Not enough books on Singapore heroes for kids

MY TWO primary school children and I love to read books about ordinary people of good character who contribute to society. But there are hardly any age-appropriate books in libraries or bookshops for children to read about ordinary, upstanding Singaporeans.

We read or hear about them only when books or reviews are published - and only in adult versions.

Primary school pupils learn and hear about war heroine Elizabeth Choy, her work and suffering from a handful of pages, and only during their school years. There should also be more coverage and a few more pages on Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew for school children.

History-wealthy nations like the United States are awash with publications for different age groups. For instance, books and biographies on Martin Luther King, whose civil rights movement changed American history, and Harriet Tubman, a slave who risked her life to help others, are aplenty for all age groups.

The children's section of local bookshops and libraries have so many more heroes and heroines of foreign countries than of Singaporeans.

When children have little or no access to Singapore stories and ordinary folk's lives through books, is it any surprise that they do not identify with the heartland as they are more exposed to people of other countries?

It is good that through social studies in school, children are exposed to Singapore history. It will be a lot better if stories of Singapore heroes and ordinary folk for children are aplenty in the form of books.

Amanda Kwan (Madam)

Clivebenss

10 Apr 10, 19:21

Is this paving a way to include LKY as a hero?

NG QIBO AARON AUBREY

10 Apr 10, 19:27

Ho Ching is our Shero

Clivebenss

12 Apr 10, 05:58

Mr Milo

13 Apr 10, 16:02

Milo Hero!

Clivebenss

16 Apr 10, 19:49

Apr 16, 2010 - ST Forum

More books about local heroes

I REFER to last Saturday's letter by Madam Amanda Kwan ('Not enough books on Singapore heroes for kids'). As a student, I love to read books about ordinary heroes as well. I have spent countless recesses in my primary school library reading Asiapac comics and stories about them.

I agree there are many more books about heroes and heroines of foreign countries than Singapore heroes in public libraries. So far, I have read only books about the war heroes of Singapore as well as political heroes.

Even now in secondary school, texts on this are rarely seen in textbooks. We learn only about other countries' successful characters.

I believe Singapore has no lack of heroes. How will children of the future generation react when they go to a library in search of local legends and find only a few books on this subject? There is no lack of Singapore stories to be made public.

I hope the textbooks can be revised to include more examples such as World War II hero Tan Chong Tee and others.

Tiew Yong Xian