Singaporean authors bring local culture to life through stories

by Rheya Agarwal

Scholastic Kid Reporter Rheya Agarwal with Author Gwen Lee
Scholastic Kid Reporter Rheya Agarwal with Author Gwen Lee (photo courtesy of the author).

For decades, parents and teachers have always encouraged children across ages to read books by international authors like Enid Blyton and J.K Rowling. Gwen Lee, Singapore-born, US-based author of eight children’s books always felt something was missing. “I grew up wondering why I never saw my own life in books?” she said. Instead of crumpets and tea, Lee wanted stories with tropical storms and kopi.! In 2015 she published Jack and Jill at Bukit Timah Hill with a Singapore twist: 

 

Jack and Jill went up the hill,
To find the Monkey Man;
Jack fell down, and claimed he was ill,
And left Jill without a plan. 

There are many talented Singaporean authors like Gwen Lee. Adan Jimenez and Felicia Low-Jimenez co-authored Sherlock Sam, a story about Singapore’s greatest kid detective. Ruth Wan’s Timmy and Tammy series follows two children as they explore Singaporean landmarks such as Changi Airport, the MRTs much like the famous Topsy and Tim series. 

 

"Research has shown that culturally relevant stories help kids read better. For example, Elven and The Puzzle Box was set in a fictitious country near Singapore and Malaysia. When my readers in Asia discuss its themes, they connect these to their own backgrounds and family histories." says Lee. Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, an expert on children’s books, describes books as "windows" into other’s world and "mirrors" reflecting our own lives. In Singapore, schools encourage local literature, but bookstores still prioritize Western ‘window’ books, limiting space for Asian books. 

Kinokuniya (photo courtesy of the author).

Singapore’s National Arts Council (NAC) encourages authors through writing competitions where local writers can gain recognition and publishing deals. In fact, Lee got her start through NAC’s Beyond Words contest. “Winning that contest allowed me to publish my first children’s picture book, Little Cloud Wants Snow,” Lee shares. The Singapore Book Council alongside local publishers, bookstores and writers are promoting Singapore literature through ‘#SingLit: Go Local - Read our World’ movement. This movement engages readers through activities like book readings, stage plays based on titles and many more programs. 

 

By engaging with these initiatives and supporting our local authors at libraries and bookstores, we ensure that children have access to books that not only entertain but also reflect their history and help in cultural identity. 

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