On the Receiving End Now

The four picture books I wrote are now available in MPH outlets and (hopefully) other good bookstores. In my column in Star Mag today I talk about my first (and probably not last) bad review!

On the receiving end now

With her first four books out, our critic gets a taste of her own medicine.

TOT TO TEEN BY DAPHNE LEE

WHAT better way to start a new year and the first Tots to Teens of 2007 than with the first bad review of my picture books? Hah, after pooh-poohing the hard work of others, I now get a taste of my own medicine!

Actually, it’s fine. That is, yes, I got a bad review, but it came from someone whose opinion I value and trust. The criticism was valid and I think it will help me produce better books in the future.

The critic, as regular readers might have guessed, is Kit, my friend whom I usually refer to here as the “the best children’s book merchandiser in the Klang Valley, possibly even Asia”. I found her comments interesting, especially since they were about things I’d never really considered.

Her chief complaints were about the typeface and the illustrations. Kit thinks the typeface is hard to read. It’s too thin and irregularly shaped. Children may have problems deciphering the letters. Parents may think, “My child won’t be able to read this”. Of course, I meant for parents to read these books to their pre-schoolers, but I guess I should have thought of our kiasu Malaysian dads and mums who expect their kids to read by the time they’re three!

As for the illustrations, Kit thinks the colours are too garish. She was surprised when I told her that Amir, my artist friend and collaborator on the books, had used watercolours! She says she it looks like he used magic markers! According to Kit, the tones are harsh and unfriendly to the eye and this may put some parents off. Personally, I rather liked the bright colours and I don’t think they would put a child off.

I would have liked a glowing review from Kit, but I know the books aren’t perfect and I appreciate her comments. As a bookseller she has a different perspective and it’s obviously an important one that writers and publishers should take note of.

The books (1 Red Flower, A is for Anklet, If I Were a Star and Sweet Pink Posies) are now available at all MPH outlets and other selected bookshops. They cost RM9.90 each and I am donating my share of royalties to the Paediatric AIDS Fund, set up by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation in 1996 to look after the needs of children infected and/or affected by HIV and AIDS.

Comments

[Alex Tang]

Hi Daphne,

I am impressed that you took the bad review well in your stride. It is always tough to get a 'bad' review because we have put so much blood, sweat and tears into our books.

Just remember everybody have their opinions and reviews and they do not necessarily agree with yours. So I hope you will not be too discouraged, learn from the criticism and produce some more books.

[Shi Jing]

Hi Daphne,

I have just bought your set of picture books from MPH. I thought they were not bad for a first-timer. I personally thought that the colours were a tad dark though but my dad thought they were fine.
Another opinion: I thought a different font could have been used. Yes, this might sound slightly kiasu but this was something I learnt in my Language and Literacy subject in uni (I study Early Childhood Education, if this helps clear some confusion). You see, the font in your book do not reflect a person's handwriting. The main objective (I assume) for many writers would be to develop children's language and literacy skills. Having a standard font helps. For example, the letter a of the font in your books is not the font we all write in. Using a standard font helps lessen the confusion in children. Hm, I think I'm talking to much now. Haha.. but yes, I am so happy that there are more and more Malaysians breaking into the picture book scene. =)