The Elephant and the Tree

Life isn’t all about ourselves, is it?

That is the premise that got Jin Pyn started on her first book The Elephant and the Tree.

Knowing full well the message she wanted to bring forth, her pen couldn’t stop. (Well, not that there was a lot to write for a children’s picture book, but hey, less is more!)

Set uniquely in black, and orchestrated with a tuneful rhythm, THE ELEPHANT AND THE TREE is about an endearing friendship between an Asian elephant and a tree, with a dose of reality and a strong conservation theme.

The unique illustrations and powerful writing touched the panel of judges who selected the manuscript for the Media Development Authority and the National Book Development Council of Singapore to groom as representational of National talent under the First Time Writers and Illustrators Publishing Initiative.

By the same token Jin Pyn was also selected out of 34,000 applicants worldwide for yet another development course, this time as a natural history filmmaker in a flagship Animal Planet production.

Till this day she staunchly believes that she has her focused altruistic intentions to thank for her good fortune, and that good fortune is bestowed for a reason – so she may be a tool through which this good will is channeled, and be a voice for the voiceless. (The publishers think that it is her creative talents and hard work.)

For this reason she has spearheaded a charitable cause for the book. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be channeled into an elephant welfare fund.

This way the returns will be double, for ourselves.

For more information, visit www.elephantandtree.com

"A rare classic ..." The Straits Times, Dec 3

Kristina Tom of The Straits Times, the most widely read and circulated English language paper in Singapore, likened Jin Pyn's The Elephant and the Tree to Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar - "a rare classic ... where wit and playfulness and heartache leap from the brilliantly illustrated pages all at once."

Jin Pyn is also said to have "an alarming instinct for the very nub of what makes a great fairytale - magic, laughter and very real evil."



"CHILDREN'S picture books do not hold the same magic for me anymore. Of course there is the rare classic like Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, where wit and playfulness and heartache leap from the brilliantly illustrated pages all at once."

I am happy to say that Singapore has a new rare classic of its own with Jin Pyn's debut.

The slim black book has a minimalist look reminiscent of neon yellow chalk on a blackboard. The doodles - a tree is simply a vertical line topped by a hasty squiggle - seem simple, but they are infuse with a warmth and kooky sense of humor."

It is also a simple story: Elephant befriends tree, tree befriends elephant and the two share everything. The elephant wanders far and bring back stories for his rooted friend, while the tree grows tall enough to report the happenings of a nearby village.

But the tale takes a dark turn. A hunter captures the elephant, who stands by his friend in an attempt to prevent his friend from getting the axe.

When the elephant comes to, the tree has been made into a wooden seat on his back, and the two continue as brothers in bondage, as the elephant, presumably, is used for tourist rides.

"So it was the two friends stayed together in company; one chained and one bound, recounting the happy memories."

This is of course, little consolation for the chilling account of freedom and innocence lost - a subtext that is not lost on young children.

Do not be surprised if you are affected by this book as much as your kids are. Jin Pyn has an alarming instinct for the very nub of what makes a great fairytale - magic, laughter, and very real evil." - Kristina Tom

The Elephant and the Tree

Life isn’t all about ourselves, is it?

That is the premise that got Jin Pyn started on her first book The Elephant and the Tree.

Knowing full well the message she wanted to bring forth, her pen couldn’t stop. (Well, not that there was a lot to write for a children’s picture book, but hey, less is more!)

Set uniquely in black, and orchestrated with a tuneful rhythm, THE ELEPHANT AND THE TREE is about an endearing friendship between an Asian elephant and a tree, with a dose of reality and a strong conservation theme.

The unique illustrations and powerful writing touched the panel of judges who selected the manuscript for the Media Development Authority and the National Book Development Council of Singapore to groom as representational of National talent under the First Time Writers and Illustrators Publishing Initiative.

By the same token Jin Pyn was also selected out of 34,000 applicants worldwide for yet another development course, this time as a natural history filmmaker in a flagship Animal Planet production.

Till this day she staunchly believes that she has her focused altruistic intentions to thank for her good fortune, and that good fortune is bestowed for a reason – so she may be a tool through which this good will is channeled, and be a voice for the voiceless. (The publishers think that it is her creative talents and hard work.)

For this reason she has spearheaded a charitable cause for the book. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be channeled into an elephant welfare fund.

This way the returns will be double, for ourselves.

For more information, visit www.elephantandtree.com