Little Hero will launch at leading Asian children’s content festival

Little Hero’s book launch is two Saturdays from now!

It will be on Saturday 25 May at 11.30am-12.30pm at the National Library (100 Victoria Street). My book launch will be a public programme at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content, the largest of its kind in the region.

Nora Nazerene Abu bakar, Publisher of Penguin SEA, will host my launch event, where I will share how I crafted my historical fiction book and also delve into my family’s real life exploits in 1940s post-war Singapore. 

My father, aka ‘Little Hero’, joins our launch conversation to reveal exciting nuggets of his family’s dramatic lives that inspired my book. 

You will be able to buy my books from AFCC’s Festival Bookstore, and I will be on hand to autograph the books.

Come for my book launch and find out why Little Hero released as Amazon.sg’s #1 Hot New Release and readers pushed it to #1 Bestseller (Children’s historical fiction) on the weekend of its release! 

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Chat on Little Hero, Jackfruit & Ngor Hiang on CNA 938’s Mel Oliveiro

I had the pleasure of chatting on live radio with CNA 938’s Mel Oliveiro about Little Hero for 28 minutes! I was slightly nervous at the start; but soon relaxed to her friendly voice. The interview is available on podcast here: 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/daily-cuts/little-hero-emily-lim-leh-4316296

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Mel asked me the most insightful questions about Little Hero’s story arc and character arcs, from main character Ying Xiong to his opium-addicted father and hardworking cloth-seller mother.

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As I shared on air, Little Hero is a book for both young and old. A 40-something-year-old friend bought my book, reading it the moment it arrived. Her 12-year-old took it from her after and binge-read it in one sitting. It’s now onto her 77-year-old mother.

For children, this is a story about resilience, courage and overcoming challenging and seemingly limiting circumstances in life. It also offers an insight into the struggles that their grandparents and great-grandparents went through in post-war 1940s Singapore.

For adults, they will be able to connect with many of my father’s memories of old Singapore and their own experiences back then.

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Little Hero is available in the bookstores in Singapore, Kinokuniya Malaysia and e-bookstores! It came in at #1 Hot Release on Amazon.sg when released on Tuesday 30^th April and reached #1 Bestseller (Children’s Historical Fiction) over the weekend. 😊

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Little Hero launches off into bookstores with its tale of grit, resilience & family

Little Hero launches into several e-bookstores today! Yay!

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My latest book (published by Penguin Books SEA) is a tale of separation, loss and growing-up in post-war 1940s Singapore seen through the eyes of a young child Ying Xiong. Through this, he comes to discover what it means to be an ying xiong (Chinese translation of ‘hero’).

This book is inspired by real events in my family’s past exploits and the main character inspired by my father and grandparents.

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Early reviews from book reviewers have been most heartening.

A couple of review extracts here:

“This touching tale transports you to post-war 1940s Singapore, where seven-year-old Ying Xiong faces separation, loss and the journey [to independence]. Inspired by real-life events, this heartfelt story follows Xiong’s resilience and growth amidst family struggles and newfound friendships. Written by award-winning author Emily Lim-Leh, this fictional masterpiece draws inspiration from real-life events from her family.”

                                                                 @jyoti_yaj (IG reviewer)

“To us, this story is about hope, resilience and growth…highly recommended read.”

                                @joshtruly

“…a rare post-war #kidlit #singlit we all need – 5 stars -“

                            Hwee’s Book Share Club

“…a heartwarming and educational read that’s perfect for middle primary schoolers and beyond…highly recommended…”

                                  For Mamas, To Kids

Little Hero is now available for online orders from the following bookstores:

Amazon SG and Amazon International

Kinokuniya Singapore, Kinokuniya Malaysia

Times Bookstore

Closetful of Books

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Toy Tales, Fables of a Little Hero & the Children of Knightsbridge

Had my first student reactions to a sneak peek which I provided to my soon-to-be-launched Little Hero, published by Penguin Books SEA!

I did an author visit to Knightsbridge International School in connection with their Book Week this week. And I was so heartened as I shared with the 150 children about my first book Prince Bear & Pauper Bear and provided a glimpse into my latest book Little Hero.

I enjoyed the questions that came fast and furiously curious.

Most engaged, deep-thinking question

Boy: Why did the father tie the rope around the children [when their ship sank]?

         Isn’t there a better solution? Why didn’t they just use a lifeboat? 

Me: There was no lifeboat. 

Boy: Oh, it’s like Titanic! 

Me: Yes, isn’t it?

Most-invested-in-storyline Question

2^nd Boy: “Did they die in the end?” (referring to main character, his siblings and father)

Me: “Well, the main character is inspired by my father…and I’m here today. So that’s your answer.” ☺️

Most-happy-to-hear Final Question

Girl: Where can we buy your books?

(Love 😊.)

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