The Glow from Below is a magical realism adventure set in the iconic Waitomo Caves of New Zealand. Ari, a twelve-year-old boy of Asian descent, embarks on a secret mission with his cousin Jun to recover their grandmother’s lost jade pendant from the cave's depths. During the journey, Ari discovers a supernatural connection with the glowworms, realizing they respond to his thoughts and emotions...
Liam, a twelve-year-old boy struggling with a paralyzing fear of heights, travels to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park with his family. While hiking the Hooker Valley Track, he loses his grandfather’s precious vintage compass and must overcome his phobia to retrieve it from a dangerous slope. Through this solo ordeal in the shadow of New Zealand's tallest peak, Liam learns that true courage is not...
Ten-year-old Lila Tan discovers the Library of Infinite Tomorrows, a magical place where every book reveals a different version of her life based on the choices she might make. Guided by the whimsical Mr. Peregrine, Lila explores paths filled with joy, regret, and lessons that teach her the importance of every decision. Through her journey, she learns that while the future is uncertain, the...
Linh, a city girl obsessed with capturing the "perfect" social-media-worthy photo, travels to the Mu Cang Chai rice terraces during the harvest season. Through her interactions with her hardworking cousins and a humbling fall into the mud, she realizes that true beauty isn't found in untouched landscapes, but in the grit, sweat, and communal joy of the people who shape the land.
Chai, a brilliant young boy in Bangkok, manages to upgrade his father’s struggling tuk-tuk with a "Spirit-Drive" engine that runs without fuel, only to discover that the device acts as a beacon for intergalactic travelers. As purple giants and robotic drones begin to crowd the streets of Thailand, Chai and his father must navigate a high-speed chase through the city's famous landmarks to protect...
The Great Reunion Race follows a determined young boy named Eddy as he braves the chaotic "Chunyun" travel rush to make it home for his family's Spring Festival dinner. From navigating packed train stations using his "Eel Wiggle" to hitching a ride on a broken-down bus with a talkative Auntie and a basket of chickens, Eddy faces numerous comedic obstacles. Ultimately, the story highlights the...
Eddy feels lost and pressured by the expectations of growing up in the fast-paced environment of Kuala Lumpur. During a family outing to the Perdana Botanical Garden, he discovers a mysterious, ancient compass that refuses to point North, instead guiding him through a series of metaphorical encounters within the park's lush landscapes. Through a brush with a mysterious artist and helping others...
The Butterworth Ferry’s Farewell is a poignant, lyrical story that follows a multi-generational Malaysian family as they take the final voyage of the iconic Sri Melaka ferry across the Penang Strait. As the aging vessel makes its last journey from Butterworth to George Town, Ah Leng, her husband Ah Tuck, their daughter Nana, and young grandson Eddy are enveloped in waves of memory, love, and...
"Where the Breadfruit Falls" is a heartwarming historical realism story set in 1978 during Penang's rubber boom. Ten-year-old Ethan, forced to work in a rubber plantation near Balik Pulau instead of attending school, discovers an ancient breadfruit tree with names carved into its trunk by children from decades past. Inspired, he begins writing letters to these unknown children, secretly tucking...
In the dusty, sun-soaked town of Kamunting, where cacti waved like friendly neighbors, 11-year-old Anna zoomed through the streets on her trusty skateboard, its wheels humming a song only she could hear. Her curly hair bounced under her neon-green helmet, and her eyes sparkled with dreams bigger than the desert sky. Anna wasn’t just any kid—she was the fastest skater in town, and she had a...