Book A Writer / Tina Sim

ABOUT

Tina Sim writes about what life used to be like in Singapore.

Her latest book “Our Singapore River” takes readers back to a day on Singapore River when it was busy, lively and noisy, smelly too. For over 150 years, the river was a vital artery of trade and the lifeblood of the nation, and Singapore as a modern nation grew from the first port. The book shows readers how the river functioned and introduces them to the boatmen and coolies who worked on it. Readers will also learn how important the river was and the reasons it became a key trading port in the region.

 Her first book “Once Upon A Singapore…Traders” looks at life on the streets of Singapore when traders like dairymen, letter writers and itinerant hawkers plied the streets, and formed an important ecosystem for the new immigrant society. Traders was nominated as Finalist for Book of the Year Award by the Singapore Book Publishers Association. It has sold over 3,000 copies and is part of the MOE and NLB’s recommended reading lists.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• 2023 – Our Singapore River (Singapore: World Scientific Publishing)

• 2018 – Once Upon A Singapore Traders (Singapore: Asiapac Books)

WORKSHOPS

Each of the three programmes on the Singapore River can be conducted as standalone sessions; or as a cumulative trio of (i) storytelling, (ii) learning journey and finally, (iii) application.

ONCE UPON THE SINGAPORE RIVER (TALK)
For: all students; min 5 pax, suitable as an assembly talk
Availability: 1 / 1.5 hours per session; single session;
Description: the Singapore River has been called a vital artery of trade and the lifeblood of the nation. Singapore as a modern nation as we know it today grew from the first port that was the Singapore River. For over 150 years, ships came from all over the world, attracted by its free port status and other advantages. Traders and immigrants came, attracted by the wealth that could be made. The river was busy, noisy and full of life. At this talk, time travel back to a day on the river in the 60s/70s via the retelling of history and stories.
Learning Outcomes: learn about the important role of the river in Singapore’s development as a nation; learn how the river functioned and meet the people who worked on the river (boatmen, coolies, traders); learn to tell your favourite story about the river.

A WALK BY THE SINGAPORE RIVER (LEARNING JOURNEY)
For: all students; 5-20 pax
Availability: 2 hours per session; single session
Description: the Singapore River has been called a vital artery of trade and the lifeblood of the nation. Singapore as a modern nation as we know it today grew from the first port that was the Singapore River. For over 150 years, ships came from all over the world, attracted by its free port status and other advantages. Traders and immigrants came, attracted by the wealth that could be made. The river was busy, noisy and full of life. On this talk, time travel back to a day on the river in the 60s/70s. Stop at various sites by the bank to learn how the various parts of the river worked. Meet the people who worked on the river, such as the boatmen who used to move the boats using only long poles and the coolies who “bounced” on the planks… and so much more about life on the river so many years ago. At the end of the walk, sit by the river to reflect, write, then share what you learnt about the river.
Learning Outcomes: to connect with the Singapore River physically and emotionally through the stories told, and as they stand there, just for that hour, re-imagine how busy, lively, noisy (even smelly too!) the river once was.

ARCHIVES TO ANECDOTES: CAN YOU “READ” THIS PICTURE?
For: all students; 5-40 pax
Availability: 2 hours per session; single session
Description: the Singapore River has been called a vital artery of trade and the lifeblood of the nation. Singapore as a modern nation as we know it today grew from the first port that was the Singapore River. For over 150 years, ships came from all over the world, attracted by its free port status and other advantages. Traders and immigrants came, attracted by the wealth that could be made. The river was busy, noisy and full of life. There are many books, images and videos about the old Singapore River available in the public domain. What stories can they tell us? Using only visual material (books, photos and videos), learn how to “read” these images in the same way you would decode a set of lines in a poem or a story. And through this visual journey, learn about the history of the Singapore river. Decode assigned visuals about the Singapore River, then see if your classmates share the same interpretations!
Learning Outcomes: students will learn how to decode visuals and through it, learn more about the Singapore River of the past.

ONCE UPON A SINGAPORE… VANISHING TRADERS
For: upper primary, secondary; min. 5 pax, suitable as an assembly talk
Availability: 1 / 1.5 hours per session; single session
Description: explore olden Singapore and meet traders who once did a roaring trade on the streets of Singapore. There were medicine men, washermen, clog makers, letter writers and so many more. Discover how hardworking, resilient, thrifty and imaginative they were! And how they provided invaluable services to their communities. The talk is based on the book “Once Upon a Singapore … Traders” which is part of NLB’s recommended reading list for schools. Learn to tell the story of your favourite trader, or imagine a day in their lives.
Learning Outcomes: the session adds to what students have learnt in their Social Studies course about early immigrant Singapore society. It offers a detailed look at how the traders practised their trade, and how they used their resilience, imagination and entrepreneurship to build a new life.