In a rare opportunity, we took J and K to a book signing ceremony last Sunday.
Why rare? Because it’s hard to come across an author who is loved by them and is willing to do the autograph at the same time.
It turned out to be an exciting event for the kids and even for me. The crowd was manageable and we had the chance to ask the author anything we wanted and took pictures.
The problem is J and K only started to “love” this artist-cum-author a few weeks ago. Even though they knew about Cheeming Boey‘s first book “When I was a kid” long time ago, it was not time yet for them to pick it up and read.
Since then, Boey has come up with a sequel to the first book – aptly called “When I was a kid 2.” Boey is a Malaysian artist who is better known for his drawing on styrofoam cups and an animator for Diablo game.
Once the kids started to show interest, in one go, we bought Boey’s first and second books. His books are unlike the other as he uses simplified comics to tell his childhood stories. Some funny, others naughty, the rest serious.
(A word of warning though if you plan to buy them for your child, Boey’s books contain little but negligible vulgarity… and with a pinch of swearing. If you are easily offended, please stay away)
But Boey’s books are not what I want to talk about here.
Before the book signing started, Boey shared his childhood stories. And he also took in questions from the audience.
There are two points Boey made that day which I find them important:
1) Be yourself – Boey is lucky because his parents did not object when he told them he wanted to study art even though many Asian parents favored medicine or engineering. Because of that, he is happy with where he is today and encourages parents to let their children do what they want – even it means studying not-so-popular subjects. Here’s Boey’s questions to parents: “Do you want an artist who is happy or a doctor who has bad reputation?”
2) Choose your words wisely – Be careful what you say to your child. It can make or break your child’s future. Encourage, not dissuade. Using the right words can help your child to have the right kickstart in whatever they want to do. I am guilty of this personally. We have to be conscious of what we say all the time, especially in front of children.
Want more tips on helping your child realize his full potential? Check out “The Nonconformist’s Guide to Parenting.”
More details about the book can be found here:
http://www.parentwonder.com/nonconformists-guide/
I am sure the book will be as entertaining as Boey’s “When I was a kid.”
