Uncle Feng You is a children's picture book set in the everyday context of Singapore's HDB neighbourhoods. Written by Dr Cheng, Wan-ni, the story follows the intergenerational friendship between an elderly man, known for his feng you (medicated oil), and a young boy, capturing the warmth and cultural nuances of local life.

When uncle passes away, the child is confronted with the concept of death—confusion, loss, and gradual understanding. Through a gentle and sensitive narrative, the book introduces young readers to themes of life, separation, and remembrance. The scent of medicated oil becomes a thread that connects memory and emotion, allowing a sense of presence to continue.

Blending local language, cultural practices, and familiar settings, this book reflects the multicultural fabric of Singapore while addressing children's emotional and developmental needs. It serves as a meaningful resource for early childhood education on life and loss.

The "Singapore Kids' Picture Book Series"

The "Singapore Kids' Picture Book Series", published by the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language, is a collection of picture books written exclusively for children in Singapore. Every story in the series carries a typical Singapore cultural theme. The scenes depict the familiar local environment, and the characters possess the unique cultural traits of Singaporeans.

The picture books consist of a medley of simple narrative stories to illustrate how children can learn to handle the uncertainties they may struggle with in their social life experiences. The stories in the series, though simple, are deeply inspiring and are written by experts in the field of early childhood education.

We hope that this picture book series will become a treasured companion of Singapore children in their growing-up years.