspired by the interviews she has done on her International Emmy-nominated series WomenTalk, the children’s book celebrates the girl power of 10 strong and courageous women from Singapore, the Philippines, Nepal and Thailand, including Lek who runs an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, and Lily Goh who advocates on behalf of the deaf community in Singapore.

I’m a Girl. See what I can be! ($18.60) is available to purchase from Eunice Olsen Media.

By Pauline Loh

If you've read Lion Boy and Drummer Girl which reimagines the traditional art of lion dance as a pop sensation, you'd want to get your hands on this follow-up. The sequel starts with two lion dance group members swearing off dating only to find themselves in a pickle when they meet a couple of strange girls. From cyberbullying to garbage bombing, it's troubled times ahead for this pair as they deal with an anti-fan while trying to remain the pride of lion dance in the Lion City. Will they ever catch a break?

Lion Boys and Fan Girls ($16.90) is available to purchase from Epigram Books.

 By Lin Xueling

What started as a series of short stories Lin Xueling wrote to amuse and distract the young children she reads to every week at Kidsread, a National Library Board volunteer reading programme, has become an adventurous page-turner for kids aged 11 and above. A first of a trilogy, The Island in the Caldera is set in Asia based on a conflation of several real-life volcanic lakes in this region. It trails after sisters Min Rui and Chloe who embark on a perilous journey home through the strange island, facing tree dragons and stinky giants while battling hunger and fatigue along the way.

The Island in the Caldera ($12) is available to purchase from Localbooks.sg.