TR EMERITUS

Last week, it was revealed that the National Library Board (NLB) had withdrawn 3 children titles from its libraries because they were deemed to be not "pro-family": And Tango Makes Three The White Swan Express Who's In My Family? The withdrawal has sparked much discussion online and in the media polarizing Singaporeans, with some supporting NLB's decision while others criticising it. Minister Yaacob came out to defend NLB saying that NLB’s decision was guided by "community norms". "Public libraries serve the community and it is right that they give consideration to community norms. The prevailing norms, which the overwhelming majority of Singaporeans accept, support teaching children about conventional families, but not about alternative, non-traditional families, which is what the books in question are about. This approach is shared between all public agencies dealing with the education and care of young Singaporeans," he said. He added that NLB’s approach is to reflect existing social norms, and not to challenge or seek to change them. Today (15 Jul), the media reported that other than the 3 said titles, at least 4 others have been quietly removed by NLB. They were: These were It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families And Friends It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, And Families It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, And Sexual Health The Family Book Apparently, when NLB removed "Who's In My Family?" by author Robie Harris, it also investigated the other 22 remaining titles by the same author. Of the 22, it threw out 3 more (Nos 1-3) also deemed undesirable. The 4th title, "The Family Book" by author Todd Parr, came up due to information provided by a transport consultant Dr Paul Barter, who is currently working and living in Singapore. He wrote on his Facebook page [Link]: Has Todd Parr's "The Family Book" also been removed from Singapore's libraries? I just sent this request for information: "Dear NLB Quality Service Manager A few months ago I borrowed "The Family Book" by Todd Parr from one of the Public Libraries. I think it was Serangoon. I wanted to borrow it again a few days ago but was unable to locate it in your catalogue or on the shelves. I just tried again and am now fairly certain that it is no longer in the Singapore National Library System at all. Am I mistaken? Or has this book been removed for some reason? This is important to us because my wife and I are the parents of an adopted daughter, aged 3. Since adopting our daughter we have become intensive users of the children’s' sections of the public libraries in our area (Serangoon especially but also Bishan, Sengkang and Ang Mo Kio). We have been gradually seeking out age-appropriate books that have adoption as a theme, that mention adoption in positive ways, or which portray a diversity of family circumstances in a friendly way. She may face negative attitudes towards adoption in the future and we feel such stories will help our daughter to know that being adopted is in no way shameful or strange. Todd Parr's "The Family Book" is just such a book and our daughter asked for it repeatedly during the time we had it. I would be extremely disappointed if this book has been removed from your collection. Please let me know what has become of "The Family Book" in the NLB system. If it has been removed, please explain why it was removed and please note my request to reinstate it so that I can borrow it again and read it to my daughter. Sincerely, Paul Barter When the media asked NLB if it had also removed the 4 children titles, NLB declined to comment. The 4 are no longer listed in the NLB's catalogue currently. Reviews by the US School Library Journal Following are reviews of the 4 titles by the School Library Journal in the US. The School Library Journal is an authoritative monthly journal with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians in the US, who work with young people. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade, grades 5 and up, and teens. Both fiction and non-fiction titles are reviewed, as are graphic novels, multimedia, and digital resources. Also included are reviews of professional reading for librarians and reference books. 1. These were It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families And Friends Kindergarten-Grade 3: Harris opens by introducing two cartoon characters–a green-feathered bird clad in a purple shirt and blue high-top sneakers and his spike-haired friend, a bee. They wonder, So where DO babies come from? Their conversational commentary, given in word balloons, is a lighthearted supplement to a more focused narrative. Told in the second person, the text is straightforward, informative, and personable. Facts are presented step-by-step, starting from the similarities and differences between boys and girls bodies, moving to a babys conception, growth in the womb, and birth, ending with an exploration of different configurations of families as well as a section on okay versus not okay touches. The book is logically organized into 23 double-page sections. Friendly and relaxed cartoons, either interspersed with the text or appearing in comic-strip form, are integral to the titles success in imparting the material. The labeled drawings show both the outside and the inside parts of the body. As the bee and bird say to one another, Knowing the names of ALL the parts of your body is–PERFECTLY NORMAL! Overall, this book will be accessible to its intended audience, comforting in its clarity and directness, and useful to a wide range of readers. - Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI 2. It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, And Families Kindergarten-Grade 4: Another barrier-breaking contribution by Harris and Emberley that seamlessly bridges It's Perfectly Normal (1994) and Happy Birth Day! (1996, both Candlewick). This oversized, attractive guide on reproduction and birth answers common questions such as "Exactly what is sex?" and "Where does the baby actually come out?" The familiar enthusiastic bird and reluctant bee narrate the comic cartoon panels, eventually deciding that the miracles of birth, families, and love are just "so amazing." Readers will appreciate the life-size illustration of a full-term fetus, and adults will be grateful for the many different ways Emberley portrays situations not always easy to explain to children. People are represented with a variety of body shapes and ethnicity, and Harris discusses sexual preferences and alternative family situations. While the illustrations are engaging and often hilarious, factual information is effectively presented in a clear, nonjudgmental tone that will inform and assure readers. Topics covered include basic anatomy, conception, fetal development, birth, genetics, adoption, and love. Sexual abuse and HIV are sensitively mentioned in short, informative chapters. An essential guide that will delight and inform and appeal to young readers as well as adults. - Katie O'Dell, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR 3. It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, And Sexual Health Grade 4-8: A wonderful guide for young adolescents setting sail on the stormy seas of puberty. Packed with the vital information they need to quell fears and make wise decisions, this "sex manual" uses of clever cartoons to enliven and expand the text. Frank yet playful, they portray a reassuring array of body types and ethnic groups and illuminate the richly informative, yet compact text, allowing readers to come away with a healthy respect for their bodies and a better understanding of the role that sexuality plays in the human experience. Birth control, abortion, and homosexuality are given an honest, evenhanded treatment, noting differing views and recommending further discussion with a trusted adult. The dangers of STDs, teen parenthood, and sexual abuse are examined. The inventive use of a bird and a bee that react to the topics throughout artfully contrasts the differing views of early and late bloomers. Like any book that depicts naked bodies and sexual activity, this one is sure to inspire a few giggles in the stacks and be likely to disappear. But what it offers in scope, currency, and a cheerfully engaging format is quite special. An ideal introduction to "coming of age." - Virginia E. Jeschelnig, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH 4. The Family Book PreSchool-Grade 2: As he did in The Mommy Book and The Daddy Book (both Little, Brown, 2002), Parr introduces children to an array of families. Whimsical illustrations featuring neon colors and figures outlined in black show big ones and small ones, and families that look alike and relatives who look just like their pets. The art features both human and animal figures; thus, pigs depict both a family that likes to be clean, and one that likes to be messy. Some families include stepmoms, stepdads, stepsisters, or stepbrothers; some adopt children. Other families have two moms or two dads, while some children have only one parent. Interspersed with the differences among families are the ways they are alike: all like to hug each other, are sad when they lose someone they love, enjoy celebrating special days together, and can help each other to be strong. This concept book celebrating the diversity of family groups is distinguished by its sense of fun. - Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA   UPDATE: NLB replied in ST Forum today (16 Jul) that the first 3 controversial books - And Tango Makes Three, The White Swan Express and Who's In My Family - were the only books it withdrew this year as a result of "customer feedback". The other 4 titles mentioned were not withdrawn because of customer feedback. They were withdrawn after they were reviewed internally by NLB for "age-appropriateness". It said that its librarians "regularly review children's books".  Read More →

In a news release yesterday (14 Jul), the People's Association (PA) reported "overwhelming response" to its screenings of World Cup 'live' matches at the Community Clubs (CCs) in Singapore. It said that more than 570,000 residents visited 58 Community Clubs (CCs) islandwide to watch its 'live' screenings of World Cup matches in the past month. The quarter-final match between France and Germany attracted the largest crowd, drawing 44,000 people, PA said. Residents also showed strong community spirit during the screenings, as residents of different ages and races cheered for the same team, neighbours arranged to watch the matches together and many residents volunteered to clean up the premises after the screenings, it added. PA also noted that some residents even bought food to share with PA's CC staff as a "simple but warm gesture of thanks". The PA promises to team up with Community Sports Clubs to organise more sports clinics and carnivals. Mr Ang Hak Seng, BBM, Chief Executive Director of PA said, "We are delighted that the World Cup screenings at the CCs has brought together so many families, friends and neighbours, and helped strengthen family bonds, friendships and neighbourliness. We thank residents for their overwhelming support and positive feedback, and will continue to work with partners to bring similar screenings to the CCs." However, if all the 64 World Cup matches were freely available on free-to-air channels for everyone to watch at home in Singapore like in the following countries: Russia England Portugal Venezuela Ecuador China Australia Japan South Korea Germany Netherlands Canada Greece Switzerland Czech Republic Slovakia Slovenia Bulgaria Poland, and Military-run Thailand Do you think PA's World Cup 'live' screenings will still have "overwhelming response" at its CCs? What do you think?    Read More →

I am a teacher. I am an employee of the Ministry of Education. I am a a civil servant. I am a Muslim. I don the tudung and I am proud to be all of the above mentioned. As a teacher, an educator, everyday I teach my pupils life lessons. Trying my best to instill values in them, so that they will grow up to become a respectable, responsible and kind member of the society. I teach all of them equally no matter their race, religion and nationality. I resonate our government's belief of living in harmony as a cohesive society despite our differences. I have never been treated indifferently because of the piece of cloth I choose to wear over my head. I believe I am not stereotyped by my outfit, religion or skin colour. Rather, by my mannerisms in the way I interact with society. Today, I am appalled, angered, disgusted, devastated. I could go on, but I would rather not. In this month of Ramadan, my younger sister a part-time employee from PUMA was treated in a prejudiced, biased manner just because of the cloth she wears over her head. She was sent to ISETAN located at Wisma Atria to help man the PUMA section in the ISETAN outlet due to a lack of manpower. An hour later two ISETAN managers approached another staff at PUMA and conversed in Mandarin while throwing dirty looks at my sister and made hand signals indicating the headscarf she was wearing. She was then approached by the PUMA staff and was informed that she had to leave the premises as she was wearing a headscarf and should not be working there. Fine, I CAN tolerate that. Next, they called a PUMA manager in a nearby outlet saying that manpower or not my sister had to leave, not once acknowledging my sister's presence or even having the decency to speak to her directly. As though she was a fly on the wall and the only thing they saw was her head scarf. Fine, I WILL tolerate that. Headscarf or no headscarf, some people are just incapable of respecting others, much less understanding anything seemingly different from what they are accustomed to in their small, small world. As my sister was making her way out of the store. She was stopped and told to leave through the service exit and proceed to the security guard post to have her bag checked. Now that is the last straw. People are afraid of anything that is different. They are uncertain and may not be accepting. However appalled I am that such a stigma still exists in Singapore today, I can still accept the fact that some people are still living with a mindset of a backwards society. Everyone's different right? But to make an assumption that a person wearing a tudung does not have morals and will most likely shoplift is an atrocity. Ironic even, do you know the amount of faith one must have to don the tudung? The physical challenges like the weather is one of many things to overcome before making a commitment to wear the tudung forever. Not to mention the emotional, mental and social challenges brought upon by people like the 2 managers from ISETAN. My sister left the store crying and heading straight home after being treated so unjustly and in such an inhumane manner. How ironic, and here I thought being in the customer service line would have taught you to be sincere, kind and not biased towards a person's physical appearance. In this fasting month, let me educate you a little about people who wear tudung. We are normal people, under this scary, scary tudung is a normal person, 2 eyes, 1 nose and a personality that you may even grow to like if you try to get to know us. You did not have the courtesy to address my sister directly. Well here's a direct message to you managers of ISETAN: Firsly, I hope you don't treat your tudung-wearing customers the way you treat your tudung-wearing staff. You know checking all of their bags everytime they leave the store. Secondly, good customer service comes from the heart and is sincere, going the extra mile and treating customers with respect and kindness without judging their physical appearance. You reflected none of that, I suggest you reconsider your career before any customer catches a whiff of you real personality. Finally, you owe my sister an apology. It would be good, if you can throw in some dignity and self-worth in your apology because God knows she lost a basketful of those when she walked out the service exit of your store. Zafirah Edwards [Source]: https://www.facebook.com/ZafirahEdwardMaya   Updated yesterday (14 Jul) Hi everyone, it's time for an update... After the last email sent to them, the deputy manager called. Attempting to give excuses for the managers' actions, saying that it was due to carelessness that the managers behaved that way. Which is funny because they also mentioned the managers were very experienced and always do routine regulation checks on the promoters. According to the deputy manager, there is an SOP to adhere to but they did not follow the SOP for addressing a regulation problem (in this case-the attire) Upon further probing, on the SOP for a sensitive issue like shoplifting, the deputy manager explained that in the event of a shoplifting, the SOP that follows requires the manager to bring the shoplifter to a private area away from public eye for further investigations. Did the victim commit a crime far worse than shoplifting that it had to be addressed in the public's eye there and then? To make matters worse, one of the managers involved in the incident tried to contact Puma directly to find out the detailed information of the victim without the knowledge of Isetan Singapore deputy manager. In doing so, she has unknowingly revealed her identity. As of now, there is still no reply from them. The deputy manager is a nice and friendly man who is trying his best to cater to both parties and is caught in this messy situation. The managers should be the ones addressing this matter.   Editor's note: The media reported today (15 Jul) that TAFEP is currently looking into the allegation of discrimination at work. MP Zainal Sapari has also alerted the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Isetan put up an apology on its Facebook page yesterday (https://www.facebook.com/Isetan.sg): "We would like to apologise sincerely to Miss Zafirah H. Edwards for any anguish and embarrassment. Isetan takes a serious view of the matter. The staff involved will be counseled and the management of Isetan will also take steps to ensure that similar situations will not happen again . We emphasise that Isetan has all along adopted an anti-discrimination policy. Each member of our staff or promoter who is working with us, regardless of race or religion, is a valued member of the Isetan team. We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to a harmonious, non-discriminatory workplace, and will strive to do better from here."  Read More →