Epigram

This charmingly illustrated and thought-provoking picture book introduces children to one of Arthur Yap's most beloved poems in which two mothers in a HDB playground engage in a spirited conversation in Singlish. From exchanging parenting tips to describing their wealth—these mothers have much to say!

Discover timeless Singaporean poems in our new series, Poems to Keep.

From one of Singapore’s most garlanded playwrights comes his first collection of published plays, including Autumn Tomyam, winner of Best Original Script and Play of the Year in the 2002 DBS Life! Theatre Awards. Guaranteed to challenge readers’ prejudices, Desmond Sim’s Six Plays is a bold and often hilarious exploration of sexuality, polygamy and love in all its guises.

In veteran playwright Desmond Sim’s first collection for students, food and family ground seven heartwarming plays as sons and daughters, fathers and grandmothers fight, heal and find love in the kitchen and around the dining table. This collection includes Drunken Prawns, winner of the first Hewlett Packard/Action Theatre Ten-Minute Play Contest, and other critically acclaimed plays such as Teochew Porridge and The Durian Man and His Daughters, with a foreword by Dr. K.K. Seet.

An omnibus of groundbreaking Singaporean playscripts.

Goh Poh Seng played an active role in the arts scene of post-independence Singapore. He was a pioneer of Singaporean drama, and the author of what is considered the first local English-language novel, If We Dream Too Long (1972). However, despite him winning the Cultural Medallion, his three playscripts have never been published…until now.

Three Plays—consisting of The Moon Is Less Bright (1964), When Smiles Are Done (1965) and The Elder Brother (1966)—rescues these dramatic works from obscurity, and presents them on the sixtieth anniversary of first being staged.

Sang Nila Utama saw a lion…or did he?

Come and experience the untold side of Singapore's past in this non-fiction series. The weird and wild history of our island nation is revealed in engaging stories that are sure to excite, shock and thrill readers of all ages!

In Twisted Temasek, discover obscure stories from Singapore's pre-colonial history, from Rajendra Chola I's adventure into a mermaid kingdom and Sang Nila Utama's arrival in Lion City to tales Singapore's early kings and legendary children like Hang Nadim and Radin Mas Ayu.

Six months after teen savant Maxine Schooling helped the CID capture the Singapore Spectre, she has been once again roped into a murder investigation. An unrelated grouping of people is being killed by what witnesses can only refer to as a vampire. At the same time, Max meets a former colleague of her parents, who can potentially give her clues to whoever killed her family and put her in a coma.

Since teen savant Maxine Schooling awoke from a coma to the news that her entire family had been murdered, she has lived the following year under the shadow of that unknown killer. Even as she aided criminal investigations in Singapore, and reconnected with a tight network of family and friends, she has never felt completely safe. Now the Man in the Mask has returned, and Max must rely on her courage, resourcefulness and eidetic memory to survive.

🎁 Recommended for kids 3 and up!

Enjoy the festivities around Deepavali in Singapore with a little girl and her family. From decorating the home and making murukkus to admiring peacocks and lighting sparklers—there is so much fun to be had.

A joyful story with charming illustrations that reminds us of the importance of family and family traditions.

Six modern student plays about growing up in Singapore.

This dynamic collection of plays, written by seasoned drama educators and emerging voices, offers a compelling exploration of growing up in Singapore. Devised in part with students, the plays tackle pressing issues from body image and the impact of social media to the quest for identity and belonging. With themes that resonate with young readers and offer universal reflections on youth, this collection serves as both an educational and artistic resource for teaching drama, and a valuable tool for sparking meaningful discussions on social topics in and beyond the classroom.

This book is a part of the Prominent Singaporeans series, which features individuals from Singapore's history who have contributed significantly to her growth.

How does a spoilt young boy and party-going dandy become the man who housed a nation? Discover the passion that drives Lim Kim San from his comfortable, carefree life into a mission that would change Singapore forever.

🎁Recommended for ages 3 and above

This book is a part of the Prominent Singaporeans series, which features individuals from Singapore's history who have contributed significantly to her growth.

From a trying childhood to surviving the Japanese Occupation and even falling in love, the life of Singapore’s longest-serving president, the late S.R. Nathan, turned out to be more colourful than many might imagine.

The Runaway Who Became President not only introduces us to a man who dedicated his life to the service of our nation, but also to the various people who helped him work through his own challenges and shape him as a well-loved and respected Singaporean icon.

🎁Recommended for ages 3 and above

This book is a part of the Prominent Singaporeans series, which features individuals from Singapore's history who have contributed significantly to her growth.

Where are all the birds? Why am I in this world? Where are my spectacles?

Discover the life of Dr Goh Keng Swee in this fun and unique narrative of successive questions. How did this quiet, shy and curious boy become the man who would spearhead mammoth national projects and impact the lives of all Singaporeans?

 🎁Recommended for ages 3 and above

This book is a part of the Prominent Singaporeans series, which features individuals from Singapore's history who have contributed significantly to her growth.

Lee Wen loved art, music, poetry and performance with a passion. He presented all art forms in his own unique way, even when others didn’t care for it. And boy are we glad he did!

An inspiring story of how Lee Wen became the great performance artist that he was.

🎁Recommended for ages 3 and above

This book is a part of the Prominent Singaporeans series, which features individuals from Singapore's history who have contributed significantly to her growth.

Joseph Schooling’s race to the Olympics began when he was still a boy. With the support and love of Mum and Dad, he dedicated himself to being the best swimmer he could be. From triumphant victories to devastating defeats, Joseph never gave up no matter how discouraged he got, and he finally proved that no dream is too big for a boy when he won Singapore's first Olympic Gold medal.

Former diplomat Bilahari Kausikan highlights two global trends that can shape Singapore's future—identity politics and the rise of China—and how China is using them to influence the Singapore identity.

Rational Conversations by Epigram Books is a series of essays and speeches by prominent Singaporeans on issues close to their heart. With these books, we hope to encourage discussion and provoke thought.

A critical look at Singapore’s harsh policies and the human cost of the war on drugs.

Activist Kirsten Han explores Singapore’s relentless war on drugs, shaped by fear, hardened policies and societal stigmas. Through deeply personal stories of death row prisoners, Han challenges Singapore’s punitive approach and advocates for a more compassionate, humane system that addresses the root causes of addiction.

Rational Conversations by Epigram Books is a series of essays and speeches by prominent Singaporeans on issues close to their heart. With these books, we hope to encourage discussion and provoke thought.

Former Nominated Member of Parliament Kuik Shiao-Yin shares the concerns of young voters and how a new generation of leaders can rise up to serve them.

Rational Conversations by Epigram Books is a series of essays and speeches by prominent Singaporeans on issues close to their heart. With these books, we hope to encourage discussion and provoke thought.

Activist and journalist Kirsten Han examines the relationship between government and political journalists in Singapore.

Rational Conversations by Epigram Books is a series of essays and speeches by prominent Singaporeans on issues close to their heart. With these books, we hope to encourage discussion and provoke thought.

🎁 Recommended for 6 months old and above

Chop-chop the Trishaw wants to go zoom like a sports car. Surrounded by his much faster petrol-fuelled friends, he feels like he’s being left behind and is in a hurry to catch up to his more modern counterparts. With a newly installed engine, he leaves his automobile buddies in the dust. But Chop-chop really isn’t really built for speed, and that leads to unexpected consequences. Chop-chop the Trishaw is the second book in the Really Wheelie Buddies series that introduces the little ones to Singaporean phrases through commonly seen vehicles on our roads.

🎁 Recommended for 6 months old and above

Suka-Suka has an important job: he helps to build roads, pavements and more. Just like baking, mixing cement involves combining the right ingredients in the right quantity. But Suka-Suka doesn't think instructions are necessary at all—he prefers to mix the ingredients however he likes, which leads to a path of unintended destruction! Suka-Suka realises his suka-suka ways have negative consequences not just for himself, but others too. That, perhaps, he can't just do whatever he likes all the time and should learn to be more responsible. Suka-Suka the Cement Truck is the third book in the Really Wheelie Buddies series that introduces the little ones to Singaporean phrases through commonly seen vehicles on our roads.

🎁Recommended for 6 months old and above

Yaya is a double-decker bus who thinks he’s the best. But can he do everything?

Really Wheelie Buddies is a board book series to introduce the little ones to  Singapore phrases through commonly seen vehicles on our roads.

In this first book, Yaya the double-decker bus thinks he’s the best bus in the whole of Singapore. He’s tall, handsome and fast. Surely no other bus compares! But when his friend Shorty challenges him, Yaya is in for a surprise...

A celebratory portrait of a man who has left an indelible mark on the national literary scene.

Robert Yeo is a national treasure. His poetry, plays and edited anthologies have contributed significantly to Singaporean literature over his long career, leading to his reception of the Public Service Medal in 1991 and the S.E.A. Write Award in 2011 for lifetime achievement.

To celebrate his 80th birthday, NUS professor Dr Ismail S. Talib assembled a wealth of tributes from Robert's friends, both local and abroad, such as, in Singapore, Catherine Lim, Ovidia Yu, Rajeev Patke and Suchen Christine Lim; and, internationally, A. Robert Lee, Paul Sharrad, Chetana Nagavajara and Alfred Yuson—that point to life-changing encounters with Yeo and his works.

This encomium presents the portrait of a man who has left an indelible mark on the national literary scene, and whose writing remains vital and relevant today.

🎁 Recommended for ages 3 and above

It’s a lovely Saturday morning and Aish would rather be riding her bicycle than doing maths sums in a classroom. But when Aish's doodles come to life, Saturday’s lesson doesn’t seem so boring after all.

Shortlisted for Singapore Literature Prize 2024 (Creative Nonfiction in English)

Writer, biographer and mental health advocate, Chan Li Shan, takes us on a path of discovery, while painting a vivid and searingly honest picture of a man many knew of, but few really knew. Along the way, she learns about art and friendship.

Shortlisted for the Singapore Book Awards 2016 - Best Non-Fiction Title
Shortlisted for the Popular Reader’s Choice Awards 2016 - English (Children) Books Category
2nd place for the Red Dot Book Award 2016-2017 (Older Readers)

Secrets of Singapore turns ten!

With over 20,000 copies sold, Secrets of Singapore is still a favourite among young readers. Celebrate ten years of this book with an updated edition. Join Danger Dan and Gadget Girl as they uncover Singapore’s hidden history—packed with fresh facts and cool updates. From the legends of Sang Nila Utama to modern marvels like cinemas, sport and of course, food, they leave no stone unturned.

Perfect for young readers who love interesting facts, adventure and the series!

🎁Recommended for ages 9 and above

Secrets of Singapore gets a revamp as a cast of new characters peels off the paint to discover the history and secrets at the National Gallery.

From secret passages and a hidden dome to an underground time capsule, there is definitely more to the National Gallery than meets the eye!

Secrets of Singapore: National Gallery, join Professor Brushie and Curious Canvas to discover a time when the building had a split personality! Learn about the BIG SECRET lift that carries the Gallery’s precious masterpieces. Find out why you can’t touch any of the artworks and why the windows are never open. What is a gallery sitter? Why are there black lines on the floor? Could there be ghosts lurking in the corners of the Gallery?

Time to brush up on your art facts and draw back the curtains on the National Gallery!

🎁Recommended for ages 9 and above

Nominated for the 2019 Singapore Book Awards, Best Non-Fiction Title

In Secrets of Singapore: Botanic Gardens, Danger Dan and Gadget Girl go out on a limb to uproot the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ deepest, darkest secrets.

Within the lush grounds, the superhero duo find a tree so famous that its portrait can be found in any Singaporean’s wallet, as well as an orchid older and taller than any human alive. Flying back 140 years into the past, they also discover that the Botanic Gardens used to be home to a mixed bag of critters, including a tapir who dreamed of being a rock. Not a rock star. Just a rock. #achievablegoals

There’s more! Danger Dan and Gadget Girl realise that the botanical world is more twisted than they think. As it turns out, strawberries are only pretending to be berries, tomatoes can’t decide whether they are fruits or vegetables, and sunflowers are really evil at heart.

Trek through the Singapore Botanic Gardens with Danger Dan and Gadget Girl. You will never look at your plant pals the same way again!

🎁Recommended for ages 9 and above

Shortlisted for the Red Dot Awards 2020-2021 (Younger Readers)
Second prize at the Popular Readers' Choice Awards 2019—English (Children) Books Category
The Straits Times Top 10 Bestseller List (for 14 weeks)

In Secrets of Singapore: Changi Airport, Danger Dan and Gadget Girl take to the skies!

The two superheroes find out that there’s more to Changi Airport than just planes and passengers. They reveal intriguing secrets in places like the taxiways (which have nothing to do with taxis), the runways (which have nothing to do with running) and the apron (which has nothing to do with cooking). Jewel is a real gem, though.

That’s not all!

Danger Dan and Gadget Girl also discover that video game devices are used to screen baggage, that someone once lost a pet hamster in the airport and why food tastes like cardboard in a plane (hint: it’s not because the chef’s a dud).

Join Danger Dan and Gadget Girl as they clear the air by solving all the mysteries shrouding Changi Airport!