A Merry Singapore Christmas

It's time again, I can't believe it's been a whole year.  I've been watching the news and it's sad that people can live in peace. I have to remind myself too since I just lost my temper with someone over something small and relatively trivial.  A very wise and very good friend of mine once told me anger is brought about because of our EGOS. And what does E.G.O stand for? Eject God Out.  Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, joy, and goodwill.  Let's forget our egos this Christmas time and let's  all try to not to Eject God Out of the season or the year, because let's face it there would be no world, no us and no Christmas season without Him.

Here's a story I wrote way back when I first started writing kids' books. It became the second book I ever had published. I hope you like it. Merry Christmas everyone.

A Dragon for Christmas

Emma Nicholson's Princess Petunia's Dragon

It's that time of year, where people are hitting the shops left, right and centre in their scramble to do as much shopping as possible before the CHRISTMAS day. In other words it's an incredibly so stressful time of the year! And if you've got young ones at home, you're probably dashing about from toy store to toy store looking for their favourite doll, action figure or game. Why not get them a good book as well? The world of imagination is the best gift you can give anyone and my gift recommendation for you is Emma Nicholson's Princess Petunia's Dragon, illustrated by Charlotte Micklewright. It'll make a great gift not just for Christmas, but for any occasion. Or as I call it a 'just-so gift', a gift you buy just so you can make someone happy.

Looking at the proofs at the printers

At the moment, Princess Petunia's Dragon is entering its final stages of labour and will be delivered in about two weeks. Emma's been working on it for quite a while and I have to say that she's done an outstanding job.  I love the story-it's brilliant - and the proofs look amazing. I can't wait to see the actual book.

This weekend, Emma invited Kenneth and me over to her place to have a look at some of the proofs and for a tea of mince pies - yum! To be clear, the mince pies were yum, we didn't eat the proofs! :) 

Emma showing the proofs to Kenneth

Then I followed Emma to the printers for one last proof check before the book is put to bed.

Emma checks everything thoroughly.

Everything looks good.

Emma and Jeremy of Image Printers Pte Ltd.

Yay! Done!

So now all that's left is to wait. The book will go to print in the next couple of days and I'll let you know when it's out so you can go and order it. Congratulations, Emma. Well done!

A Singapore Christmas

The Christmas lights are up on Orchard Road, so it's that time of year again.  A Singapore Christmas was one of the first children's books . So I thought I might share it here with anyone who would like to read it.  Don't ask me why I first started writing in verse; there is no rhyme or reason. As most of you know, I now primarily write in prose. Regardless, I hope you like the story. And if you want to track Santa's Christmas progress, please click this link here. http://www.noradsanta.org

A Singapore Christmas 
By David Seow

Late one Singapore Christmas Eve,
there was a knock on the front door.
It was a secret someone, would you believe.

Without a moment’s pause,
Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di
just knew it had to be Santa Claus.

They crept quietly through the hall.
Sebbie whispered, “It’s Santa.
And I hope he’s brought presents for us all.”

Then they heard Santa say:
“Thank goodness there are no chimneys in Singapore.
All that sliding makes my bottom sore.
I much prefer to use the window, the balcony, 
or the front door.”

Now to their delight,
Santa looked just like what they thought he might.
And though he was wet, wet, wet,
he wasn’t in the slightest bit upset.

The boys asked, “Did Santa swim in a moat?

Just look, he’s completely soaked
from top of his hat to the tip of his coat."

“Santa, did you just have a bath?”
Sam asked.
This made Santa laugh and laugh.

“I have to confess,
look at me,
I’m a soggy, sorry mess.”

"Don't worry, I’ll get you some hot coca,”
said Sam,“in my favourite cup."
“And I’ll get you a towel,”
said Sebbie,“to dry you right up.”

“What can I do?” asked Di-Di-Di.
“Why you sit right here,” said Santa
and he sat Di-Di-Di on his knee.

When Santa was warm and cozy,
and his cheeks were rosy,
he told them his story.
And oh boy, it was a real dohzy!

“As I was flying all over Singapore-
Little India, Chinatown and Geylang Serai-
big storm clouds filled the starry night sky.
Lightning struck as I was right over town
and then my sleigh suddenly broke down.
I had to take a trishaw, a bus, a taxi and an MRT train
and then it began to rain and rain.”

Just then Santa looked out the window
and, there in the distance,
he saw a speeding bright red glow.

“That’s Rudolph and he’s on his way
with my replacement sleigh.
Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!"

Quickly Santa hopped to his feet,
went to his sleigh, and brought back
Sam’s, Sebbie’s and Di-Di-Di’s Christmas
presents, treats and sweets.

“Thank you,” said Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di
as Santa placed their presents
in their stockings and under the tree.

“And now I have to go, go, go,” said Santa.
Then he was off and away
with ho-ho ho
in his very fast sleigh.

It was faster than a bus, a taxi, and an MRT train.
It was faster than a race car.
It was even faster than an aeroplane.

“I’m sleepy,” Sam yawned quite suddenly.
“So are we,” agreed Sebbie and Di-Di-Di.
They were so sleepy,
they fell asleep right by the Christmas tree.

As Christmas Day was dawning,
Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di awoke a-yawning.
“Was Santa really here?” Sam wondered
“It didn’t seem like a dream,” said Sebbie.
“Let’s see what’s under the tree,” insisted Di-Di-Di.

And under the tree, were all
the presents, treats and sweets
Santa had left for them
along with a note that said:

"Thank you for looking after me.
Merry Christmas. See you next year.
Lots of love,
Santa C."