It takes a village to raise a child.
– Old African proverb
For five days a week, two-and-a-half-year-old Javier stays with his Ye-ye and Nai-nai (Grandfather and Grandmother) as his Daddy and Mommy have to work. The resultant change to the lives of Ye-ye, Nai Nai, and the hapless Shu-shu (Uncle) depicted in this lovingly illustrated book about a day in the life of little Javier.
In Javier’s Day, the book’s author and illustrator Joshua Chiang finds inspiration in the form of his nephew Javier. Joshua is driven to document a moment in Javier’s childhood when he realizes how fast the toddler is growing and changing with every passing day.
“It is about the joys of growing up all over again through the eyes of the youngest member of the family,” he says. “It is also about how children are raised in the modern Singaporean context. We may have moved out of our kampungs long ago, but it still takes an entire village – plus the maid – to raise one child.”
By eschewing words in favor of a purely pictorial presentation, Joshua Chiang has created a book that can be read by the whole family together, regardless of age-group and literacy level.
There are very limited copies of the original self published book left. To purchase, click here.
Product Details
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Cerealbox Studios
Language: English
ISBN: 978-981-08-7963-1
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.15 inches
Price: $14.00 (excluding postage) + $1.00 for postage (for local deliveries)
Praise for Javier’s Day
“The way the story is communicated without any words means that a child and the grandparent can both understand the same message.
I love the humourous observation of daily life. It also reflects of modern times where the grandparents take on a different role.”
-Pepper See, mother of a 4-year-old.
“Love this part when i passed the book to my parents : As my mum didn’t have her glasses on, she wanted my dad to describe to her what the pictures were about. My dad – who doesn’t read – then went page by page to tell her the story of the baby and the family. The short session was warm and sweet as they laughed and related the pictures based on their experience with us. “
– Lynn Ng, 32.
Cerealbox Studios 