As for the children, many of them are likely back in the hectic swirl of homework and enrichment classes, hopefully with some fun and games thrown in. The latter will probably come in the form of computer games, fancy toys and gadgets, and such like.

Things were very different when some of us were growing up. When I was a child, fun at recess and after school came in the form of Zero Point (also called ‘Yeh-Yeh’), Five Stones and Chapteh. These games were simple and largely homemade, and they cost very little. But they kept entire generations of kids like me happy and sweaty. Check out Page 26 of The Little Singapore Book which shows lots of games we used to play in school in the 1970s and ’80s.

To celebrate the start of a new school year — hurray the kids are out of the house! — and these childhood games of yesteryear, we have prepared a fun colouring sheet. For some of you, it’s also a chance to share fond memories of your school days with the little ones.

The Little Singapore Book is available for sale at major bookstores in Singapore, including Books Ahoy, Books Kinokuniya, The Fullerton Shop at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Garden Shops at Botanic Gardens, Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop, Museum Shops at the National Museum and Asian Civilisation Museum, and Woods in the Books.

It is also available online at Books Kinokuniya, Closetful of Books, Epigram Bookshop, Natventure Books, Owl Readers Club and Woods in the Books.

The post Back to School appeared first on Pepperdog Press.

With gleaming golden bands slung around a jet-black body, the snake that Chloe has drawn is as striking as they come. It is aptly called the Gold-Ringed Cat Snake, and sometimes also known as the Mangrove Cat Snake although it is not just found in mangroves. The biggest of four species of cat snakes found in Singapore, it can stretch out to 2.4 metres long when fully grown.

It is mostly nocturnal, which means it sleeps by day on tree branches and only slithers down to ground to hunt at nightfall. Rats, frogs, small birds, bats and even other snakes are just some of its favourite prey.

Like many of its cousins, it is venomous but not life-threateningly so. It can be found in many parts of Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. Here in Singapore, you may spot it in the Central Nature Catchment Reserve.

Check out our colouring sheet featuring the Gold-Ringed Cat Snake that’s perfect for keeping the little ones occupied.

Tiger Tales: Almost True Stories from Old Singapore is available for sale at major bookstores in Singapore, including Books Ahoy, Books Kinokuniya, The Fullerton Shop at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Garden Shops at Botanic Gardens, Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop, Museum Shops at the National Museum and Asian Civilisation Museum, and Woods in the Books.

It is also available online at Books Kinokuniya, Closetful of Books, Epigram Bookshop, Natventure Books, Owl Readers Club and Woods in the Books.

It is also available online at Closetful of Books, Epigram Bookshop, Natventure Books and Woods in the Books.

The post All that Glistens appeared first on Pepperdog Press.