Q&A
Tell us something interesting about yourself:
I adore travelling and exploring the world - to date, I have visited 36 countries, with Russia and Morocco being two of my favorite travel adventures so far!
Current job title:
Children's Book Author.
How would you describe your identity?
A Singaporean female author of Indian origin.
Tell us your favourite medium for reading:
Always and forever a print-book reader!
Tell us your favourite location for reading:
In my cozy bed with a hot cup of tea.
Book title:
Funcles.
What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book?
This story is inspired by my son and his love for his community uncles and aunties. I grew up in Singapore where calling elders in our community “uncle” and “aunty” is very much the norm. So when my son started to speak and understand language, I instinctively started introducing all the community members he met as “uncles” and “aunties.” This cultural practice has now become second-nature to him as he gleefully greets his Museum Aunty or Bakery Uncle. And so, I wrote this story in hopes that it helps explain something many children experience (and might be confused by!), but it also helps remind us that we are all part of a greater community and we always have the power to create our own families.
Favourite character or moment from the book – and why?
One of my favorite moments is when the MC comments about having fake uncles and scribbles a giant "F" on his family tree title banner for FUNCLES. It feels like such a relateable moment of angst and frustration when something you thought was true all along turns out to be a misunderstanding! I love that this moment then serves as the turning point for his realisation that he actually has FUNcles!
What themes or messages does your book raise?
- The importance of community and found family: One of the themes I hope kids take away from this is that some family is relational, while some family is based on relationships. The people that care for us don’t have to be related to us--but help, kindness, and consideration can be extended from different members in our community.
- Appreciation for workers in our community: Many of the uncles in this story are essential workers who are part of the fabric of our society and community (eg. bus drivers, taxi drivers, F&B workers), and yet are often times unacknowledged and undervalued. I wanted to portray a sweet and special relationship between the main character and his community uncles to remind kids that all members of our community are important, valued, and should be treated with appreciation and respect. Simple gestures like talking to our community members, greeting them, saying thank you – these go a long way in making a community feel more tight-knit and unified.
- Cultural norms and diversity: FUNCLES explores the concept of a “cultural norm” (eg. calling elders “uncle” and “aunty” out of respect) and families/educators can use this book as a teaching tool to discuss the diversity of cultural norms around the world and how they differ across communities and regions. Using FUNCLES as an exploration of diversity will help kids see that different cultures navigate social interactions differently (eg. Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory around individualism vs. collectivism) and open up conversations about the different cultural norms they themselves have experienced within their own families or during travels.
How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words?
Playful, punny, heartwarming.
Favourite illustration – and why?
There is one particular illustration where the main character is surrounded by his Taxi Uncle, Fried Rice Uncle, and Barbershop Uncle after reminiscing about the special moments they share together. The illustration of all of them together is just so warm and tender, you can really feel the love and kindness in each uncle’s eyes and the adoration the main character has for his community. Looking at this illustration always fills my heart!
