6 Singapore children's books to read this SG60

Straits Times

4 days ago

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Celebrate Singapore's diamond jubilee and foster a love for reading in your kids with six new local books, including The Day I Forgot My Flag (pictured) by Neil Johnson and Vincent Lee.
SINGAPORE – As Singapore commemorates its 60th year of independence on Aug 9, it is not just a time for celebration. It also presents a valuable chance for your children to develop a deeper understanding of the country's heritage, including its National Anthem and iconic landmarks.
The Straits Times speaks with local authors whose Singapore-themed fun reads sneak in some important messages.
The Day I Forgot My Flag by Neil Johnson and Vincent Lee
It was a National Day Parade (NDP) telecast that inspired Neil Johnson to write his third picture book, The Day I Forgot My Flag.
While awaiting then President S R Nathan's arrival, he observed people in the crowd making a 'V' sign for the cameras. This simple gesture, popularised by former British prime minister Winston Churchill to signify 'victory', sparked an idea in Johnson.
'What if we could use just our fingers to say 'Singapore'? What if our hands could form our very own 'flag'? What if we create a hand symbol that would be a recognisable and sustainable legacy?' he says.
That vision led to the story of Sam, a boy who forgets his flag for the NDP. Surrounded by others proudly waving their flags, Sam feels down until his grandmother's wise saying inspires him to create his own Singapore hand sign.
He raises his right hand, bending his index, middle and ring fingers into a crescent shape, while his left hand, with all five fingers extended, symbolises the five stars.
Author Neil Johnson conceived a hand sign to symbolise the Singapore flag in his picture book, The Day I Forgot My Flag, illustrated by Vincent Lee.
PHOTO: EPIGRAM BOOKS
To bring this story to life, Johnson collaborated with his close friend and colleague Vincent Lee, who illustrated the book. Both 62-year-olds work at a global advertising agency where Johnson is a creative director and Lee heads a team of artists, designers and art directors.
Through Sam's story, Johnson hopes young readers will glean life lessons.
'Everyone forgets things, but it's not the end of the world. People might laugh at you, but you can earn their respect. Your elders have a wisdom that is universal and timeless,' he says.
The core message, he adds, is: 'Your success lies in your heart, in your head and in your hands – you need to act on it. That's really the essence of the Singapore story.'
The book also educates children about the national flag – designed in 1959 by a team led by then Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye – by explaining the meaning of each of its parts.
The Day I Forgot My Flag by Neil Johnson (left) and Vincent Lee recently topped The Straits Times' weekly bestsellers list for children's books for three consecutive weeks.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NEIL JOHNSON
Released in June, it topped The Straits Times' weekly bestsellers list for children's books for three consecutive weeks at one point. The compilation includes bestseller lists from Kinokuniya, Epigram, Wardah Books, Book Bar, Afterimage and Bookshop.sg bookstores.
'Both Vince and I are quite surprised and thrilled by the news. We weren't expecting it,' says Johnson.
He lets on that they dream of the Singapore hand sign gaining widespread adoption.
'Nothing would give us greater satisfaction than the Singapore hand sign catching on – and seeing it being used to cheer us on at games, parades and similar public events.'
Buy the book: $14.90 at major bookstores and publisher Epigram Books' online store at
str.sg/F7J5
Ye Ye And The Singapore National Anthem by Pauline Loh and Kristen Kiong
In the story Ye Ye And The Singapore National Anthem, Pauline Loh and Kristen Kiong weaved in the National Anthem's musical score, Malay lyrics and their English translation.
PHOTO: WORLD SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION
Your kids sing the Singapore National Anthem with gusto in school, but do they – and you – understand the meaning behind its Malay lyrics?
Majulah Singapura, which translates to Onward Singapore, was written by the late Singaporean composer Zubir Said in 1965. Now, new picture book Ye Ye And The Singapore National Anthem offers a line-by-line explanation of the song.
Written by Pauline Loh and illustrated by Kristen Kiong, the story features Ye Ye, or grandfather in Chinese, who becomes emotional upon hearing the anthem on the radio. He then explains the song's poignant meaning and importance to his grandson.
This book is a sequel to Loh's Playtime With Ye Ye, which used play to delve into Singapore's history, including the Japanese Occupation and independence. Released in 2015, it won the Singapore Memory Project Fund and second prize in that year's Samsung KidsTime Authors' Award, a joint initiative by the National Book Development Council of Singapore and Samsung Electronics.
The creative writing teacher has presented the Playtime With Ye Ye story in more than 100 pre-schools in the past decade. Her sequel was inspired by those frequent storytelling visits, where she learnt that educators lacked a standard guide for teaching the anthem.
When writing the book, the 60-year-old says a key challenge was to create a thought-provoking narrative that will appeal to young readers aged three to eight.
She is thankful to team with illustrator Kiong, 36, who enlivens the pages by depicting everyday Singaporean scenes, while seamlessly weaving in the anthem's musical score, Malay lyrics and their English translation.
Pauline Loh's new picture book offers a line-by-line explanation of the National Anthem for readers.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF PAULINE LOH
Loh says teachers have expressed gratitude for her book, finding it a valuable resource for teaching the anthem.
'Teachers agree with me that few adults know the meaning of the Malay lyrics and that we should educate children about them from an early age,' she says.
She urges parents to also engage with the book. 'Why limit it to teachers? I really encourage parents to use this book as a tool to kick-start conversations with their children about patriotism and the values championed in our anthem.'
Buy the book: $12.90 from major bookstores and online via publisher World Scientific Education's official Shopee store at
str.sg/vr2c
Singapore Is 60: Celebrate With Us! by Sharon Koh and Kristen Kiong
All sales proceeds from the picture book Singapore Is 60: Celebrate With Us! will go to the President's Challenge.
PHOTO: SHARON KOH AND KRISTEN KIONG
How will your family celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday? Picture book Singapore Is 60: Celebrate With Us! offers creative ideas for commemorating this milestone anniversary, such as exploring 60 MRT stations or enjoying 60 hawker dishes.
More than just an engaging read, the book by author Sharon Koh and illustrator Kristen Kiong supports a meaningful cause. All sales proceeds will go to the President's Challenge, funding 60 programmes from 52 organisations in 2025.
Sharon Koh, seen here with her children, authored Singapore Is 60: Celebrate With Us! to commemorate the country's birthday and also raise funds for the President's Challenge.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHARON KOH
Since its launch in April, the book has raised more than $3,000.
'Our mission isn't driven by numbers, but by the simple joy of bringing families together through storytelling and sharing what makes Singapore special to us,' says Koh, 44, who works in the sustainability space.
Singapore Is 60 is her second children's book. In 2024, she and Kiong also collaborated on Let's Celebrate NDP!, a fund-raiser for the SAF Care Fund, which supports severely disabled servicemen.
Kristen Kiong is the illustrator behind Singapore Is 60: Celebrate With Us! and Ye Ye And The National Anthem picture books.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF KRISTEN KIONG
For Singapore Is 60, Kiong aims to show Singapore in its ' normality , yet vibrant and beautiful'. She incorporated familiar sights for older generations, such as the zero point game and traditional bird cages, alongside elements reminiscent of her own childhood, like a dustbin painting competition.
To resonate with younger readers, the 36-year-old, who has a day job as a speech therapist, also added contemporary scenes, including an expanded MRT line, video calls and face painting.
Koh adds: 'I hope this book can help inspire families to dream, share stories and celebrate Singapore together.'
Buy the book: $18 at
str.sg/3VTaV and Books Kinokuniya
Secrets Of Singapore: 10th Anniversary Edition by Monica Lim and Lesley-Anne Tan
Monica Lim (left) and her daughter Lesley-Anne Tan with their book, Secrets Of Singapore: 10th Anniversary Edition, which has a holographic cover.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MONICA LIM
Contrary to popular belief, children actually love reading about history. Just ask Monica Lim, 55, and her 28-year-old daughter Lesley-Anne Tan, whose collaborative Secrets Of Singapore series is now in its 10th year.
'We know that history can be dry and uninteresting to children, so we are very gratified that they have enjoyed our books,' Lim says.
Aimed at young readers aged eight to 12, the series' debut book launched in 2015 and explores wide-ranging topics, starting with Sang Nila Utama's arrival in 1299. It also delves into Singapore's early developments in transport, education and food.
The book was a hit and more titles were released over the years. Each offers a deeper dive into a local landmark – including the National Museum, Botanic Gardens and Changi Airport – or explores a theme, such as food and sports.
Released in May, its ninth volume Secrets Of Singapore: 10th Anniversary Edition is an update of the first book and has a special holographic cover.
Lim credits the series' success – with 73,000 copies sold to date – to its accessible and engaging approach to history.
This winning style was developed while they were co-writing their earlier children's series, Danger Dan (2014 to 2015). Although a work of fiction, it incorporated historical elements and humour into its plots.
'When we released the Danger Dan series, which featured historical figures or events of Singapore, we noticed that many children would flip to the fun facts we included at the back of each book.
'We then realised that they enjoyed reading about Singapore's past, but there was no fun children's book on the country's history apart from social studies textbooks, which can be very dry.'
Beyond textbook facts, they included jokes, puns and humorous graphics along with lesser-known information.
Due to their busy schedules, the series was continued by different authors after the initial four books. The next book, scheduled for 2026, will focus on the theme of transport.
Lim notes that it is important for children to learn about Singapore's history.
'Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it,' she says, referencing a famous quote by the late Spanish philosopher George Santayana.
'It is important to know history so that we know who we are, how we got here and what makes Singapore the way it is today.'
Buy the book: $18.90 at major bookstores and publisher Epigram Books' online store at
str.sg/LRHQ
Timmy & Tammy At The National Day Parade by Ruth Wan-Lau and Eliz Ong
First published in 2016, picture book Timmy & Tammy At The National Day Parade has been refreshed with new illustrations.
PHOTO: WORLD SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION
Timmy and Tammy are excited to be at the NDP with their parents, enjoying the splendid sights and sounds, from fighter jets to fireworks.
First published in 2016, picture book Timmy & Tammy At The National Day Parade has been refreshed with new illustrations and republished, along with other books in the series, to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
Written by Ruth Wan-Lau and illustrated by Eliz Ong, the 36 titles in the series are designed for children aged three to eight. They feature the siblings exploring Singapore landmarks and trying new experiences.
The updated Timmy & Tammy At The National Day Parade is a collaborative effort with the NDP executive committee. Colonel Chong Shi Hao, the committee's chairman, wrote the foreword for the book, which includes a QR code for accessing the official NDP playlist on Spotify. The committee will also distribute 4,000 copies to pre-schools.
'Through the eyes of Timmy and Tammy, I hope you'll discover the fun, excitement and heart-warming spirit that make the National Day Parade such a unique and memorable event,' he writes.
Wan-Lau, who is also the publisher at World Scientific Education, was pleasantly surprised by the collaboration. She had reached out to the committee to ask about the 2025 parade highlights she could incorporate in her book's updated edition.
Author Ruth Wan-Lau, who has included the national pledge in her book, hopes that kids and parents can discuss its meaning and purpose.
PHOTO: WORLD SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION
'One of the focuses is the national pledge. I have included the pledge at the back of the book and I hope that children and parents can discuss its meaning and purpose,' says Wan-Lau.
'It is never too early to build gratitude and love for our country in young children. Let's encourage our kids to look beyond themselves and to be thankful.'
Buy the book: $8.90 from major bookstores and online via publisher World Scientific Education's official Shopee store at
str.sg/rzrg
Max & Pax: ABC Of Singapore by Dushyant Pawaskar and Andrew Aprilio
Picture book Max & Pax: ABC Of Singapore, by Dushyant Pawaskar and Andrew Aprilio, encourages young readers to explore the country.
PHOTO: DUSHYANT PAWASKAR
How many of Singapore's iconic locations, from the ArtScience Museum to Joo Chiat to Tiong Bahru, have your children explored?
Picture book Max & Pax: ABC Of Singapore invites young readers to explore the country through the eyes of a boy and his teddy bear.
First-time author Dushyant Pawaskar, 40, uses each letter of the alphabet to introduce various places and cultural elements, complemented by short, rhyming facts. Illustrator Andrew Aprilio, 31, brings the two characters' antics to life as they discover each location.
'The book was a family project to record our adventures in Singapore and to encourage fellow parents to similarly engage in wholesome activities with their kids,' says Pawaskar, a former academic editor who is now venturing into children's book writing and financial services.
He and his wife Agnisha Ghosh, 39, hope the book, published in February, will encourage families to explore the world beyond their screens.
Originally from Mumbai, the couple first visited Singapore in 2014 when they thought 'it's so pretty on the surface and so fascinating underneath', he recalls. When an opportunity arose through her job, they moved here in 2017. They are now permanent residents and their son Advay Pawaskar Ghosh was born in Singapore in 2021.
Dushyant Pawaskar, author of Max & Pax: ABC Of Singapore, and his son Advay Pawaskar Ghosh love visiting local landmarks such as the Istana.
PHOTO: AGNISHA GHOSH
Their parenting philosophy prioritises reading and outdoor activities, leading them to explore the island with Advay. Their favourite places include Gardens by the Bay and Botanic Gardens.
Pawaskar and his son have yet to visit Raffles Lighthouse and Pulau Ubin, two locations featured in his book, but he hopes to do so soon.
While Pawaskar is the author, the creation of Max and Pax was a collaborative effort. His wife and son were actively involved in selecting places and crafting words that would be easy for children to understand, instantly recognisable and culturally significant.
This is just the beginning for the family. He says: 'Our goal is to build a collection of screen-free tools for young children – from colouring mats to puzzles to board games – that help them engage with Singapore in fun, hands-on ways.'