What our readers say
I learnt about the cool lost island called Pulau Saigon and that some say it is because goods from Saigon were stopped here. I also learnt about a dish called Bak Kut teh which was basically herbs boiled with bones to make bone soup. I didn’t know that the Singapore River used to be very dirty. I also didn’t know that you could swim in the Singapore River back then. This book showed me that many immigrants have passed through the Singapore River and that it holds a lot of stories and legends. I enjoyed learning about the Singapore River's past which is very interesting.
Renee Lai (9)
What to expect from this book!
Beautiful illustrations
Captivating storyline
Historic knowledge
Infamous river stench
Tina and Alan have woven a magical tale of the Singapore River, Past and Present. This book is such a joy to read!”
Isaac (11) and Nathan (8) Quah
Tina Sim and Alan Bay have produced another well-researched and pageturning graphic novel about the Singapore River of yesteryear. In today’s dizzying world you cannot stop time, and nothing stays the same. But this new book captures and vividly reimagines the essence of this landscape and the people who inhabited it. As we delve into it we get to bask in the tumult of sights, sounds and smells of the Singapore River — a special place suffused with life, creativity and colour.”
Aaron Lee, Writer-poet and co-founder of the Laniakea Culture Collective
“Another delightful and humorous adventure of grandpa and grandson in recovering the secrets of the Singapore River. I used to bring friends up to the Westin Stamford to show them the importance of the Singapore River — it was the lifeline of Singapore. Now this book will do.”
CT Lim, Educator and writer of history and popular culture
“The dynamic duo Tina Sim and Alan Bay know the hearts and eyes of children, and the children in all of us. Their take on history now brings the Singapore River to life – and it has never coursed with greater optimism and joy! Here is happiness modestly educating, one boat ride of a book.”
Gwee Li Sui, Poet, graphic artist and literary critic
I loved how 700 years of history is captured in digestible forms for the little ones in Time Travel, Singapore! Our Singapore River. The book is beautifully illustrated and the visuals provide space for young readers to simply soak it in. There were facts I learnt about Singapore-made bumboats and the differences between the green and red eyes painted on them. Stories of Badang and the Orang Laut as well as accounts by boatmen painted a vivid picture of the past.
Even though I have traversed Singapore River so many times, I never knew the details of the trading activities, how the bumboats were steered, how Boat Quay was once known as the “Belly of the Carp”, why there were pythons in godowns and other lesser known tales, all found within Time Travel, Singapore! Our Singapore River. I’m glad this book will educate and enrich the younger generations using well-researched facts and stories of people, places, food, culture and transport.
Ee Jia Tan, Little Day Out's Review: A Window To the Magic of the River (23 Feb 2023)