Four picture books published by the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL) have recently been selected for the "100 Must-Read Singapore Books for Children under 12" list, recommended by the National Library Board, Singapore. This selection is a recognition of the quality and impact of the SCCL publications.

Santa's Flip-Flops and Oh Dear! Santa's Reindeer Need a Break?

        The two picture books are written by Dr Cheng Wan-Ni, Dean of Early Childhood Care and Education, SCCL. While both titles are set against the universally familiar backdrop of Christmas, they are infused with uniquely Singaporean elements and values. Santa's Flip-Flops uses the humorous contrast of a tropical Christmas – Santa in shorts and flip-flops – to spark laughter and invite children to notice the fun of cultural "mismatches". Oh Dear! Santa's Reindeers Need a Break? turns the absence of a reindeer into a story that encourages empathy, cooperation, and kindness. One story is light-hearted and playful, sparking creativity and problem-solving; the other is warm and reflective, touching on social and emotional growth. Together, they demonstrate the diversity of Dr Cheng's storytelling styles and themes.

        As a long-time educator and children's literature author, Dr Cheng roots her stories in the soil of local culture, making them relatable to children's everyday experiences while opening windows to a wider world. Through her work, reading becomes not only a source of joy, but also a bridge to understanding others and appreciating the community we live in.

Singapore in 500 Years and Little Black and Little Flower

        Also selected are two graded readers: Singapore in 500 Years from "New Stars Island" Graded Picture Book Series - Grades 5, and Little Black and Little Flower from "Unboxing the Treasured Memories" Graded Picture Book Series - Grades 6. The two graded reader series are collections of award-winning entries from the 2016 and 2021 "Creativity, No Boundaries!" National Children's Story Writing Competition, featuring stories created by local students and Chinese-language enthusiasts, with illustrations contributed by local artists.

        Singapore in 500 Years tells the story of a protagonist from 500 years in the future to the present, showing readers what Singapore might look like in that era: where will HDB flats be built? What kinds of transportation will be used? With an imaginative perspective, the work invites readers to explore possible futures.

        Little Black and Little Flower follows the story of two carps living in the Kallang River, Little Black and Little Flower, who were both scooped up by a boy. The boy put Little Black back into the river but took Little Flower home. From then on their lives became different. The picture book not only depicts the beautiful Kallang River but also incorporates local ecology and environmental elements, presenting to the readers vivid, localised scenes of Singapore.