Yanting Gueh's Blog, page 10

Oliver's Hunger Dragon

Oliver has a secret he does not want to share.
He has a hungry dragon who follows him everywhere.

Oliver has never really seen it, but it is always there
Rumbling and grumbling, and making people stare.


When I'm hungry, really hungry, it's a toad that croaks in my stomach. For Oliver, it's not a toad.It's a big, persistent dragon.

One that growls everyday. One that growls just when Oliver needs to be quiet at the library or the church. One that isn't easily appeased. (Apples just don't cut...

Trouble in Teutonia

A middle-grade mystery-adventure that sets the heart racing. (Aged 9 & up)

"He was floating, then falling, then turning, all in a confusion of sights, sounds and smells. Here was a shiny brass engine, which disintegrated into a thousand flickering candles as soon as his eyes lit upon it. Here, a painted horse's mouth, which opened and whinnied, metamorphosing into the gaping jaws of a hungry wolf ... He fell and turned, accompanied by the distant murmuring of well-spoken young men somewh...

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo!

"Here your trip begins,
at the depot, on the platform.


The people here, the passengers,
have packed and shipped and sold their things,
all their things, everything.


They have their tickets for a trip of a week,
through days and nights,
across the wide country,
down to the sea.


Look for the train
that will take you,
the first train of the trip.


Listen for the engine,
for the mighty locomotive."



It is the summer of 1869. The first, newly-built American railroad awaits the locomotives, which set off fr...

It Will Be Brilliant

It's good to be back from my work-vacation! The paintings are coming along nicely (almost halfway there) and I'm easing back into my usual writing, blogging, tutoring work.


Reading, I've never stopped.


Before I go on with picture and quote inspirations this week, here's some brighter news on the library books controversy I mentioned in the last post: The National Library Board has decided to take two titles back in and place them under another category. In future there will be an advisory panel...

To Love to Grow

I write children's books and I love my local library. Recently, Singapore's National Library Board made a disappointing decision to withdraw and pulp three children's picture books that feature non-conventional families.


I still love my library. I am also still much disappointed with the board's decision.


I know ~ changes take time, especially changes or shifts of mindsets in a growing yet fundamentally traditional culture. I'm also glad to know ~ a change IS taking place, what with write...

Finding Magic IN Words

Click on the cover to go to the book's Amazon page!

Good day, all ~


I'm happy to be celebrating a fellow-author's picture book release and hosting a giveaway this week.The author of Kailee Finds Magic INWords , Allyn Stotz, is a friend from Children's Writers Retreat (of the Institute of Children's Literature) and her second picture book has recently been released. Congratulations, Allyn!


Here's what Kailee Finds Magic IN Words (as I'm sure we all do ... ) is about:


Kailee does...

My Thriving TBR Pile

I've been very lucky lately. Won a few books from giveaways and found more to add on my To-Be-Read pile. So many books, yet such a slow reading pace ... I envy those who can read fast. I savour details and quips a tad too long. Goodness, I took 6 months, on and off, to finish Lonesome Dove ! It was a heck of a novel. (And to be perfectly honest, I was stalling towards the end because I couldn't bear to say goodbye to the characters. Savouring too much, too long, right?)


And now, because I haven...

A Girl, A Wave & Two Kitties

A perfect picture book for the very young ones this summer!

A playful little girl.


A wave.


That's all.


That's what this wordless picture book is about. Okay, maybe add in a few sea gulls and a mother watching by. But seriously, that is all.


And they, Girl and Wave, make up a joyful summer read about children's friendship with Nature. It's cheeky at times. It may start off with a teasing 'I-dare-you.' It splashes and clashes and leaves surprising finds. In the end, it's also about being toget...

Picture & Quote Inspirations

Just so you know, my blog has adopted this rhythm of a picture book review, then a middle-grade novel review, and a post on pictures and quotes (unless there's an occasional announcement post). This week, we're back on pictures and quotes!



Have a happy day, Lovelies, and take a minute to enjoy these ~


Courtesy of Creative Commons(credits at the footer)and Pinterest(linked to respective pages).




Connect with Claudine here, there a...

The Crow-Girl

An ALA Notable Children's Book; A Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book; A Booklist Editors' Choice; A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year



"The second rule says that the door to a person's heart can only be opened from within.
If there issomeone who will not let you in, it's no use hammering and kicking
and lamenting and complaining. For what if the door is ajar, and you push it shut?
With some people it can never be opened again."




We never get to find out her real name.


The girl - she l...