Catagory: Non Fiction

A decade ago, Burma was full of light and hope. Today, it has descended into darkness and despair. The once promising political and opening up of the country has been set back, possibly for a long time. How did this happen?
Why? Many outside observers are surprised by the developments, but it was predictable. For those watching Burma the February 2021 coup was in the making for some time. Its seeds were planted in the constitution, which created false expectations on both the military and the civilian parties that both sides are going to emerge as long-term winners. The political leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, the determination of her supporters to gain absolute control of the country at the expense of the military, and the over-dependence on her by her party without a succession plan, were other contributing factors. The international community, including ASEAN, was blindsided by short-term business considerations.
ASEAN saw Burma’s entry into the regional grouping as a major geopolitical gain, without keeping an eye on the gathering political storm inside the country. ASEAN’s principle of non-interference led to lack a lack of concern for Burma’s domestic developments. This book will provide a timely and insightful account of the political situation in Burma, assessing why the country experienced the coup, what the implications are for the people of Burma and the Southeast Asian region, and what role the international community can play to prevent Burma becoming a failed state.

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 AFFANDI, perhaps Indonesia’s most famous painter. Affandi was born during a time in Indonesia when only traditional Javanese art was considered art. Through the study of Affandi’s work, readers will come to realise that Affandi is a painter with a unique method-he paints with his hands instead of a brush. Through his series of paintings of Borobodur, readers will also be taken through the history of Indonesia, focusing on the island of Java. They will learn about how Buddhism and Hinduism arrived in Indonesia and how that had influenced the culture of Indonesia. It will also take readers through the vibrant city of Yogyakarta, the artistic and cultural capital of Indonesia and highlight the famous royal palace there.

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.

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.

ANITA MAGSAYSAY-HO is a Filipina artist who was part of a group of artists known as the Thirteen Moderns in the Philippines. She was the only woman in the group. Magsaysay-Ho is a Social Realist painter who documented the life and culture of the Philippines in the early 20th century. Through her art, the story will take readers through the history of the Philippines and how women formed a large part of the labour force. The story invites young readers to examine the life of a female artist, the constraints as well as the liberty of being the only woman in a group of renowned male artists. NAG-IIPON NG DAYAMI (GLEANERS), painted in 1975 is one of Magsaysay-Ho’s works that will enable readers to understand the core tenets of Social Realist art.

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 LIU KANG. Readers explore a segment of Singapore’s history through Liu Kang’s seminal work, Life By The River. The story takes readers through a slice of Liu Kang’s life in Singapore before the founding of the Nanyang style, an art movement that has become embedded in the art history of Singapore. Readers will see how Liu Kang struggled to find artistic inspiration in Malaya and how a trip to Bali changed his mind and perception of home. Weaved into the story is that of Singapore seen through the lens of the artist. Children will learn about pre-independence Singapore, its landscape, and people.