Singapore writer Adeline Foo bags first Asian Children’s Book Award

SINGAPORE — Tiny Feet, Tiny Shoes, a story by Singaporean author Adeline Foo and Filipino illustrator Beth Parrocha, took the top award at the inaugural Asian Children’s Book Award last Friday,

It was picked from a shortlist of six books which included two other local titles: Night in the Garden by artist and illustrator J. H. Low; and Grandma and Things that Stay the Same by writer Eve Aw and illustrator Tan Yunroo.

Foo, 46, said that just “being on the shortlist is an affirmation that this story has touched the hearts of enlightened judges who are unafraid to endorse a book with a taboo topic”.

Tiny Feet, Tiny Shoes explores the journey of a grandmother, Ling, and her grandson. The two embark on an adventure to find a hidden treasure. In the process, Ling, whose feet are bound, discovers the strength to free herself from the things that hold her down.

Foo, a best-selling children’s book author who is behind The Diary of Amos Lee series, revealed that the inspiration for Ling came from her own mother. Now aged 74, Foo’s mother would often talk about her own life in China, she said.

“My impulse was to trace the story of Ling, as a Grandma, relating how she has become sentimental about her past,” said Foo, adding that the story is one of home and identity.

The award was presented last Friday (May 19) by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC). The award is a joint initiative between festival organiser, the National Book Council of Singapore, and Genting Singapore.

The award is meant to honour an outstanding published picture book with distinct Asian themes by a writer, illustrator, and translator team of Asian descent, who are currently living in Asia.

Each creator received a cash award of $10,000. Another $10,000 goes to the book’s publisher, Scholastic Asia, as grant to commission and publish a translation of the book in any Asian language.

Last week, another Singapore book made the news. On May 16, the biannual 2017 Scholastic Picture Book Award went to The Little Durian Tree, by creators Ho Jia En, Sabrine Ong, Shona Menon, Wong Shu Jing, and Melodie James. The quintet is comprised of 19 to 20-year-old final-year students at Singapore Polytechnic.

The book was chosen from 136 other entries from around Asia. The Little Durian Tree was Singapore’s only entry for the award which was also presented at the AFCC, which is in its eighth year.

“It felt like we were representing Singapore, and now we feel like we’ve done our nation proud,” said Menon.

The award is presented biennially to an outstanding unpublished picture book with distinct Asian themes. The team received a $10,000 cash prize, and The Little Durian Tree will be published by Scholastic Asia as part of the award prize.