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Picking up the hard copy of this book wasn’t on the cards for me, especially due to the purchasing power of Malaysians, but the subject matter of the book compelled me to get it, especially because someone close to me suffered something similar to the “grandpa” in this work of fiction.  Well, I’m glad I did – the writing is so powerful, it transports the reader to another world. Besides sounding like a homage to nature and folklore stories, this book also reads like a nod to authors like Enid Blyton and even on-screen characters – both animated and non-animated.

Oh, did I tell you how I really liked the illustrations in the book? Maybe that’s why the book qualifies as a children’s book – even though it puts the spotlight on aged care. Besides, some of the illustrations made me think back to the Tim Burton exhibition at Pavilion Bukit Jalil where Burton had quirky illustrations, in particular the girl with many eyes (which caught my eye and the eye of other exhibition attendees).

You would have read about the elderly and advocacy work through other means or media, but interestingly, the two forewords put forward by two people from different organisations will likely change your perspective of elderly care, especially because many outlets tend to write about the elderly in a way that requires more connection, clarity and simplicity.

So, even if it’s a children’s book, be well-prepared for how the story is told. Or if you’re looking to re-read it, it can highly likely be because you like Daryl Kho’s work so much. Loyal followers of Kho’s work will surely be in the know that there’ll be an upcoming screen adaptation, other than the fact that, as per 2023, Kho’s original work will have its accompanying translations for different markets and readership, including Vietnamese, Korean, and Indonesian.

Still only at the early stages of the book, I’m only putting it down because I’m healthily distracted by his wisdom, resharing(s) and jokes posted on his professional Instagram page.

I can hardly wait for the screen adaptation. Who’s up for it?