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New! Borneo Animals Series

17/3/2017

2 Comments

 
We have seen and read many children's books on animals and are absolutely thrilled with this new Borneo Animal series written by Beverley Hon and illustrated by Lim Lay Koon.
Firstly, these are animals which are found in our backyard, so to speak. Secondly, the books are beautifully written and thirdly, the illustrations are just right. We start with three books in the series: the binturong or bear cat, the tapir and the slow loris. 
Borneo Animals Series : Binturong - picture book by Beverley Hon, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon, published by Oyez!Books
Borneo Animals Series : Tapir - picture book by Beverley Hon, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon, published by Oyez!Books
Borneo Animals Series : Slow Loris - picture book by Beverley Hon, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon, published by Oyez!Books
Beverley grew up in Borneo and had close encounters with many wild animals. To listen to her talk of them is both fascinating and informative and we are glad she has decided to put pen to paper. These books are for the very young, from 3-5 years. There isn't a lot of text but it is succinct and fun to read and recite. 
One can imagine reading the text along with hand movements and facial expressions, such  as 'Slowly, silently, slow loris is never in a hurry'. Then get the children to act it out with you. Crawl, stomp, roll and recite. 
Borneo Animals series by Beverley Hon
Author Beverley Hon
Borneo Animals Series : Slow Loris - picture book by Beverley Hon, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon, published by Oyez!Books
Borneo Animals Series : Binturong - picture book by Beverley Hon, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon, published by Oyez!Books
We expect three more titles to be added later this year including the pangolin and the orangutan with more to come. If you want to make sure an animal is not missed out, just put it down in the comments below.
Note: these books are printed entirely on thick card and sewn in the centre, with wraparound cover. They are in a good square size, making them friendly for both children and the adults reading to them.
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New Book: Pak Belang the Tiger

17/3/2017

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The long-awaited book, Pak Belang the Tiger, will be ready on 18th March. Author Rossiti Aishah Rashidi has had a string of successful animal and environmental-themed books for children. She wrote this one as if she is having a pleasant chat with children, making her text simple and easy to understand. 
Pak Belang the Tiger - picture book by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Widiyatno, published by Oyez!Books
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Rossiti Aishah Rashidi
Rossiti personally chooses the illustrators she wants for her books. This does not always work well as authors do not necessarily make the right choice - or at least the publishers do not think so! The right illustrations in a picture book are critical and many publishers prefer to choose their own illustrators. Fortunately for Rossiti, she has a successful formula and is sticking to it. Simple text combined with outstanding realistic and detailed illustrations make her books winners. Pak Belang the Tiger is no exception - the illustrations by Indonesian artist Widiyatno are breathtaking.
Pak Belang the Tiger - picture book by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Widiyatno, published by Oyez!Books
One of Rossiti's book, Puteri Tioman the Green Turtle was awarded the IBBY Honour list for best writing. The same book was also animated by a Taiwan publisher who told us it was used to profile and showcase their animations. When we told them a book on a tiger will be out soon, they immediately begged us to sign the contract with them. And this without seeing the book. We are sure that they will not be disappointed when we finally show them Pak Belang the Tiger at the Bologna Book Fair this April.
Puteri Tioman the Green Turtle - picture book by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Farrah Ashiela Samsuri, published by Oyez!Books
Pak Belang, as many of us know, is the Malay nickname for tiger and means Mr Stripes. Pak Belang is the King of the Malaysian forest. He is a carnivore and a top predator. But one animal is not afraid of him. Guess which? Pak Belang is a good swimmer but is not so good at climbing. He kills his prey instantly with a bite on the neck. However, Pak Belang has one great enemy – humans. Today, there are not many tigers left in the wild. Pak Belang, the Malayan tiger is on the list of critically endangered animals. 
Pak Belang the Tiger - picture book by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Widiyatno, published by Oyez!Books
This information and other fascinating facts are found in the book. Whether reading alone or being read to, children are likely to find the book engrossing. Teachers and educators may also use the book as an additional  resource. Rossiti is a frequent speaker on environmental issues. Write to us at contact@oyezbookstore.com if you wish to invite her to your school. 
Add this valuable and beautiful book to your home or school library.
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New: Kampung, a Colouring Book

17/3/2017

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In Malaysia, no word is more evocative and nostalgic than the word kampung. It comprises all things good that belong to the home and to an earlier more innocent time. 
Elly Nor Suria has sought to capture scenes around the kampung especially in the different types of houses and the life around them. This can be seen in the sarongs hanging out to dry and the neatly planted plants and pots of flowers. In one colouring plate, houses are grouped together higgledy-piggledy on winding road tracks while in another, a house stands proudly with concrete stairs and floral curtains. 
Elly Nor Suria
Kampung - Colouring Book by Elly Nor Suria, published by Oyez!Books
Kampung - Colouring Book by Elly Nor Suria, published by Oyez!Books
Kampung - Colouring Book by Elly Nor Suria, published by Oyez!Books
Whether you love colouring or not, you will want this book in your collection. Each page is printed on one side only with the reverse blank. Pull out the page after you have coloured it, frame it or make a card with it. They are also beautiful by themselves in black and white. Perfect as a gift or get it for yourself and keep the kampung close to your heart. 
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New Books by Emila Yusof

17/3/2017

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One of our more prolific authors, Emila Yusof, has added two more picture books to her collection. However, these books are different from the others such as her very popular Dina series - My Mother's Garden, My Mother's Kitchen and My Father's Farm -  and her bestselling Legendary Princesses of Malaysia.
Emila Yusof
Emila Yusof
My Mother's Garden by Emila Yusof published by Oyez!Books
My Mother's Kitchen by Emila Yusof published by Oyez!Books
My Father's Farm by Emila Yusof published by Oyez!Books
Legendary Princesses of Malaysia by Emila Yusof published by Oyez!Books
Hearts, her latest picture book, is a wordless book. Done in her favourite medium, water colour, the illustrations have softer colours and feel. Appropriately so, the story is about a girl finding a bottle of hearts and returning each heart to the owner. When she finds one heart broken, she mends it carefully. Unable to locate the owner, she wears the heart on her sleeve hoping that somehow the owner may recognise and claim it. Meanwhile, the 'heartless' owner is angry and destructive.
There are many layers to this story and the use of metaphors in the illustrations is rather clever. While not strictly for children, a child will enjoy the more direct messages of the story. Read into it whatever you wish and it will probably speak to you in different ways at different times and that's the job of a good book.
Hearts by Emila Yusof, wordless picture book published by Oyez!Books
Hearts by Emila Yusof, wordless picture book published by Oyez!Books
Emila's next picture book is Puteri Gunung Ledang, written in Bahasa Malaysia. The story of the Princess from Mount Ledang has appeared in books, movies and plays and it is rather surprising that Emila has chosen to add to the plethora. But Emila explains that she wishes to convey the Princess's  feelings as if Emila herself was standing behind the Princess. This contrasts with many stories, especially those written for children, where the Princess is rather passive. Indeed, the original story was likely told to show how great and powerful the Sultan of Melaka was. Although he didn't win her hand, it was not because he lacked the power but because he was conscious of his duty towards his heir and country.  
Puteri Gunung Ledang by Emila Yusof, published by Oyez!Books
Emila's illustrations for Puteri Gunung Ledang uses the motifs of Malaysian batik sarongs which can be seen in the repeated floral and plant designs placed symmetrically. However, unlike the bright colours of batik, Emila uses primarily red, yellow, grey and white, resulting in a subdued effect. 
Puteri Gunung Ledang by Emila Yusof, published by Oyez!Books
The story is told in poetry which gives it drama and pathos, suitable for a play. This is definitely one book to add to your collection if you are a fan of folktales and a collector of beautiful picture books. 
Note: We  would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the editor, Datuk Hjh Zaiton Ajamain.
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Heidi Shamsuddin and The Case of The House At No. 74

13/10/2016

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There is a brand new book coming up in the popular The Door Under the Stairs series! Written by Heidi Shamsuddin, this series describes the adventures of three children, Joe, Emil and Hanna, who travel back in time through a secret door under the stairs that they discover in school. They meet famous personalities from Malaysia's history and help ensure history stays its course. In the first book, the three children find the National Anthem for the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. In the second book, they meet the famous P. Ramlee and help him re-discover his inspiration. In the third book, they encourage Mokhtar Dahari to pursue his love for football.
Heidi Shamsuddin, author of The Door Under the Stairs series published by Oyez!Books
Heidi Shamsuddin
The Case of The House At No. 72 - chapter book by Heidi Shamsuddin, The Door Under The Stairs series published by Oyez!Books
So who will the children meet next in the The Case of the House at No. 74, the fourth book in the series? The answer is Sybil Kathigasu! Sybil was a nurse who supported the resistance during World War  2. She was the only Malaysian woman to be ever awarded with the George Medal for bravery. We asked Heidi to share her thoughts on this exciting new book.
Q1: What made you decide to write about Sybil Kathigasu?
Because she's one cool lady. I read her memoir and was bowled over at the things she achieved in her short life. I was also surprised that not many people know about her and I wanted to fix that. So I wrote a story about Sybil Kathigasu.
Q2: How much research did you do to write this book?
Quite a lot but thankfully everything was in her memoir (which is called 'No Dram of Mercy'). I also took a trip to Papan with my family to have a look at her house at No. 74, which is the title of this book. It was really fun. My kids and I snuck around her house and pretended to be rebels who used to knock on her back door!
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The house at No. 74 where Sybil lived with her family
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The children is found by the rebels
The Case of The House At No. 72 - chapter book by Heidi Shamsuddin, The Door Under The Stairs series published by Oyez!Books
Dinner with the Kathigasu family
Q3: Where do you like to work?
I'm not one of those writers who can work in cafes and with other people.I only really like to work alone at home, in my special writing den, with the door shut and the curtains drawn. Yes, I like to write alone in the dark...
Q4: What are you working on now?
Lots and lots of things. The next Door Under the Stairs book will be about how tin was discovered in Perak by... elephants! I will also have a new picture book out called 'Chickaboo the Ostrich'. This book was inspired by the ostrich who was found running down the Federal Highway back in June this year and it's going to be illustrated by the great Lim Lay Koon! I can't wait for that one.

Preorder The Case of The House At No. 74 now at a SPECIAL preorder price and get great savings as well as a free notebook! The book will be available for delivery from 15th October.
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Oyez!Books Signs Animal Series by Beverley Hon

21/6/2016

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Oyez!Books will be publishing a series of animal concept books written by Beverley Hon. The books aim to introduce local animals to children six and below. Each book will describe one animal, highlighting its key features, using simple rhythmic text and accompanied by illustrations. The first five books in the series will introduce the slow loris, the binturong (bear cat), the Malayan tapir, the orangutan and the pangolin. The publication date for the first three books is set for November 2016.
Slow Loris
By David Haring / Duke Lemur Center - email, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12310853
Binturong
By TassiloRau at the German language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=207524
Picture
By Piekfrosch at the German language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1788311
Tapir
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=180337
Orangutan
By Eleifert - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3913620
Beverley Hon spent her childhood playing with wild animals – at home, in the jungle and at the zoo – and grew up with flying foxes, slow lorises, a civet cat and wild boar as pets. She was a journalist with The Star for 13 years and has been involved in cheerleading since she was 14. Beverley has now paired her love for animals and writing with her knack for rhyming in this upcoming series. 
The illustrator for the series is Lim Lay Koon who illustrated Atuk's Amazing Sarong, Menagerie and the chapter book series, The Door Under the Stairs.
Beverly Hon, Oyez! new author
Beverley Hon
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Children's Book Week 2016 - Getting to Know Rossiti Aishah Rashidi

27/5/2016

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Rossiti Aishah Rashidi is a homemaker, mother of five, writer and environmental advocate. She is actively involved in various environmental associations and organisations as a volunteer as well as a committee member. Her first picture book was Manja the Orang Utan. This was followed by Puteri Tioman, the Green Turtle, which was selected for the International Board of Books for Young People Honours List 2014. Siti the Elephant is her third book. She lives in Selangor with her husband and children. 
Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, children's book author
Rossiti Aishah Rashidi
​1. Tell us something about yourself that no one knows.
​I like to make my own bed. It's a very personal thing. Even in hotels I make my own bed. I feel it's embarrassing to leave a messy bed. 
​2. What makes you laugh?
My cats at home make me laugh a lot. They're so funny and so easy to love. We don't own cats, cats own us because we do everything for them, and that is funny!
Puteri Tioman by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Farah Ashiela Samsuri, published by Oyez!Books
Puteri Tioman by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Farah Ashiela Samsuri
Siti the Elephant by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Farah Ashiela Samsuri, published by Oyez!Books
Siti the Elephant by Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, illustrated by Farah Ashiela Samsuri
3. What inspires you?
The Quran, people and my surroundings inspire me. There are so much we don't know and that makes this world so mysterious.
​4. Why do you think children should read?
Children should read because there's just so much to know about this beautiful world and all of its people. Books can bring the mystery of this world and universe which are sometimes wild and dangerous into the comfort and safe environment of our homes and schools. Then only we understand what's lies around us and how all of us are connected to all lives and creations.
5. Draw or doodle your favourite animal.
Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, children's book author
Elephant doodle by Rossiti!

Rossiti Aishah Rashidi will be conducting a Storytime and Craft time session on Sunday, 29th May based on her books - Puteri Tioman and Siti the Elephant. Come meet her during Children's Book Week 2016 at the Concourse, Bangsar Village II, and learn more about the beautiful animals in Malaysia.
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Children's Book Week 2016 - Short and Sweet with Yusof Gajah

26/5/2016

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Yusof Gajah has a deep and abiding love for children’s books and working with children. While a busy artist, he has managed to write and illustrate a number of books for children and have won the National Book Council Award for best picture book and the Noma Concours (ACCU) award for best illustrations. His popular picture book, ‘The Real Elephant’ was first published in Malay and has been translated into Japanese. Its enduring qualities have enabled an English publication in 2010. He has also created the ‘ELEPHABET’ which continues to attract both children and adults. 
Yusof Gajah, artist, children's book author and illustrator
Yusof Gajah
1. Why do you like writing/illustrating children’s books?
I want children to enjoy looking at art and reading.
2. What makes you laugh?
Thinking of my mistake.
Elephant Teapot - children's picture book by Yusof Gajah, published by Oyez!Books
Elephant Teapot by Yusof Gajah
3. What is the best day of your life?
Doing nothing.
4. What are your top 3 tips on writing stories for children?
a. Be a child
b. Read more children's books
c. Use your imagination
The Real Elephant - children's picture book by Yusof Gajah, published by Oyez!Books
The Real Elephant by Yusof Gajah
5. What inspires you?
a. Nature
b. Children


Yusof Gajah will be conducting a Storytime sesssion on Friday, 3 June during Children's Book Week 2016 at the Concourse, Bangsar Village II.  Come meet Yusof - the artist, author, illustrator, judge and curator of beautiful art and books.
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Children's Book Week 2016 - Quintessentially Susanna Goho-Quek

25/5/2016

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Susanna Goho-Quek grew up in a large family and was surrounded by opera performers as her mother had managed a Chinese Opera troupe. She has published a book Fun At the Opera based on her experiences, and another book, God is Hu? which celebrates creation and nature, as well as a series of colouring books. Susanna is Singaporean and spends her time between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. She is actively involved in art classes for children and adults, encouraging their creativity to blossom. 
Susanna Goho-Quek, children's book author, artist, curator
Susanna Goho-Quek
1. What inspires you?
Could be a whiff of smoke, a twinkling star so sparkly in the deep midnight sky, glorious colours of sunset, trill of a family of sunbirds, a baby's gurgle and when he or she stretches out their little hand and encloses your finger and promptly puts it to their mouth to suckle, pure unadulterated laughter, the "shrush  shrush" of waves, picking dead leaves and enjoying their myriad colours (as if God said, .."In your last breath, you die a glorious coloured death" and finding Magic in nature...I could go on and on  and write a novel about it.
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2. What do you like to do on Sundays?
Why Sunday? What makes it different from other days? The sun rises  and sets...it's no different from any other days. Sometimes I would like to lie on a hammock, at times work myself into a frenzy. It's just like any other day except when we go to market and I cook up a storm.
3. What makes you laugh?
Laugh? What's that? Ha Ha!
Fun At the Opera, children's picture book by Susanna Goho-Quek, published by Oyez!Books
Fun At the Opera by Susanna Goho-Quek
4. What are your 3 tips for writing/illustrating children's books?
Tips...As if, I, an artist can advice? Follow your heart and soul and let that motto guide you.
5. Draw or doodle something you enjoy.
​When I see little kiddos, I sketch and it sometimes inspires me to write wild cheeky stories.
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Susanna Goho-Quek will be conducting two Storytime and Craft sessions based on her book Fun At the Opera on Thursday, 2 June and Friday, 3 June at Children's Book Week 2016, happening at the Concourse, Bangsar Village II.

Listen to the tale about the magnificent Chinese Opera and learn how to make Chinese Opera Masks with Susanna!
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Children's Book Week 2016 - Five Fun Questions with Lim Lay Koon

25/5/2016

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Lim Lay Koon works with computers and is a self-taught illustrator. She loves children’s books and enjoys illustrating the little details of everyday life. She has published several books with her sister Lim Lay Har - Atuk’s Amazing Sarong and Master & Apprentice, The Calistro Prize 2012 winner; and won several awards such as the Samsung Kidstime Author’s Award 2015, and the DBP Picture Book Award 2012. 
Lim Lay Koon, children's book author and illustrator
Lim Lay Koon
​1. What is your favourite movie?
E.T. was really good. I loved the original Indiana Jones and Star Wars trilogy, and more recent movies being the Lord of The Rings trilogy and Kingsmen Secret Service (Colin Firth as a super spy - what can go wrong with that?).
​2. Why do you like to read?
For me, it has always been about the stories.  Stories of far-off places, interesting characters, magical realms, exciting mysteries… But the best thing is that in the process of reading, I also widen my knowledge, broaden my mind and hopefully, improve myself as a person.
Atuk's Amazing Sarong - children's picture book by Lim Lay Har, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon, published by Oyez!Books
Atuk's Amazing Sarong by Lim Lay Har, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon
Menagerie, Fun with Animal Groups - children's picture book by Lim Lay Koon published by Oyez!Books
A Sleuth of Bears - from Menagerie, Fun with Animal Groups by Lim Lay Koon
3. Who is your favourite author/illustrator and why?
I love Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett – they are wildly imaginative and so much fun.  Their stories sometimes have some thought provoking messages but these are usually presented in subtle ways that are not preachy or in your face.
4. Draw or doodle your favourite animal.
I like a lot of animals! Here’s one of a Tanuki inspired by a really cute song by Eartha Kitt called Shojoji.  Tanuki is actually a Japanese raccoon dog that is quite significant in Japanese culture and folktales.
Tanuki, Japanese Raccoon dog illustration by Lim Lay Koon
Tanuki - Japanese Raccoon Dog illustration by Lay Koon
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The real life Tanuki - photo from Wikipedia
5. Tell us something about yourself that no one knows.
My perseverance is horrible when it comes to learning new skills.  I tend to try out a lot of stuff but never master any – piano, ballet, tai chi, yoga, latin dance, jewellery making... It's a mind boggling list of half-hearted attempts. Now, I am trying to  keep at my erhu lessons – wish me luck.

Catch Lim Lay Koon at Children's Book Week 2016 at the Concourse, Bangsar Village II.  She will be conducting Storytime and Craft sessions based on her book Atuk's Amazing Sarong on Tuesday, 31st May and Wednesday, 1st June, and based on Menagerie, Fun with Animal Groups on Thursday, 2nd June.  

Join her for some sarong action and animal escapades!
Lim Lay Koon, children's book author and illustrator, Children's Book Week 2015
Lay Koon at Children's Book Week 2015
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