Pineapple Tarts for a Rainy Day is a moving story about twelve-year-old Ah Boy and his aging grandfather, Gong Gong, as they prepare traditional Lunar New Year treats in their family home. As Gong Gong struggles with the early stages of dementia, the sensory experience of baking—specifically the sharp scents of cloves and cinnamon—acts as a "map" to help him navigate back to his memories and his...
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...
Red Envelopes and Empty Pockets follows twelve-year-old Ah Boy as he struggles to live up to his family’s high expectations during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Constantly compared to his "lucky" and high-achieving cousin Ah Bin, Ah Boy feels inadequate until a moment of crisis reveals that true luck isn't found in wealth or grades, but in the strength of one's character. Through a selfless...
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...
"The Taste of Grandma's Asam Laksa" is a heartwarming children's story about Lily and Eddy, who embark on an adventurous quest through the vibrant streets of Penang to find the missing torch ginger flower, a crucial ingredient for their Grandma Bell's legendary asam laksa. Their journey, filled with unexpected encounters and helpful strangers, highlights themes of family tradition...
In 1985 George Town, a curious boy named Arjun builds a simple kite from his late grandfather’s forgotten design, unknowingly reviving a cherished tradition from Penang’s 1957 independence celebrations. With the help of his friends—Eddy, Anna, Lily X, Bell, Lily N, Emma, Hyuga, Pye, and Alexis—he uncovers the powerful story behind the layang-langit kites, symbols of freedom and joy. Together...
Mrs. Lee's eyes squinted in the early morning sun as she stepped out onto the porch of her small townhouse. The chilly spring air brushed against her cheeks, a gentle wake-up call that she hadn't felt in months. She tightened the knot of her blue and white striped apron around her waist and picked up her basket of freshly baked cookies, the sweet scent wafting around her. Her neighbor, Mr. Kim...
