Looking for a way to encourage your children to read during the holidays? Wish to prep them to become little bookworms and discover the joys of reading? Well, look no further. Entertain them with these cool book recommendations and support their reading progress!
Gift Your Kids These Books For March Holidays
1. Really Wheelie Buddies Series
“Come on, chop chop, let’s go!”
“Wow, this yaya papaya!”
“Why do it suka-suka?”
A double-decker bus, a trishaw and a cement truck. In the Really Wheelie Buddies series, these commonly found vehicles on our roads are given lives of their own. They zoom across the pages, get into scraps, but ultimately learn lessons about responsibility and kindness.
Local illustrator Han Qingping’s whimsical drawings are paired with Ng Swee San’s simple but poignant text. For children beginning to read, these books are delightfully engaging to the senses.
2. Jack Is Curious: Can I Hit Back at a Bully
The first year of school is when children start to engage more with the outside world.
Of course, most of it is fun and games. However, leaving the comfort and security of home has its challenges.
In the Jack Is Curious series, author Linda Locke explores the simple yet meaningful dilemmas that children can encounter. In Can I Hit Back at a Bully?, Jack faces a few school bullies. Having learnt Taekwondo, he initially wishes to fight back—but slowly learns another way to deal with such people.
Mums, get ready to cuddle up with your kids after a long day at school and discuss what Jack should do.
3. Emma & Ginger: Dad’s At Home
Who would have heard of the phrases “WFH” and “Zoom” this time last year?
The Covid-19 pandemic changed all that. Working from home and online schooling means that parents and kids are spending more time together than ever. While family time is precious, there are bound to be more of everything: more tears, more laughter.
The Emma and Ginger series details the adventures of a six-year old girl, Emma. In Dad’s At Home, Emma realises that her dad is now staying home much more than usual. He’s also grown out his beard and often looks tired. Together with her cat, Ginger, Emma embarks on a mission to cheer him up.
For all the Dads out there who’re now at home, consider reading this relatable story with your child for the inevitable laughs and tugs at the heart. It's certainly one of the books for March holidays your kids will love.
4. Heritage Picture Books: The Amazing Sarong
Cabin fever is running high amongst families nowadays, especially with travel being restricted. But time spent looking outside windows may be better spent looking in and around the rich heritages of Singapore during the March holidays.
The Heritage Picture Books series explores commonplace objects whose potential are often undermined. Luckily for Nora, Adi, Xiaoming, Asha and Fauzi, they discover just how useful a sarong can be. They use it as a picnic mat, a towel, a rope … and thus a whole day is spent turning a big piece of cloth into many joyful encounters in The Amazing Sarong.
Kids, count the number of ways the five protagonists used a sarong in the book. Parents, however, should take caution—your kids may start inventing new ones!
5. The Runaway Who Became President: SR Nathan’s Journey of Hope
As our sixth and longest-serving president, SR Nathan was known for his care and concern towards the less fortunate. He started the President’s Challenge and also organised personal Meet-the-People sessions.
But before he became that well-known portrait hanging in front of school halls, Sellapan Ramanthan—his full name—went through a difficult childhood. All of his older brothers died young and his father also passed away after accruing debts during the Great Depression. Nonetheless, he still managed to gain a university education and began his career as a medical social worker.
This extraordinary life of one ordinary man is explored in The Runaway Who Became President, of the Prominent Singaporeans series.
6. The Crane & The Crab
Children today may have a hazy recollection of SR Nathan, but those who want to hear the words of the man himself can read The Crane and the Crab, his retelling of a folktale about a greedy crane and a shrewd crab. With engaging illustrations by Anngee Neo, this book has several plot twists—and a timeless message for children of all ages.
7. Percy & Pam: Trouble at the Prata Shop
You can never see a polar bear running about in Singapore's sweltering climate, except in the Percy & Pam series.
Pam Tan is a young Singaporean girl who chanced upon Percy, a polar bear wandering around Ang Mo Kio. After talking to Percy and inviting him to stay at her place, they become best friends. However, one morning as they’re eating prata, they come across someone who desperately needs their help.
Filled with yummy food and rambunctious fun, Trouble at the Prata Shop is wonderfully escapist that children get lost in. Perhaps it’ll even lead to more requests to visit the Singapore Zoo during the school holiday!
Pick up any of these books for March holidays and give your child the gift of reading.
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