ISBN-13: 9780099461814
Publisher: Random House UK
Publication Date: 25 January 2005
Format: Paperback, 32 pgs
Source: Library
Last weekend, my youngest daughter happily shoved a book into my hand and asked me to read it to her. She got it from her school library for her buddy reading program - a 20-minute reading program to allow the pupils to read before the school assembly. I glanced at the book cover and thought it has a lovely illustration; plus who doesn't get intrigued by that title?
How to Live Forever is not a book that tells you the secret of immortality, but a fantasy story about a boy called Peter who goes in search of a missing book (yep, you know the title) from a library where he lives. Well, to be precise, this library will come to life after it closes its doors at night and the shelves will begin to rearrange themselves and the rows of books will transform into rows of town houses and bustling with activities. That's where Peter really lives.
After searching high and low for it, Peter finally found the missing book through four old men. Peter doesn't understand why these four men aged if they have the book, surely it doesn't work, does it? But they told him it works and brings him to see the Ancient Child who will then enlighten him through his experience and why he's decided to hide the book.
How to Live Forever is a lovely picture book filled with an intriguing premise and not to mention those colourful illustrations (see below). I liked the idea of a library coming to life at night and I know how this imagination would fill the children with delight. The message behind this book is the philosophy of living life as it is and while I appreciate the meaning of it, I wasn't sure if my 7-year-old understands the message it's driving so I simply explained to her to be happy and appreciate our lives as what it is. All in all, this is a book that will charm young readers and adults alike.
ISBN-13: 9781848775879
Publisher: Templar Publishing
Published: May 2010
Source: Personal Library
I have heard a lot of great things about Shaun Tan's work, but just haven't got around to reading them yet. It was only last week when I was browsing at a bookstore that I stumbled upon this little gem. Without saying, I grabbed a copy off the shelves and I'm happy to say I have now owned one Shaun Tan book (and of course am looking forward for more to come).
Eric is a cute little story about a family hosting a foreign exchange student by the name of - yes, Eric. (Below illustration is how he looked like. Oh don't you find him adorable?)
With black and white illustrations, they capture the essence of Eric's personality and his 'cultures' during his stay with the family. Always curious and keen to learn, Eric slowly adapts to the environment around him.
What I loved most about this book is besides the wonderful illustrations, Shaun Tan has creatively weaved a story based on our everyday lives, through the eyes of little Eric. It also tells a story about the family accepting Eric despite their differences. Eric's stay with the family might seem short, but his experience has allowed me to look at things from a different angle. As for the ending, it brought a smile to my face and touched my heart. How I wish this story would be a little longer!
I feel so loved because I received not one but two awards this week! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
The Versatile Blogger Award comes from Karen at
Finding My Muse and though I'm new to Karen's blog, I'm already liking her blog and have added the link onto my Google Reader.
For this award, I must share seven things about myself and then pass it on to 15 blogs I read. I have no problems with coming up with the seven things, but passing it on to 15 blogs is hard because I have so many in mind!
Anyway, here's a list of seven things about me:
I love green tea (genmai tea too). I can have three teabags per day!
My best dish used to be prawns fried with oyster sauce, but since I've became a vegetarian, my best dishes now are soba and yasai tempura (because they are so easy to prepare, haha).
I bought many Sweet Dreams books through eBay last year (young adult romances printed during the 80s) because I just felt nostalgic for those good old days I read them.
I know many of my friends have celebrities as their idols. As for me, it's
Lu "Louis" Chen.
The farthest country I've been is New Zealand; that's where I went for my honeymoon.
I'd love to be a librarian, but that's only my wishful thinking!
I love tulips!
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