Recommended English Books

[The Alternative Story]

Hi parents,


We would like to recommend a series of books to you.
It is suitable for P3 - P5 students (as well as high ability P2s).

There are 3 books in this series:

1) Once by Morris Gleitzman

In this story, Felix, is placed in an orphanage. He does not know
why but he reasons it is because Jewish booksellers are having
a hard time. The truth is the Nazis are after the Jews and his
parents have put him in the orphanage to protect him. He thinks
that they will come back for him. However, when that does not happen,
he runs away to look for them. Along the way, he meets Zelda whom
he rescues when her parents are killed. Throughout the journey,
his optimism keeps Zelda and him going. Zelda is 6 and Felix is 10
years old.

Extract from Once:
Once I escaped from an orphanage to find Mum and Dad.
Once I saved a girl called Zelda from a burning house.
Once I made a Nazi with toothache laugh.

My name is Felix. This is my story.

2) Then by Morris Gleitzman

Felix and Zelda continue their run from the Nazis. A farmer takes
them in and dyes their hair blond so that no one would suspect
that Felix is a Jew. (Zelda's parents were Nazis but she is so horrified
by what they are doing that she denounces them at any chance she can
get). Felix has a nemesis, a bully, who suspects that he is a Jew and
so Felix and Zelda have to be on the alert all the time.

3) Now by Morris Gleitzman

The story now takes place when Felix is a grandfather. He has
emigrated to Australia. His granddaughter, Zelda, lives with him.
She is named after his childhood friend, Zelda, who was
very brave and held on to her humour despite the tragedy
happening around her. Felix's granddaughter and Felix have
to face off a dreadful bushfire that that threatens their lives.
Through this, Zelda learns how to be brave just like her
namesake, Zelda.

In all the 3 books, the horrific events (World War 2 and the
Holocaust) are told from a child's point of view and it is
funny in parts but yet sad. These books are very interesting,
and they can be used to talk about issues like genocide, bravery,
and resilience. Issues, that although seemingly 'deep', can be
taught to young children to shape their value system.

Where to get these books: Amazon.com/ We will also be
bringing these books in within the next couple of weeks.

TAS

[pixiedust]

Have you confirmed plans for your book sale ?

[The Alternative Story]

pixiedust:

Have you confirmed plans for your book sale ?

Hi pixiedust,

No not yet. We are still discussion with several potential shopping
centres to see where we can have our book sale. We might
either have it at the shopping centre or at our own centre.

TAS

[hquek]

Hi TAS,


Thanks for your many book recommendations, my DS1 loves the Andrew Lost series. Looking forward to introduce the other great reads to him in time to come.

I keep seeing posts on an upcoming booksale. How can I join your mailing list on that event? I’m sure there must be avid interest?

Thanks!

[The Alternative Story]

hquek:

Hi TAS,


Thanks for your many book recommendations, my DS1 loves the Andrew Lost series. Looking forward to introduce the other great reads to him in time to come.

I keep seeing posts on an upcoming booksale. How can I join your mailing list on that event? I'm sure there must be avid interest?

Thanks!

Hi hquek,

No problem Andrew Lost is very interesting! You can email us and
just state that you are interested to be kept updated for booksale events.

In your email, you can type in 'Interested in booksale events' under
the 'subject' and when we do have an event, we will contact you.
If you want, you can leave us your contact number as well.

We will probably be having one event coming up in November or
December.

TAS

[MLJ]

Hi TAS,


I too enjoy your book recommendations, you mentioned that the bookfair would be coming by nov or dec, would it be held at your yishun, east or bukit timah branch or all 3?

[The Alternative Story]

MLJ:

Hi TAS,


I too enjoy your book recommendations, you mentioned that the bookfair would be coming by nov or dec, would it be held at your yishun, east or bukit timah branch or all 3?

Hi MLJ,

It would probably be at Bukit Timah.

TAS

[XtremeMEE]

Hi TAS,


You are having a book sale?! Wow, I would love to go

for it! Can email me also when it comes up? Do you

have books suitable for my age now? (heehee am

getting old now)

[concern.027392mum]

Hi TAS,


Where do I get information about the books that you sell?

[BigDad]

Hi TAS,

I would like to be placed on your contact list for the book event. Do I need to email you or do you still have my previous email from the sign up for the holiday prog?