Fun With Kids: Mandarin family talent quest, dance film, children’s book about World War II in Singapore

Feb 8 marks the 80th anniversary of the Japanese invasion of Singapore in World War II – and is also the launch day of We Shall Remember: The Story Of Singapore At War written for kids aged nine to 12.

Author Sim Ee Waun says hers is possibly the first and only children’s book that traces Singapore’s entire war experience, from the Japanese invasion of Kota Bharu in northern Malaya on Dec 8, 1941, to the Japanese surrender in 1945.

“I wrote this like a story and put the spotlight on the human experience, rather than just the facts, so readers can see, hear and feel to some extent what it was like to be in that moment,” she tells The Straits Times.

There are gripping accounts of ordinary people, such as the young girls who made the iconic Changi quilts while they were held in Changi Prison during the war.

“Hopefully, young readers can relate to these characters a little better by seeing that this war affected people like them too,” says Sim.

She included fast facts, explanations and glossaries to engage children. There are also detailed illustrations and maps by Lim An-ling.

Sim adds that it is important for everyone, not just kids, to know Singapore’s war stories. “It is our past and part of our identity, and is a source of pride when you realise so many people among us had stepped up during these terrible times and when you find out about the amazingly courageous things they did.”

Published by Pepper Dog Press, the book is available from Feb 8 and retails at $15 before GST at selected stores, including Books Kinokuniya and www.epigrambookshop.sg.