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Relish memory of the past / an older Singapore that is disappearing.

The swamp provides a contrast to the modern, developed image of Singapore.

I think Ovidia Yu likely wants children reading her book to know and remember about Singapore for several reasons:

Ensure that younger generations are aware of Singapore's history.

Cultivate an appreciation for Singapore's diverse environments.

Inspire children to experience these places (Nostalgia)

Maintaining a link to the country's history and slower-paced past.

See beyond the "modern city with skyscrapers" and understand the complexity and diversity of their country.

The landscapes symbolise the changes Singapore has undergone, while also representing the continuity of certain aspects of Singaporean life.

Odivia Yu's attachment to these landscapes shapes her identity as a Singaporean writer who values the country's heritage, appreciates its unique characteristics, and seeks to preserve and share these elements through her work.

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2a) In a gleaming metropolis like Singapore where the children today grew up in, they may not realise there are pockets of old Singapore, albeit a few, still around today.

2b) Not really, but when I visited such a kelong in Penang, I was actually curious about the people's way of life in kelongs.

3) For someone who grew in 1960s Singapore, it is for the children today to know what life then was like.

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It evokes nostalgia, a longing for simpler (perhaps happier?) times, good memories of childhood.

I live in this area! While making new memories, I sometimes reminisce about the times I spent here as a child, teenager, young adult and marvel at the similarities and differences that the passing of time has brought about!

I think Ovidia Yu wants the younger generation to know that Singapore isn't always how they know it to be - fast paced, crowded, concrete jungle. If we want to and "know where to look", we can always return to "that Singapore", if not physically then in our states of mind.

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1. This landscape possibly evokes memories of the old Singapore, where people live in kampungs.

2. Resonates with me based on the stories that my grandparents or parents used to share with me of the past when they were living in villages. (how life was like - simple things that we take for granted, like going from place to place as roads were not as developed as they are now)

3. She wants children to remember what Singapore looked like in the past due to the everchanging landscape in Singapore. That there is value in remembering our history.

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1. Nostalgia and longing for the past

2. While I may not have personal experiences tied to this setting, the image evokes a sense of nostalgia, simplicity, and connection to nature. It reminds me of stories I've heard about life in Singapore’s past. I believe such an image would not resonate with most of our students too.

3. She wants to relive her own memories of the time when she first arrived in Singapore. She also wants the younger generation to visualise life in early Singapore.

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DALL·E 2025-02-12 15.28.03 - A nostalgic wooden house near a mangrove swamp in 1980s-1990s Singapore, elevated on short wooden pillars. The house has a simple yet charming design 

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2. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, Singapore of old--rustic Singapore, surrounded by mangroves. It doesn't quite resonate with me, perhaps more so from reading about Singapore in the 60s in the Social Studies books or watching documentaries?

3. Ovidia probably wants children to have a conversation with their (grand)parents about what life was like in the olden days.

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pockets of spaces where children could play games

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1. nostalgia, throwback to the olden days, games look somewhat familiar to more recent versions

2. not really, especially because I’m used to seeing coloured photographs and perhaps the closest game I could think of that I’ve experienced would be hopscotch

3. our students are increasingly from more varied backgrounds and heritage. she wants them to be exposed to the history of Singapore and some of the lifestyle practices. perhaps this could kickstart conversations among students on where they have come from too.

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Mangroves thrive in hot, muddy, salty conditions with roots submerged in water. This symbolises that mangroves are resilient and adaptable. There were family visits to mangrove areas like Sungei Buloh in the past making such places part of shared experiences and learning about local biodiversity. I think Ovidia wants the children to know about Singapore’s rich natural environment which might be overlooked in a fast-developing city.

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1) Picture evokes of Singapore in the olden days.

2) I have never experienced Singapore during that period. Additionally, I am not a nature loving person. So this description is very distant for me.

3) She wants children to also know what Singapore looked like in the past.

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This landscape evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting the reader to a simpler, more traditional way of life. The imagery of wooden buildings, awnings providing shade, and small boats with nets and clothes drying suggests a community that is very much one with the natural environment.

The scene reminded me of childhood visits to coastal villages like Pulau Ubin, and of elders sharing with me about how Singapore was like in the past - stories of old fishing towns, or stories of generations past, where life moved at a slower pace.

I think Ovidia wanted to encourage children to remember Singapore’s history as a fishing village before it became a modern city. It also highlights the importance of nature especially the mangroves and the sea, which have played a vital role in Singapore’s environment and way of life.

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1) The fact that it is NOT in colour brings the reader to the past. Most photographs back then were in black and white.

2) Family outings to parks and beaches. Some were with extended family members. Such "excursions" do not happen now as everyone is just too busy. Evokes nice memories of picnic and games.

3) The children of today are cooped up at home playing online games. She wants her young readers to know that children back then were usually outdoors and playing and all.

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2.1) Old ways of life - a reflection of the conservative family

2.2) It does not resonate with me as I did not grow up in such a landscape. I am more familiar with the densely populated housing estates with many HDB flats.

2.3) Perhaps Ovidia wants the younger generations or foreigners to know about Singapore's past and how any kind of place can turn into one's home with the right "ingredients/people".

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1. The book evokes the natural environment of Singapore while growing up. Love how there are mangrove swamps, tropical flora, ciacads etc. It provides a glimpse into both the modern city and the remnants of the past.

2. It evokes a sense of nostalgia. Growing up, being at the playground was my idea of going on a day out.

3. Ovidia would like to "preserve the swamp" by balancing heritage with progress. To honour Singapore from her roots.

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1) picture evokes a time past, peace and tranqulity. Analogue.

2) does not resonate with me because i have never lived in such a place.

3) Author wants to share her childhood experiences as a person growing up in the 60s with the children today. The children today would not have experienced Singapore the way the writer had.

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Just another day - in a now gone Singapore

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1) The feeling of nostalgia, community, slowed pace of life

2) It reminds me of the stories my grandparents and parents used to share - where they'd run after school to get the best snacks, or look forward to weekends where the whole family would feast on a bowl of $1 Laksa from the corner shop; or even the simplest tea & biscuits which were seen as a treat.

3) She does not want the younger kids to forget the Singapore that once was - especially now where tech & city life has become normalised and the life to seek. There is value in our past and she brings it back through this book.

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It evokes a feeling of nostalgia, of a time when Singapore was not all skyscrapers and modern and bustling city life. Idyllic.

It doesn't really resonate with me, as I have never lived in such a place.

She doesn't want our younger generations to only think of city life as "Singapore".

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1. In a new post, find an image(s) that best fits Ovidia's description of the Singaporean landscape.

Use the Google search button to add an image/gif/video

2. Add your responses to the following questions:

[world of the book] What does this landscape evoke in the reader?

[text-to-self]
How does this image resonate (or not) with you, based on your personal experiences?

[text-to-world]
Why do you think Ovidia wants children reading the book to know/remember about this Singapore?

3. Once you are done:
Respond to others' posts

Feel free to 'Like' or comment on what the rest have posted, and share why you agree/disagree with their thoughts

4. Other suggestions for further discussion during the session as a group:

[text-to-world]
Can we reconcile these representations of Singapore (in the book, our perceptions and real life)? Why or why not? Must we reconcile these perceptions to share a cohesive image/identity of Singapore?

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For participants who may need more scaffolding, facilitators can refer to them to the following extract from "Singapore Food" (p.67)

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For participants who may need more scaffolding, facilitators can refer to them to the following extract from "Singapore Food" (p.67)

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"Coming through the path from the swamp they came to a road that led to a giant concrete square and beyond that to a pier that extended into the sea. There was a row of low wooden buildings on each side of the square, with awnings extended to shelter the walkway from the sun. Beyond this boats bobbed gently on the water or were pulled up on the sand. They were small wooden boats, some of them with nets and clothes drying on top of them."

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Description from the book:
"Coming through the path from the swamp they came to a road that led to a giant concrete square and beyond that to a pier that extended into the sea. There was a row of low wooden buildings on each side of the square, with awnings extended to shelter the walkway from the sun. Beyond this boats bobbed gently on the water or were pulled up on the sand. They were small wooden boats, some of them with nets and clothes drying on top of them." (p. 67)