Don't mess with an elephant mummy! FM93.8

Jin Pyn's harrowing escape from being gnawed and trampled to death by a protective elephant mother.

But because she's seen both sides of the animal, she respects it even more for what it truly is - a wild, magnificent and intelligent animal.

Hear her story on FM93.8
http://www.podcast.com.sg/rsi_english/
ttales/070416_ttales_elephant.mp3

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

Thoughts from The Elephant and the Tree at ROJAK

How The Elephant and the Tree was born, and more ...

When?
10th February 2007, Saturday night 8pm

Where?
ROJAK 07 - where artists, creators, designers share the making of their works.
Penthouse One, 37th Floor
Pearlbank Apartments
Singapore 169019
Hosted by Ed Poole.

http://www.farm.sg/index.php/rojak/

MOTHERHOOD magazine

The Elephant And The Tree
Written and illustrated by Jin Pyn

A graduate in English literature, Jin Pyn, is not new to the wondrous world of writing. Her picture book, the elephant and the tree, doesn't fail to catch the reader's attention with cute illustrations and rhymes.

Page One Wonder

The eletree trio found the new Page One at VivoCity to be the most wondorous place to tell their story.

Huge speakers were set up, and the trio were given plenty of space for the activity and to display the book and freebie.

With the support of Wildlife Asia, the trio screened their story on slides and also in a documentary.

As always, the eletree trio gave out gifts and prizes.


The most important thing was, that the small, and big kids all had fun with the elephant, tree and human from The Elephant and the Tree.

ELE HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Eletree trio would like to wish all an ELE HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ELE Hugs!

Tampines Library Story Time

The children from Tampines got acquainted with The Elephant and the Tree, and Jin Pyn one Tuesday afternoon and evening on Dec 12 in Tampines LIbrary, and Community Library, all thanks to the children's librarian, Krist Chan.

They had a good time watching the short documentary by Jin Pyn, based loosely on the book.

Borders Fun

The eletree trio strikes again! This time storytelling in Borders, on a crowded Sunday afternoon on December 16, in the midst of the Christmas shopping frenzy.


As always, Jin Pyn, the author and illustrator of The Elephant and the Tree, enjoyed interacting with the children, and the children, receiving their freebies.

Kids Company magazine

The Elephant and the Tree is great company for kids too, as featured in the January issue of KIDS COMPANY magazine.



KIDS COMPANY, January 2007

MADE IN SINGAPORE, SAVING THE WORLD
The tree and the elephant were best of friends, until man came along. Set in black, this simple message tells us about the sad effects of deforestation. Good for ages 5 and up. Five per cent of the proceeds from the sale of this book funds elephant welfare projects.

Featured in Lifestyle - the most widely circulated magazine in Singapore

Lifestyle's review was again a testament to the timeless quality of The Elephant and the Tree.



LIFESTYLE read

Lime-green crayon sketches on matt black pages. Minimal writing but what a strong message in a few words. Jin Pyn has done a wonderful job of drawing attention to the plight of elephants (and all wildlife), to nature abused by selfish, callous humans. My heart breaks for elephants, orang utans, tigers and all life on earth (including trees) we have destroyed. Although designed as a child’s book, this is for all who care. I’m keeping it because it’s such a simply beautiful book.

And again in the Chinese news

The Elephant and the Tree, and Jin Pyn had a pleasant interview with the reporter of the most widely read Chinese papers in Singapore, subsequently published in a full page article - so big Jin Pyn had difficulty scanning it.

In Malaysian news too

The Elephant and the Tree made it to Malaysian papers too, The Sunday Star, to be specific, on Dec 3, 2006. Seems that wherever the book has been travelled, it has received good reviews!


… I like the illustrations for Samsui Girl by Lee-Ling Ho and The Elephant and the Tree by Jin Pyn.

Crossing over to Mandarin Channel 8 News

Dec 7 - The Elephant and the Tree was selected for feature in the mandarin television channel, Channel 8's news coverage of the official opening of Page One at VivoCity and the announcement of the inclusion of a new graphic novel category for MDA and NDBCS's First Time Writers and Illustrators Publishing Initiative.

A Very Special Arts Event

It was a very special afternoon that some authors from the First-Time Writers and Illustrators Publishing Initiative shared with the kids from the Very Special Arts camp.


Both the authors and the children thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling session. bp2.blogger.com/_tmxqsl18s74/RZS300Tx0XI/AAAAAAAAABY/ubqtGBGJM9I/s200/VSA-storytelling-crowd-face-camera.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013834403192885618" />


They performed a drama based on the book. In the play, we met the other elephants and trees, as well as other animals in the forest.


A fairytale come true.

subTEXT success

The subTEXT session on Dec 7 in the National Library was publicised by The Straits Times.


30% of the crowd, most of whom are in the literary arts scene of Singapore, bought a copy of The Elephant and the Tree as they liked the illustrations.

"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

It's so cute!

"It's so cute!" was the most common reaction to The Elephant and the Tree at the CLEAN AND GREEN WEEK SCHOOLS CARNIVAL.


Many children who visited the booth left with a new knowledge about the relationship between elephants and trees, as well as the plight of some elephants in captivity.

Many simply stood watching the naturally funny animals on the documentary again and again.

Most were also a card richer - a calendar card that is.

The elephant and the tree found the children cute too.

Book may be used for schools - Ministry of Education

Taken from The Straits Times, Friday, November 17 2006:

"Dr Elizabeth Pang, an MOE spokesman, said the ministry will review the 14 new books (from the First Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative), include them in a book list for teachers and consider making them permanent fixtures on classroom shelves."

TODAY's feature

TODAY, Friday, November 17 2006

THIS LITERARY GREENHORN HAS A GREEN MESSAGE TO SPREAD
by Ashraf Safdar

THERE are resounding symmetries between children and animals.

So it makes sense that first-time novelist Lee Jin Pyn, 31, has brought the two together - in a children's book about animals.

"We have so many social norms to live by; kids and animals don't have that," said Lee, who was given an $8,000 grant by the Media Development Authority to write The Elephant and the Tree.

"When it rains, adults complain. But kids jump into the rain and play."

That's what really connects children and animals, said lee. Both are spontaneous and are naturally curious. And her book is made in a way which will engage this curiosity.

The book, which is printed on black paper, uses green ink to tell the story of a friendship between an elephant and a tree.

The green, symbolically, represents ideas of deforestation, birth and renewal.

The images, meanwhile, are drawn simply - a stream is depicted with a few wavy strokes - because, as Lee believes, "a child will see a line as something else".

The Elephant and the Tree is available from all major bookstores for $18.90. Five per cent of the proceeds will be donated to elephant welfare organisations and Lee hopes that her work will, in no small part, "give a voice to the voiceless".

This, however, is not the first time this former Singapore Airlines flight attendant put her neck out for these "voiceless" animals.

Earlier this year, she and siz other participants were selected from 34,000 people worldwide to take part in Unearthed, a reality TV series during which she learnt howw to film natural history at South Africa's Shamwari Game Reserve.

Unearthed is scheduled to be aired on the Animal Planet in April next year.

Lee said she has always wanted to put the spotlight on the lives of animals through the media - which she certainly has now, on print and on screen.

Minister of State of Education reviews book at OFFICIAL LAUNCH

The official launch was all over the news on all channels and all in the major English and Chinese papers.

News Release taken from National Book Development Council's website: www.bookcouncil.sg

FIRST TIME WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS PUBLISHING INITIATIVE UNCOVERS FRESH TALENTS FOR PUBLISHING INDUSTRY.
14 BOOKS LAUNCHED IN THE CHILDREN'S BOOK GENRE


Singapore, 16 November 2006 – Fourteen children’s books by writers and illustrators nurtured under the inaugural First Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative were officially launched this morning at the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Children’s Writers & Illustrator’s Conference. Minister of State for Education, RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew was the Guest of Honour at the event.

Organised by the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) and the Media Development Authority (MDA), the First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative aims to nurture aspiring local writers and illustrators and is among a slate of initiatives by MDA to develop fresh talents in the local publishing industry. The publishing industry is a key sector contributing *$836 million to GDP and employing more than 6,000 people in 2004.”

From a pool of 200, 14 applicants were short-listed by a panel of judges comprising representatives from MDA, NBDCS and industry practitioners. The selected applicants attended workshops, seminars and Manuscript Assessment sessions to help them refine their works and marketing plans.



Since then, they have each produced charming tales to add to the growing pool of Singapore children’s literature. From errant ducklings to samsui women, these stories not only depict the abundant culture of the East and West present in Singapore but also contribute to the expanding pool of Singapore children’s literature.

Minister of State for Education, RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, who officiated the launch said, “I applaud MDA and NBDCS for this First Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative to nurture local talents. It provides a good platform for aspiring talents to write and illustrate high quality standard children’s literature. I am delighted and moved by the stories and captivating illustrations in these books. The vibrant colours of some, the simplicity of others and the artistry in all would touch the child in each of us. I look forward to the next wave of creative talent from the Initiative.”
* These figures exclude the printing sector.

Executive Director of the NBDCS, Mr. R. Ramachandran appreciates the dedication and commitment of the writers and illustrators to their craft. He said, “The Initiative serves as a launch pad for them to embark on their respective careers in the literary arts while contributing to Singapore’s growing pool of creative writers.”

Commenting on the move to further grow the publishing sector, Mr Seto Lok Yin, MDA's Director of Industry Development said, "The main idea behind this Initiative is to encourage more of our budding writers to create wonderful children stories, have them published and enjoyed by readers not only in Singapore but all over the world. We brought the first batch of 14 books last month to the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's biggest book fair, and were delighted by the interests from international publishers and distributors.


“Because of the encouraging response to last year's First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative, MDA and NBDCS are pleased to launch the second year of the Initiative. This year, in addition to the Children’s’ book genre, we are adding a graphic novel category. This should open up much more opportunities to our writers and illustrators,” added Mr Seto Lok Yin.

Ms. Rosemarie Somaiah, a well-known teacher, storyteller and writer and one of the judges, is pleased to see the efforts of the budding writers and illustrators come to fruition. “I was very impressed by the variety of styles of the artwork and some of the gorgeous handmade books. This Initiative is a wonderful stimulus to pragmatic Singaporeans who will hopefully be encouraged to take the plunge into writing.”

Heartened by the response from the public, the next phase of the First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative will be launched on a wider and grander scale. While the focus for submission remains children’s genre, another parallel initiative will soon be launched to solicit works in the comics and graphic novel category.

The First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative is also supported by the National Library Board (NLB), Bookaburra Books, EarShot and The Society for Reading and Literacy (SRL).