Children's Book Week 2016 - Five Fun Questions with Lim Lay Koon

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

​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 by Lim Lay Har, illustrated by Lim Lay Koon

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 Lay Koon

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.

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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!

Lay Koon at Children's Book Week 2015