9 books for children in Singapore

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  1 / 9 The Island in the Caldera

  Sisters Min Rui and Chloe escape a mysterious room thanks to the help of a Naga. Thus begins their adventure in a world of mystical creatures at once strange yet familiar, like the Horbo – part man, part water buffalo. How did they get from the HDB flats of Singapore to this place? Why does Chloe have a bell that does not ring? There are more questions than answers in this debut novel by journalist Lin Xueling but, then again, it is the first part in a series. A refreshing take on the tween quest genre, this book fills a much-needed gap in the market by introducing Asian kids to the myths and history of this region.

  Best for ages six and up

  By Lin Xueling, illustrated by Stephanie Raphaela Ho (Math Paper Press, $12, from Books Kinokuniya, Books Actually, K+, Cat Socrates, and online at www.booksactuallyshop.com)

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  2 / 9 Lion City Adventures: Island of Legends

  Do you know how Bukit Merah got its name? Hint: it’s got to do with a swordfish attack on a fishing village in Singapore. This and seven more traditional legends and folk tales from the old Lion City is packed into this book; each chapter also has part of a picture puzzle, which when pieced together, unlocks the truth about a lost treasure from over 100 years ago. There are also pages for colouring in, origami instructions to make a pet turtle of your own, and much more.

  Best for ages six to 10.

  By Don Bosco, illustrated by Sharon Lei (Marshall Cavendish, $15.80, from major bookstores)

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  3 / 9 Singa and the Kindness Cubbies Series - The Friendship Olympiad

  The Fitness Olympiad hits Kindsville Academy once again and Kalle is super excited as she looks forward to winning. But when she’s paired with Tomeo for the event, she has her doubts – he’s always eating and she doesn’t think he’s strong or fast enough to help her win the Olympiad. Kalle soon finds out what wining really means. This Level 3 reader is part of the Singa and the Kindness Cubbies series that teaches kids about character values, using local icon Singa.

  Best for ages five to six.

  By Sheri Tan, illustrated by Sarah Lam (Little Knights, $7.90, from major bookstores)

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  4 / 9 Quokking in Australia: The Travel Diary of Amos Lee

  A Whatsapp group chat among Amos and his friends triggers a decision to visit Perth on an eco-holiday to “eat the biggest emu egg”. It’s a wild ride as the bunch encounters spiky echidnas, camels, poisonous snakes, an emu’s nest and… a quokka, which Amos decides to keep. But all hell breaks loose when he and his friends are caught “torturing” the cute rodent on social media. Will Amos be able to disentangle himself from this knot? Fans of the bestselling Amos Lee series will want to get their hands on this latest instalment.

  Best for ages eight and up.

  By Adeline Foo, illustrated by Stephanie Wong (Epigram Books, $12.90, from major bookstores)

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  5 / 9 Danger Dan and Gadget Girl: The Animal Abduction

  This fast paced, time-travelling tale takes the reader to Singapore in 2135. In this first of a new series, Danger Dan and Gadget Girl are faced with a mess at the zoo – thanks to a new-found secret friend. In the midst of cleaning up said mess, Danger Dan comes face to face with his archenemy – the Cockroach! A gripping read with underlying messages about endangered animals.

  Best for ages six to nine.

  By Lesley-Anne and Monica Lim, illustrated by Elvin Ching (Epigram Books, $10.90, from major bookstores)

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  6 / 9 The Hunt for the Green Boomerang

  A trip to Pulau Ubin turns into a treasure hunt for brothers Alfie, Luke and Pacey when they stumble upon an old map of the island. As they solve the riddles of the map, they uncover the natural “treasures” of Ubin – the many animals and plants that make it special and worth conserving. Kids will enjoy the book’s many humorous moments, and the accompanying activity map will make your next trip to Ubin much more exciting.

  Best for ages six to 10.

  By Neil Humphreys, illustrated by Cheng Puay Koon (Marshall Cavendish Children, $14.65, from major bookstores)

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  7 / 9 Mudley Explores SIngapore

  Take a trip around Singapore through the eyes of Mudley, a bear that belongs to a little girl called Sophie who lives in Europe. Since she has to go to school, Sophie decides to pack Mudley into her dad’s suitcase when he travels overseas. Mudley’s secret ambition is to be an artist and these travels to far-flung countries inspire him. Loaded with fun facts, cheery illustrations and Mudley selfies shot on location, this book – while sharing iconic symbols of Singapore – is an ideal gift for a child.

  Best for ages six to 10.

  By Arp Raph Broadhead (Marshall Cavendish, $18.65, from major bookstores)

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  8 / 9 Mister HDB: The Life and Legacy of Lim Kim San

  How much do you know about Lim Kim San, one of Singapore’s most prominent pioneers? As “Mister HDB”, he played a crucial role in solving Singapore’s acute housing shortage problems in the 1960s. Told in simple, engaging prose for kids, this is part of the Prominent Singaporeans series, which also includes a book on Dr Goh Keng Swee titled Where Have All the Birds Gone?

  Best for ages five to eight.

  By Asad Latif, illustrated by Lee Xin Li (Epigram Books, $14.90, from major bookstores)

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  9 / 9 San's Home

  Home is where the heart is, but one’s imagination knows no bounds. This is a simple story with spaceships, planets… and iconic symbols of Singapore dotted throughout the story. How cool is that? Bite-sized text and colourful illustrations of whimsical characters – it’s a story to read with your child at bedtime; one that you can both use as a base to build your own stories.

  Best for ages three to five.

  By Chew Chia Shao Wei, illustrated by Anngee Neo (World Scientific, $12 for hardback, from major bookstores)

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The Island in the Caldera Sisters Min Rui and Chloe escape a mysterious room thanks to the help of a Naga. Thus begins their adventure in a world of mystical creatures at once strange yet familiar, like the Horbo – part man, part water buffalo. How did they get from the HDB flats of Singapore to this place? Why does Chloe have a bell that does not ring? There are more questions than answers in this debut novel by journalist Lin Xueling but, then again, it is the first part in a series. A refreshing take on the tween quest genre, this book fills a much-needed gap in the market by introducing Asian kids to the myths and history of this region. Best for ages six and up By Lin Xueling, illustrated by Stephanie Raphaela Ho (Math Paper Press, $12, from Books Kinokuniya, Books Actually, K+, Cat Socrates, and online at www.booksactuallyshop.com) Lion City Adventures: Island of Legends Do you know how Bukit Merah got its name? Hint: it’s got to do with a swordfish attack on a fishing village in Singapore. This and seven more traditional legends and folk tales from the old Lion City is packed into this book; each chapter also has part of a picture puzzle, which when pieced together, unlocks the truth about a lost treasure from over 100 years ago. There are also pages for colouring in, origami instructions to make a pet turtle of your own, and much more. Best for ages six to 10. By Don Bosco, illustrated by Sharon Lei (Marshall Cavendish, $15.80, from major bookstores) Singa and the Kindness Cubbies Series - The Friendship Olympiad The Fitness Olympiad hits Kindsville Academy once again and Kalle is super excited as she looks forward to winning. But when she’s paired with Tomeo for the event, she has her doubts – he’s always eating and she doesn’t think he’s strong or fast enough to help her win the Olympiad. Kalle soon finds out what wining really means. This Level 3 reader is part of the Singa and the Kindness Cubbies series that teaches kids about character values, using local icon Singa. Best for ages five to six. By Sheri Tan, illustrated by Sarah Lam (Little Knights, $7.90, from major bookstores) Quokking in Australia: The Travel Diary of Amos Lee A Whatsapp group chat among Amos and his friends triggers a decision to visit Perth on an eco-holiday to “eat the biggest emu egg”. It’s a wild ride as the bunch encounters spiky echidnas, camels, poisonous snakes, an emu’s nest and… a quokka, which Amos decides to keep. But all hell breaks loose when he and his friends are caught “torturing” the cute rodent on social media. Will Amos be able to disentangle himself from this knot? Fans of the bestselling Amos Lee series will want to get their hands on this latest instalment. Best for ages eight and up. By Adeline Foo, illustrated by Stephanie Wong (Epigram Books, $12.90, from major bookstores) Danger Dan and Gadget Girl: The Animal Abduction This fast paced, time-travelling tale takes the reader to Singapore in 2135. In this first of a new series, Danger Dan and Gadget Girl are faced with a mess at the zoo – thanks to a new-found secret friend. In the midst of cleaning up said mess, Danger Dan comes face to face with his archenemy – the Cockroach! A gripping read with underlying messages about endangered animals. Best for ages six to nine. By Lesley-Anne and Monica Lim, illustrated by Elvin Ching (Epigram Books, $10.90, from major bookstores) The Hunt for the Green Boomerang A trip to Pulau Ubin turns into a treasure hunt for brothers Alfie, Luke and Pacey when they stumble upon an old map of the island. As they solve the riddles of the map, they uncover the natural “treasures” of Ubin – the many animals and plants that make it special and worth conserving. Kids will enjoy the book’s many humorous moments, and the accompanying activity map will make your next trip to Ubin much more exciting. Best for ages six to 10. By Neil Humphreys, illustrated by Cheng Puay Koon (Marshall Cavendish Children, $14.65, from major bookstores) Mudley Explores SIngapore Take a trip around Singapore through the eyes of Mudley, a bear that belongs to a little girl called Sophie who lives in Europe. Since she has to go to school, Sophie decides to pack Mudley into her dad’s suitcase when he travels overseas. Mudley’s secret ambition is to be an artist and these travels to far-flung countries inspire him. Loaded with fun facts, cheery illustrations and Mudley selfies shot on location, this book – while sharing iconic symbols of Singapore – is an ideal gift for a child. Best for ages six to 10. By Arp Raph Broadhead (Marshall Cavendish, $18.65, from major bookstores) Mister HDB: The Life and Legacy of Lim Kim San How much do you know about Lim Kim San, one of Singapore’s most prominent pioneers? As “Mister HDB”, he played a crucial role in solving Singapore’s acute housing shortage problems in the 1960s. Told in simple, engaging prose for kids, this is part of the Prominent Singaporeans series, which also includes a book on Dr Goh Keng Swee titled Where Have All the Birds Gone? Best for ages five to eight. By Asad Latif, illustrated by Lee Xin Li (Epigram Books, $14.90, from major bookstores) San's Home Home is where the heart is, but one’s imagination knows no bounds. This is a simple story with spaceships, planets… and iconic symbols of Singapore dotted throughout the story. How cool is that? Bite-sized text and colourful illustrations of whimsical characters – it’s a story to read with your child at bedtime; one that you can both use as a base to build your own stories. Best for ages three to five. By Chew Chia Shao Wei, illustrated by Anngee Neo (World Scientific, $12 for hardback, from major bookstores)