Exploring Southeast Asia with Chuah Thean Teng
Publisher,Penguin Random House SEA
Publication Date,
Format, Paperback
Weight,
No. of Pages, 32
EXPLORING SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH… is a series of narrative non-fiction picture books for young readers between the ages of seven and twelve. Each book will focus on one national artist, taking readers through the country’s history, the artist’ place within its history, and how art is a reflection of our times. Each book contains critical thinking questions comprising visual thinking strategies (VTS), an enquiry-based method to encourage children to think about the content and formal structure of the artworks.
The series encourages young children to read about artists who had made an impact on the art scene in Southeast Asia.
The main character in this story is CHUA THEAN TENG, a Malaysian batik painter. This story takes the reader through the artist’s colourful life from Fujian, China, where his mother made shoes for women with bound feet, to Penang, Malaysia, where Chua opened a batik factory following WWII. His artworks were featured in UNESCO’s greeting cards in 1989. Chuah is widely regarded as the father of batik painting. Through Chuah’s paintings, readers will learn about the the importance of batik in the Malay world as well as the techniques of batik and batik painting. Readers will also get a glimpse of a Malaysian kampung and a Malaysian way of life.
About the Author
Quek Hong Shin is a Singaporean freelance author and illustrator whose works include picture books like The Amazing Sarong, The Brilliant Oil Lamp and Universe of Feelings. The Incredible Basket, was the winner of Best Children’s Book at the 2019 Singapore Book Awards. He is also the illustrator for other children’s titles like The One and Only Inuka and the Ahoy, Navy! series that was published in celebration of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s 50th Anniversary in 2017.
Eva Wong Nava is an award-winning children’s book author. She writes picture books to entertain, engage, and enthral young readers. She is also an art historian. When not writing for children, she meanders art museums and galleries waiting for the next piece of art work to speak to her and inspire another story. She weaves stories from art at CarpeArte Journal. When not writing, Eva teaches the art of picture book creation through her workshops under the brand, Picture Book Matters.
Jeffrey Say is an art historian specialising in Singapore and Southeast Asian art history. Jeffrey has been instrumental in the development of art history studies at LASALLE College of the Arts, supporting artists to develop a contextual and historical understanding of the evolution of visual arts. In 2009, he designed the world’s first Master’s programme focussing on Asian modern and contemporary art histories. Jeffrey is a public advocate of the importance of art history to Singapore.
