Doing the Write Thing: Ng Swee San (2nd Edition)
Less than a year after the publication of Chop-Chop the Trishaw, children's book author Ng Swee San is back with the third book in the Really Wheelie Buddies series: Suka-Suka the Cement Truck.
It tells the story of a cement truck who refuses to follow instructions, and chooses to mix cement whenever he wants, and however he wants. Needless to say, the results are disastrous and he causes trouble not only for himself, but those around him as well. That's where Suka-Suka learns to be more responsible in his job.
Read on to find out more about how this series champions our local transport vehicles, and at the same time, contains nuggets of wisdom for young readers to gain after an enjoyable story time session.
What is Suka-Suka the Cement Truck about?
Suka-Suka the Cement Truck is about a construction truck who goes around building things, but in a very haphazard way, and causes a mess. He has to learn that he must follow procedure rather than breaking the rules suka-suka.
Why choose a cement truck for this book?
While the cement truck is messy, it is also very necessary and essential to building society and creating a vibrant culture, because we need offices, factories, etc. So even though it looks very humble, and not very sexy, but like a lot of essential artists, it is essential.
What are some lessons children can learn from your books?
Suka-Suka the Cement Truck is about the fact that you cannot go around making a mess without consequences, and that you need to follow the rules sometimes.
There are lessons for the first two books as well. For Yaya the Double-Decker Bus, it's about a bus that tries to be arrogant and do things that he cannot do,
and he must learn not to be so yaya. As for Chop-Chop the Trishaw, he's trying to emulate others, to do things that he's not capable of doing, and must learn to be comfortable with his own limitations.
Why should parents get your books?
First of all, they are very well-made. Readers can look forward to the colourful designs and lovely illustrations—very captivating. Plus, they are indestructible. Kids tend to be quite destructive, but these books will last and endure, and they are very enjoyable.
I've got very good feedback from kids and their parents. They love to hug them to sleep, some even take them to the shower. Kids need to learn about restrictions and boundaries, at the same time, they learn to have confidence and I believe that after reading these books, it will boost their morale, because they will learn new words. They will also give them some pleasure, as they realise that they can read quite easily.
What are your hopes for this book?
Of course, I hope that parents will pick up these books. I hope they will fly off the shelves, and that they will go regional, maybe even international. But most of all, I hope that kids will love the books.