Singapore children's books: 10 Sleepless Sheep for Woolly Nights by Linda Yew
Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 09:02PM For the last few weeks, I've been debating the book I would pick first to review among those hundred-odd books in English for children published in Singapore. We own a few of them, have borrowed many more from the library, and love a fair number of them.
My four-year old daughter thankfully made that choice for me today. The last book she chose tonight to read is also one of her all-time favourites - Linda Yew's delightful counting book 10 Sleepless Sheep for Woolly Nights (2008, Straits Times Press)
Linda is a teacher but there is no preachy tone or message in this book about counting down from 10 sheep to none. In fact, she ventures boldly forth in rhyme. Rhyming is a skill that a writer either has or doesn't - Linda thankfully falls in the former category, turning something as prosaic as counting into a flight of fantasy filled with jewel-like colours, cotton candy, bubbles and birds. In this book, however, the rhyme has to play second fiddle to the illustrations - gorgeous and whimsical, but full of detail, offering so many treasures if one only cares to look closer. Just like the works of great picture book illustrators such as Axel Scheffler.
Our favourite frame is the one of seven sheep and their rainbow showers bearing all sorts of little treats. There is only one reference to Singapore or the region and it isn't forced at all - as it should be. Still, I always crack a smile when a Rafflesia makes an appearance in a reference to pretty flowers.
The paperback format works for the book which is slightly bigger than your usual paperback picture book but it's fairly bendy as a result and has stood the test of many readings really well. The layout with pictures bleeding over into two sides also works well with little detail getting lost in the fold. The graphic designer and publishers definitely got it right with this one.
Overall, it's a great little book that Singapore can be proud to call its own. It does what it sets out to do really well. Counting is so vanilla pudding but here it's a silky flan with caramel bits hidden inside. This a book that could travel and appeal to preschoolers coming to terms with numbers everywhere. I'd even venture to say it definitely sits up there with any of the best in terms of concept and execution.
10 Sleepless Sheep for Woolly Nights by Linda Yew
Reader Comments (2)
I. WANT. THIS. BOOK!!!
Thank you so much for this most excellent review, Sangeetha. =D
Absolutely your daughter has a great choice I must say. The story is so beautiful.