2021年8月——新上架

　　被稱為「新加坡幾米」的知名繪本作家阿果的夢幻作品——一個關於尋找的故事，一本老少咸宜的繪本。

　　尋找是一個過程，必須走出去。故事里，主人翁為了尋找不孤獨，走進山裡，他因此找到好多東西。這些或許不能說是東西，渺小、永恆、自由、緩慢、信任、平靜，還有山的歌聲、水的圓舞曲，它們是一些感悟、一些心情、一些對自己人生境況的瞭解。雖然抽象，當你覺悟到人的渺小和天地之永恆，就能更仔細地觀看周圍的萬物；當你呼吸著緩慢和平靜，才能把匆忙的腳步放慢，恢復生命應有的節奏。

　　處於大自然美景之中，它給予我們的，不只是一個嗟嘆、一個感慨，如果你願意給自己多一些時間，願意往內心去尋找，或許會感覺到自己與世界多了一些默契，也感覺到和自己的內心世界更親近一點。 

　　借著這尋找，作者把讀者帶入繽紛的田園世界。仔細看這一幅幅圖畫，滿樹金黃，一地落葉，那是什麼季節？可以代表憂鬱，也可以代表豐收後的歇息，不管是何者，是時候重新出發了；在鄉間的巴士站等待，不知下一趟車子何時會來，不如走入山裡，立刻去發現新的風景。

　　通過作者的畫筆，我們遇見了參天大樹、彩色的池塘、蔚藍天空的白雲、蒲公英的世界、飄雨的山巒、綠油油的田野、漫天彩霞，月色籠罩的小鎮……如果你願意花一點時間，在這一幅幅畫里停留，讓想像飛翔，時間或許只是像故事主角抱著的那個沙漏那樣只完成短短的一週期，可是你的心境，卻隨著畫面顏色的改變，經歷從早到晚一天的起伏。對，顏色可以是心情，也像是我們的生活歷程，青紅藍綠，每個階段都有各自的美麗。

　　《尋找》是作者在韓國原州土地文化館居住期間完成的作品。書里的插畫靈感都源自土地文化館周遭的風物。

　　《快樂的藍色口罩》是一本鼓舞人心的繪本，希望我們努力對抗疫情，戴上快樂的藍色口罩時，仍能綻放微笑。故事講述歡歡和樂樂一起參加全國海報比賽，當歡歡看到街上和商店裡的人們戴著口罩卻不快樂時，她和樂樂討論出「快樂」海報設計的構想——在海報上畫著展露笑容的藍色口罩。當國防部長訪校時，看到了歡歡和樂樂設計的海報，於是決定在口罩上印上笑臉，鼓勵大家也唱起歡樂的洗手歌。

　　最後，歡歡和樂樂設計的海報榮獲全國海報比賽第一名，全班同學都為他們慶賀。他們設計的「快樂的藍色口罩」海報，告訴我們：懷抱信心，努力抗疫。希望一張張「笑臉」口罩，可以帶走病毒，讓大家重拾歡笑！

　　作為在「語文前線」奮鬥的華文老師

　　穆軍老師是這一片茂盛花圃的園丁

　　她用一雙善於觀察的慧眼

　　用一支飽蘸勤奮之墨之筆

　　用對華文教學的摯愛

　　用對莘莘學子的深情與無私

　　捕捉師生間稍縱即逝的瞬間

　　將這些點點滴滴記錄下來

　　寫就這本趣味故事，惠及你我

　　本書涵蓋大大小小25個篇幅，使學習和故事相結合，集知識和趣味於一體。

　　全書內容聚焦於華文華語教學的專業知識和技巧上面。作者筆下所寫均為教學過程中碰到的專業問題。每一個故事都切實具體地反映新加坡的某一種語言現象，無不取之於學校華文教學前沿的「源頭活水」。這一串串的故事都通過作者輕鬆有趣的筆觸展示出來，讓讀者讀來不覺煩悶，反而甚覺有趣。 

　　這本書的作者穆軍老師，來自於華文教學的第一線，具有超過三十多年的教學經驗，對發生在教學過程中鮮活的例子隨手拈來，毫不費力。

　　其繁復多彩的內容，會引領讀者來到一個華文學習的花圃，裡面栽種著語言幼苗之盎然稚氣，趣味鮮花之奼紫嫣紅，語法規範之刪繁就簡。讀之，定會讓讀者如入勝境，欣喜不已。在品味故事，為之捧腹之余，也許會心一笑，也許若有所思，也許頗有斬獲。

陳亞鳳博士序言摘錄：

　　「穆軍是個用心、善於洞察的老師……她能夠有針對性地糾錯，讓學生知其然也知其所以然。

　　字裡行間，能感受到穆軍對學生的期待和愛護是兩者並存，平衡取向的。」

作者簡介

　　穆軍，1987年畢業於陝西師範大學中文系。2006年獲南洋理工大學國立教育學院教育學碩士學位。

　　從事過電視台新聞記者、編輯、大學教師、大學學報編輯，大學校長辦公室秘書等職業，現為本地中學華文教師。新加坡作家協會理事，教育部推廣華文學習委員會閱讀與寫作組委派駐校作家。

　　寫作上擅長創作散文、微型小說和詩歌，作品散見於各報刊。2004年由中國西安旅遊出版社出版散文集《走近獅城》，2012年玲子傳媒出版散文集《生命中的溫差》，2016年由水木作坊出版散文集《愛的禮物》，由赤道風出版社出版詩集《秀色詩篇》，2020年由水木作坊出版小說集《風信子見證》。

　　《放逐與追逐》以主角福良的成長為主線，以他的成長歷程帶出他身邊每一個人物或自我放逐或被社會環境放逐的故事，以及他們莊嚴可敬的追求。小說中的人物有不同的成長背景，當中有華校生（福良、小願、弟仔），有英校生（Eileen、Alan、Steven）、有印尼華僑（秋雲）、有流落新加坡的滿清皇族（傅渟）、有中國南來的移民（福良的父母、小願的父母），但不論是什麼背景，他們都不能幸免地或自我放逐，或被社會環境放逐；在放逐中，他們卻又努力不懈地追求各自的理想。

 　　《會說話的肥貓》融合本土、寫實、懷舊與奇幻的風格，講述小女孩小梅和一隻會報恩的肥貓的生活故事。

　　故事從小梅的媽媽進醫院後開始。由於醫藥費昂貴，小梅和爸爸就從公寓搬進舊三房式組屋。

　　自從媽媽生病後，小梅突然發現爸爸很偉大，除了要照顧她，也得努力賺錢養家。為了減輕爸爸的負擔，小梅學會了照顧自己。

　　有一天，小梅救了一隻小貓，愛吃的它越吃越胖，甚至變得比她爸爸還要高，所以小梅為它取個外號，叫作「肥貓」。為了不要嚇到小梅的爸爸，當爸爸在家時，肥貓就化身為一張大地毯。

　　肥貓帶給小梅很多歡樂，也把她帶入時光隧道里，讓她回到父母從戀愛到結婚的時光，體驗上一代的美好回憶，也讓小梅看到老一輩很懷念的新加坡舊景物。

　　後來，小梅的媽媽出院了。一家團圓之後，小梅重新展開笑臉，肥貓又變回可愛的小貓，成為小梅家的一分子。

　　《水滸傳》這部小說圍繞「官逼民反」的線索展開，講述明朝末年農民起義的故事，每個情節又相對保持獨立，一環扣一環，生動曲折。小說的語言明快、簡練、口語化，富有個性和表現力。

　　本書在忠於原著的前提下，將80余萬字的原著改編成適合青少年閱讀的版本，保留了原著的框架和最富表現力的情節。此外，全書附有畫家精心繪制的人物畫像和情景插圖，加強了視覺效果，讓讀者更容易投入和欣賞。 

本書特點：

• 以淺白易懂的文字改寫名著，同時保留了原著的精華。
• 故事篇幅不大，敘述與對白並重，並加上精美插圖，更容易吸引孩子閱讀。
• 每一章節之後附上簡短概述和兩個問題，讓孩子易於理解，也鼓勵他們讀後思考。
• 書後附上「速讀原著120回」，介紹原著的內容概要，瞭解原著各章回的重點內容。讀了速讀版本後，即使還沒讀原著，也能瞭解原著各章回的重點。

 　　唐僧取經原是真實的歷史事件，並帶有傳奇色彩。《西遊記》以唐僧取經的故事為線索，以神猴孫悟空為主角，整部小說充滿了敢闖敢拼的大無畏精神和俠膽義腸。書中，不管是七十二般變化的孫悟空、懶惰貪吃的豬八戒，還是各顯神通的神仙妖魔，在孩子眼裡都是如此親切、活靈活現。因此，它極大地激發併發展了孩子的想象力。

　　本書精選原著中最生動的故事，在忠於原著的基礎上加以改寫，同時適當保留一些精彩的原著語言和人物對話，更好地體現出原著的風格。此外，全書附有畫家精心繪制的人物畫像和情景插圖，加強了視覺效果，讓孩子更容易投入和欣賞。

本書特點：

• 以淺白易懂的文字改寫名著，同時保留了原著的精華。
• 故事篇幅不大，敘述與對白並重，並加上精美插圖，更容易吸引孩子閱讀。
• 每一章節之後附上簡短概述和兩個問題，讓孩子易於理解，也鼓勵他們讀後思考。
• 書後附上「速讀原著100回」，介紹原著的內容概要，瞭解原著各章回的重點內容。讀了速讀版本後，即使還沒讀原著，也能瞭解原著各章回的重點。

　　《三國演義》講的是東漢末年和魏、蜀、吳三國的歷史故事，以蜀漢興亡為主線，描繪了三國時期各勢力集團之間的軍事、政治、外交鬥爭。《三國演義》塑造了一系列鮮明生動的人物形象。如：智謀驚人的諸葛亮、義氣深重的關羽、爽直粗豪的張飛、仁義愛民的劉備、奸詐陰險的曹操、老謀深算的司馬懿⋯⋯這些人物都栩栩如生，讓人難以忘懷。

　　本書保留了《三國演義》的主幹情節和精彩篇章，語言淺顯、易懂，非常適合青少年讀者閱讀。此外，全書附有畫家精心繪制的人物畫像和情景插圖，加強了視覺效果，讓讀者更容易投入和欣賞。

本書特點：

• 以淺白易懂的文字改寫名著，同時保留了原著的精華。
• 故事篇幅不大，敘述與對白並重，並加上精美插圖，更容易吸引孩子閱讀。
• 每一章節之後附上簡短概述和兩個問題，讓孩子易於理解，也鼓勵他們讀後思考。
• 書後附上「速讀原著120回」，介紹原著的內容概要，瞭解原著各章回的重點內容。讀了速讀版本後，即使還沒讀原著，也能瞭解原著各章回的重點。

Filled with evocative archival photographs and vivid snapshots of the modern city, Singapore Trails: Singapore River Walk & Jubilee Walk uncovers the island’s rich past and vibrant present via two specially curated walking trails.

This handy guidebook brings together two trails in the heart of the city: the Singapore River Walk, which traces Singapore’s path from a bustling 19th-century port to a modern city, and the Jubilee Walk, created to mark key milestones in Singapore’s nation-building as it celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence in 2015.

These storied paths take readers on a journey not simply through Singapore’s civic district, but through her rich and multifaceted past.

With this guide in hand, tourists, foreign residents, and locals alike will enjoy finding out more about Singapore on foot.

Every time we use a Singapore bank note, we see his face – the face of Yusof Ishak, the first President of Singapore.

But did you know that he had to overcome challenges in his life and was also a champion in sports such as weightlifting and boxing?

And not many people know that when he got married, in 1949, he and his wife lived in a kampung house with no electricity – the couple used kerosene lamps for light.

This book, which is targeted at upper primary and lower secondary pupils, will make this icon of Singapore come alive. It is suitable for anyone who wants an overview of the life and background of the first President of Singapore.

Readers will also enjoy the many photographs of Yusof Ishak, at formal occasions and in less formal moments.

C.V. Devan Nair, the son of a rubber plantation clerk, rose from humble beginnings to become an outstanding union leader, a Member of Parliament, and eventually President of Singapore.

This book, which is targeted at upper primary and lower secondary pupils, describes Nair’s childhood and his years growing up in an anti-colonial household.

It also describes in detail how, during the tumultuous post-war years, Nair came to the attention of the British authorities, who were cracking down on anti-colonial activities, and ended up spending a total of about five years in detention.

It gives an excellent overview of the exciting early years of Nair’s life in the 1950s and 60s as a teacher, a unionist and an MP, and highlights his dedication and contributions to the NTUC.

He was a well-known doctor and professor, and was one of the leading names in obstetrics and gynaecology in Singapore for decades.

And when he was 63 years old, he was asked to be the second President of Singapore, after the first President Yusof Ishak died in 1970.

What was Benjamin Sheares like as a President? Did he continue practising as a doctor after he became President? And who described him as “a perfect gentleman?”

The answers to these questions and more can be found in this easy-to-read book, which is targeted at upper primary and lower secondary pupils.

It has many photographs of Benjamin Sheares and readers will enjoy seeing him in his early years, when he was a professor, and also in more relaxed, unguarded moments.

In this updated book, viewed by many as a definitive guide to Singapore-style diplomacy, former minister, diplomat and law dean S Jayakumar outlines the principles and norms that form the bedrock of Singapore’s foreign policy, shaped by more than five decades of hard-earned experience of ministers and officials. Professor Jayakumar, who retired from politics as Senior Minister in 2011, illustrates these with his accounts of and reflections on milestones where he had been involved as either Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs or, much earlier, as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN).

This second edition includes an overview and chapter updates of the tumultuous trends and developments in the 2010s that have made a significant impact on geopolitics and diplomacy, especially for small states such as Singapore.

The book documents how Singapore has been able to create diplomatic and economic space for itself through proactive and creative diplomacy, for instance, by initiating key international forums, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum and Asia-Europe Meeting, and by pursuing free trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, both inked in 2018. Singapore has remained relevant to the international community by hosting international summits, such as the Trump-Kim Summit in 2018 and the Xi-Ma Summit in 2015, and by leading UN efforts such as the Singapore Convention on Mediation, opened for signature in Singapore in 2019.

Professor Jayakumar recounts how Singapore has responded to moves by other countries that are inimical to its national interests and put it under intense pressure, without losing its credibility. These include three difficult cases between 1994 and 1995 — the hanging of Dutch national Johannes Van Damme, that of Filipino maid Flor Contemplacion, and the caning of American Michael Fay — and the impounding of Singapore’s Terrex infantry carrier vehicles in transit in Hong Kong in 2016.

Professor Jayakumar also discusses how Singapore has resolved disputes with other countries in an amicable manner through third-party settlement, in compliance with international law and international agreements, which has become an important feature of Singapore’s foreign policy. These include the land reclamation case with Malaysia and the case where the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty over Pedra Branca to Singapore.

COMMENDATIONS

“The honest , meaty narratives offer insights into strategic goals and diplomatic means of one of the world’s most skillful foreign ministries.”
Review from Foreign Affairs

“S Jayakumar’s reflections explain how Singapore manages to “punch above its weight” on the international stage. In doing so, it offers valuable insights for historians, political scientists and leaders from around the world.
Kofi A Annan, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, 1997–2006

Singapore has evolved from a developing country to a developed one, in only a few short decades. Its gross domestic product per capita has soared from just US$517 (S$697) in 1965, to US$64,582 (S$87,128) in 2018.

Impressed, visiting university students from Mexico and the United States, in early 2019, asked the city state’s Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh for its secret of success.

His reply: there was not a single secret but many, which he would consider curating a new book on.

The result: Fifty Secrets of Singapore’s Success.

The collection of 50 essays, written by leaders and experts in their fields, sheds light on how the small state has scored significant success in not only economics but also eight other areas.

Among other things, Singapore is one of the world’s least corrupt countries, has one of the highest home ownership rates worldwide — of more than 90 per cent — and has world-class schools, healthcare and environments.

Singapore has also been a good global citizen. It has played a significant role in the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). At the United Nations (UN), Singapore has played a leadership role in the negotiations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (also known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation) and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

Many of the contributors are well-known names. They include Economic Development Board’s former executive chairman, Philip Yeo; Changi Airport Group’s and Surbana Jurong’s chairman, Liew Mun Leong; Singapore Airlines’ chief executive officer, Goh Choon Phong; National Wages Council’s founding chairman, Lim Chong Yah; National Trades Union Congress president and former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Mary Liew; Housing & Development Board’s chief executive officer, Cheong Koon Hean; Singapore Management University’s president, Lily Kong; the National Institute of Education’s former director, Leo Tan; Public Service Commission’s and The Esplanade Co’s chairman, Lee Tzu Yang; Singapore’s first and longest-serving Chief of Defence Force, Winston Choo; former Singapore Police Commissioner and INTERPOL president Khoo Boon Hui; National Parks Board’s and Gardens by the Bay’s founding chief executive officer, Kiat W Tan; former ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong; veteran diplomat Chan Heng Chee; former NMP and the Association of Women for Action and Research’s former president, Kanwaljit Soin; and World Toilet Organization’s founder, Jack Sim.

Veteran journalists of The Straits Times — Vikram Khanna, Christopher Tan and Sandra Davie — have also contributed essays to the book.