Oranges in the Esplanade is a charming tale set in the vibrant streets of Penang during the Chap Goh Mei festival. Thirteen-year-old Belly participates in the tradition of throwing an orange into the sea to find a connection, leading her to Ah Boon, a boy who shares her deep love for local history. Through text messages and a heartfelt meeting at the Clan Jetties, the two navigate the nervousness...
Set in the vibrant heart of a 1970s Malaysian kampung, The Kuih Kapit Love Letters follows Cindy, a young girl who discovers a creative way to express her feelings for the boy next door, Ah Tuck. Amidst the heat of the charcoal stove and the sweet aroma of traditional baking, Cindy hides secret messages inside the crispy folds of Love Letter biscuits. As they navigate the innocence of youth and...
Seven Wishes in the Air is a heartwarming tale of seven childhood friends, known as the "Seven Stars," who gather for their annual Lunar New Year Yee Sang ritual. As they navigate the daunting transition into their teenage years, each friend adds a specific ingredient to the communal platter, symbolizing their personal struggles—from academic pressure and health scares to grief and loneliness...
The Teoh family’s annual journey to Ipoh turns into a hilarious and heartfelt ordeal when they get trapped in a massive 100-kilometer traffic jam. As the heat rises and the snacks run low, a series of hidden family secrets—ranging from secret durian feasts to traded school shoes—come to light, forcing the family to confront their mishaps before they even reach their destination. Ultimately, a...
The Tides of Desaru Beach follows twelve-year-old Hana, a curious girl living in a Malaysian coastal town, who discovers a mysterious message in a bottle washed up on the shore. The cryptic note leads her on a journey through her family’s history, eventually uncovering the truth about her great-grandfather’s lost ship, the Seri Desaru. By solving the puzzle of "where the hibiscus meets the salt,"...
During a school field trip to Tanjung Piai National Park, 12-year-old Hyuga, a passionate eco-activist, discovers a group of criminals illegally dumping toxic industrial waste into the sensitive mangrove swamps. Despite the danger, Hyuga uses his knowledge of the environment to outsmart the polluters, filming evidence of their crimes while navigating the treacherous mud and tangled roots. His...
"The Echoes in the Batu Caves Stair" is a heartwarming tale of two twelve-year-old boys, Arjun and Malik, who were once inseparable until a misunderstanding drove them apart. A chance encounter during a steep climb up the iconic, colorful stairs of Malaysia's Batu Caves forces them to move past their pride. Amidst the heat, pesky monkeys, and breathtaking views, the boys navigate the difficult...
Kites Over Kepong Metropolitan Park is a touching slice-of-life story about the Lim family, who have become distant and strained following a year of financial hardship. During a Sunday outing to a famous park in Kuala Lumpur, Papa, Meiling, and Wei Han struggle to fly a traditional batik kite. Through the physical challenges of managing the kite and a tense moment with a tangled string, the...
"Monsoon Season Secrets" follows thirteen-year-old Aisha through her heartfelt diary entries, sketches, and notes exchanged with friends during Penang’s longest monsoon season. Feeling overlooked as her best friend Anna drifts toward a new classmate, Aisha discovers a mysterious mural hidden beneath an underpass - one that honors forgotten souls from past floods. With the help of reclusive artist...
