Kids ASK! about Anything & Everything

Besides New Year’s Eve, August is the eagerly anticipated month when we get the opportunity to crane our necks, looking up in the night sky as a myriad of patterns and colours explode before our eyes. With the National Day Parade and the Singapore Fireworks Celebration, we have more than enough opportunity to feast our senses on this age-old practise that still gives people goose bumps.

Before they go up in smoke, pyrotechnicians prepare the fireworks which consist of different parts. Simply put, one of the parts is a tube containing gunpowder, a fuse and the firework. The other part is the firework which consists of chemicals, more gunpowder and another fuse. When the first fuse is lit, it ignites the gunpowder, which blasts the firework up into the sky. This explosion lights the second fuse which burns slowly as the firework flies up, which then sets off the gunpowder, causing the firework to explode. When this happens, it mixes the chemicals and depending on which chemicals are used, different colours and effects are produced. If the fireworks display is complicated, the firework might contain different elements like star pellets or smaller shells which make smaller bursts, to add more variety (such as spark or light patterns) to the display.

References:
- Thomas, Isabel. (2007). Fireworks!. Oxford : Raintree.
- Brain, Marshall. How Fireworks Work. Retrieved August 13, 2008, from HowStuffWorks Web site: http://people.howstuffworks.com/fireworks2.htm

Want to read more about fireworks? Here are some recommended books:

Fireworks! by Isabel Thomas
Publisher : Oxford : Raintree, 2007.
Call No. : J 662 THO

Pyrotechnician, by Mary Firestone
Publisher : Philadelphia, Pa. : Chelsea House Publishers, c2006.
Call No. : J 662 FIR

Gunpowder, by Trudi Strain Trueit
Publisher : New York, N.Y. : Franklin Watts, c2005.
Call No. : J 662 TRU

Fireworks, by Vicki Cobb
Publisher : Minneapolis, Minn. : Millbrook Press, c2006.
Call No. : J 662 COB

From rock to fireworks : a photo essay, by Gary W. Davis
Publisher : New York : Children’s Press, c1997.
Call No. : JP 662 DAV

For the availability of the above book titles, please check the library catalogue.

All websites were last accessed on 12 August 2008. Please check the websites’ homepages for the terms and conditions of use.Book covers were extracted from www.amazon.com and www.bn.comPosted by Galvin SohLibrarianChildren’s Services

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ASK! about The Librarian 

On 2 August 2008, NLB once again supported people who are disabled by participating in the SDSC’s Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Roadshow, held at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.

Roy, our librarian, was there to promote books to the public and atheletes with disabilities.

“Serving people with disabilities is very meaningful, as we have a chance to bring the joy of reading to them. In doing so, I hope that we can make a positive difference in their lives.” - Roy Won

FAQ: What started the Paralympic Games?
The idea began when Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised games involving British WWII veterans who sustained spinal injuries, in England in 1948. As other countries joined in, an international initiative was born. More athletes of different disabilities also joined in. The first Olympic-style Games for disabled athletes were held in Rome in 1960.

In 1976, the Winter Games started in Sweden. The International Paralympic Committee was formed in 1989. Today, Paralympic Games are held at the same venue and same year as the Olympics, part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) “one bid, one city” initiative.

FAQ: What is NLB doing at the Paralympic Games Roadshow?
Or rather, what business has the library got at any roadshow for that matter. The answer is: education. We are knowledge providers. We cover the whole range of DDC, 000s to 999s, and fiction stories too. Thus, we have practically every topic that’s written in the world. Beyond books, we even have the Digital Library, where you can retrieve current information like research and news. Clearly, information is important, and the library is a rich source of it. What’s more, the library’s free too!

At the SDSC Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Roadshow, a selection of books on atheletes with disabilities and the Paralympics were showcased. These books can be generally found at the DDC number 796.08 and 796.01, in the recreation, or Young People general collection of libraries.

Reference:
- “Paralympic Games”, International Paralympic Committee, 2008, 11 Aug. 2008, www.paralympic.org/release/
Main_Sections_Menu/Paralympic_Games/
- “Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Mount Olympus Meets the Middle Kingdom.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Library Edition. 11 Aug. 2008 library.ebonline.com/eb/article-277422

Posted by Ang Mei Jun,

Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

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ASK! about Singapore 

Do you feel a sense of loss or nostalgia when you watch children playing? It could be that you lament how ‘traditional’ games have been replaced by technology like computers, or simply feel sadness that children today are not privileged to the simple joys you had long past.

For the youths who are reading this blog, their reactions are probably more of curiosity, a keenness to find out how people in the past could have possibly entertained themselves in the absence of technology like today’s.

Fortunately, information and books have been compiled to preserve the history of games played during early times. Below are some suggested sources:

1. Gateway to Asian Games (Call No.: J SING 790.15095 GAT) 
Inside the book, Gateway to Asian Games, you will find concise information of various games played in Asia, many of which belong to the fond memories of our childhood and parents’ days.  Accompanied by coloured pictures and step-by-step instructions, the book is a user-friendly game guide as well.

The book is packed with surprises as it contains many unknown facts. For instance, you will discover, that a number of games played in Asia, such as Hopscotch, originated in non-Asian countries . It was actually first played in Britain during the early Roman Empire. In Malaysia, it goes under the name ‘ketengteng’ or ‘ting-ting’. Some of the games such as playing swings and kite flying, are followed by a comic strip to explain their origins.

Games you will find inside: Dayam & Paramapadam, Weiqi, Cherki Cards, Paper Dolls, Gasing, Tangram etc.

2. Gateway to Eurasian Culture (Call No.: SING 305.804 GAT)
This book is a collection of the history, culture and lives of Eurasians in Singapore, from the past to the present. Under the chapter ‘Daily Life’, is a mention of Eurasians playing the Peranakan card game Cherki.

Games you will find inside: Cherki, sports like softball, tennis etc

3. Gateway to Malay Culture (Call No.: 305.89928 GAT)
What did the villagers play during the Kampong days? They had no Nintendo or Playstation then, but life in the village was still just as fun. Described in section ‘Home and Attire’, are games like kite flying, chapteh, and congkak.

Games you will find inside: Gasing, kite flying, chapteh etc.

4. National Library’s Infopedia
The Infopedia articles below were compiled base on research from various books and electronic sources:
- Five stones by Bonny Tan (1999)
- Gasing by Zaubidah Mohamed (2004)
- Wayang kulit by Endon Salleh (1999)

Contributed by Ng Cheng Soon, Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

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Our dear Singapore’s birthday is round the corner, so let’s wish her a happy birthday!! Wonder who’s the lucky ones whom managed to get the tickets to this year’s parade huh ** envious **

For this year’s theme songs and information, they can be found at the NDP website . For the past years’ theme songs as well as lyrics, I stumbled upon this website by the National Arts Council. Contains most of the theme songs and lyrics!! But please do go thru their useful information page for the terms and condition of usage and such.

Hmm, does any one else know of other good sites that features our country’s National Day theme songs and lyrics?

If you have any enquiries or comments, please drop us an email at ask@nlb.gov.sg and we will reply within 3 working days.

Posted by
Mr Justin Tan
Librarian
Adult and Young People’s Services

ASK! about The Librarian

NLB recently took part in Disability Information Referral Centre’s (DIRC) Abilities Roadshow 2008, held at the National Library Plaza. The roadshow aimed to “create awareness of the various services for people with disabilities, offered by Voluntary Welfare Organisations in the Disability sector”.

We were there to celebrate the abilities of People With Disabilities. We wanted to promote awareness and demystify misconceptions by encouraging people to read related books. In 2007, NLB also participated in the DAPE fair.

The Abilities Roadshow 2008 was graced by Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan.

He delivered a speech, and also visited the booths set up by various VWOs. Children had fun at a colouring contest, and the crowd was also treated to performances by the Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled.

At NLB’s booth, many youths sat down without second thought to be adorned with NLB’s tattoos. Each organisation received a plaque from NCSS Chief Executive Officer Ms Ang Bee Lian for their commitment to serving people who are disabled.

The NLB public libraries have lots of disability-related books.

Why are some people deaf? How do blind people read? Are autistic children shy? How do you explain disabilities to a young child?

These were some of the many questions participants at the roadshow asked at NLB’s counter. Through our suggestions, they found their answers in the books at our booth.

Some books featured at the roadshow can be found in our booklists, Understanding Disability Part 1 and Understanding Disability Part 2, which can be found here.

During this event, we not only promoted disability education to the public, but took the opportunity to hobnob with other members of the special community.

We thank DIRC for the opportunity to be showcased alongside the other VWOs.

Posted by Ang Mei Jun,

Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

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Kids ASK! about Anything & Everything

According to the Wikipedia entry on Mass Rapid Transit, the “Ang Mo Kio, Jurong East and Tanah Merah stations were built with a third middle track for off-service trains to stop at before they return to their depots, but the last two are now used as termini for the North South Line and the Changi shuttle respectively.” (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Rapid_Transit_(Singapore) ) , last accessed 09 July 2008.

In addition, according to SMRT, the stations with three tracks are interchange stations. For example, Jurong East station has three tracks - one heading towards the north (Marina Bay via Woodlands), one to the east (Pasir Ris) and one to the west (Boon Lay). For the Ang Mo Kio station, it acts as a holding stop for trains which are faulty and hence withdrawn to the Ang Mo Kio train depot.

For enquiries relating to SMRT bus and train services, the public can contact SMRT via their general enquiries hotline 1800-3368 900 (operating hours Mon - Fri, 7.30 am - 6.30pm.

Want to know more about trains and train tracks? Here are some recommended books:

Trains on the tracks, by Kathryn Smithyman and Bobbie Kalman
Publisher : New York : Crabtree, c2007.
Call No. : JP 625.2 SMI

C is for caboose : riding the rails from A to Z, by Traci N. Todd
Publisher : San Francisco, Calif. : Chronicle Books, c2007.
Call No. : JP 385 TOD

Bullet trains, by Charles Hofer
Publisher : New York : PowerKids Press, 2008.
Call No. : J 385 HOF

Train, by David West
Publisher : Oxford : Raintree, c2007.
Call No. : J 625.2 WES

Riding the rails : rail travel past and present, by Jane Shuter
Publisher : Oxford : Raintree, c2004.
Call No. : J 385 SHU

All websites were last accessed on 9 July 2008. Please check the websites’ homepages for the terms and conditions of use.
All images were extracted from www.amazon.com and www.bn.com

For the availability of the above book titles, please check the library catalogue.

Posted by Galvin Soh
Librarian
Children’s Services

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Kids ASK! about Singapore

[Editor’s note: When I first saw this question, I was stumped. It would be really difficult to put an exact number to the trees as in addition to the planted trees, we do have small nature reserves with dense vegetation. Nonetheless, it is still an interesting question and fellow colleague Stephanie, gave this answer.]

It will be difficult to put an exact figure to the number of trees in Singapore. However, I will attempt to provide some information that will give an idea to the number of trees in Singapore.

From an article in The Straits Times dated 9 April 1990:
“Over the past 10 years, the number of trees planted by the department has doubled - from 327,000 to 660,000. Shrubs doubled from 2.4 million to 4.5 million. And last year, the department planted a total of 41,370 trees, including fruit trees and palms”.

Source:
The Straits Times, 9 April 1990 - accessible from Factiva, an online database consisting of archives of over 9000 news and information sources, including The Straits Times, Business Times, New York Times, etc. Factiva.com can be accessed from all multimedia stations available in our libraries.

From Singapore Infopedia:
“The Tree Planting campaign was launched by the government in 1963 with the objective of making Singapore a green city. Every year a minimum of 10,000 saplings are planted as part of this campaign. The campaign consists of an annual Tree Planting Day”.

Source:
Tree Planting Campaign by Thulaja, Naidu Ratnala - accessible from Singapore Infopedia database, which can be accessed via our multimedia stations available at the libraries.

From Singapore: the encyclopedia:
“Although over 95 percent of Singapore’s original vegetation cover has been cleared due to urbanization, there are still some 200 ha of (mostly secondary) rainforests left, as well as stretches of mangroves. Presently, Singapore has over 2000 species of flora”.

Source:
Book title: Singapore: the encyclopedia [editor-in-chief, Tommy Koh ; general editors, Timothy Auger, Jimmy Yap, Ng Wei Chian].
Call No.: RSING 959.57003 SIN -[HIS]

[Editor’s post humorous note: Well we do not know how many trees are in our rainforests but from the numbers above, just from the tree planting campaign alone, at least 450 000 trees were planted (45 years multiplied by a minimum of 10, 000 trees). That’s quite a lot of trees but some would probably say it is not enough.]

If you want to read more about trees, here are books that you can check out at our library.

Tropical trees and shrubs : a selection for urban planting by Wee Yeow Chin
Call No.: SING 582.16095957 WEE

Trees of our garden city : a guide to the common trees of Singapore
Editors: Tee Swee Ping, Wee Mei Lynn; Contributors, Low Yong Kwee … [et al.].
Call No.: RSING 582.16095957 TRE

The common plants of Singapore by Wee Yeow Chin
Call No.: RSING 581.959 WEE [CD ROM]

All websites are last accessed on 20 June 2008. Please refer to the terms and conditions on the homepages for use.
For the availability of the above book titles, please check the library catalogue.

Originally Answered by Stephanie Tan
Librarian, Children’s Services

Posted by Felicia Chan
Librarian, Children’s Services

ASK! about Recreation

Heard of it? I hadn’t, until I picked up a newsletter during while on Molly’s visit to Salvation Army Gracehaven today.

Like sports such as soccer and basketball, Tchoukball is a team game. The goal post, is a trampoline inclined at an angle on the ground. To score a goal, your ball must hit the net. It is played in a 40m by 20m court, slightly larger than a basketball court. The sport actually had its origins far back in the 1970s, and was invented by Swiss biologist Dr Hermann Brandt who wanted to have a sport where players were less prone to serious injuries.

 A list of centres that offer Tchoukball programmes are available on the Singapore Sports Council’s website, of which the Salvation Army’s Youth Development Centre at Kallang Bahru is listed as one of the centre’s with Tchoukball programmes.

There is, quite amazingly to someone who has heard of this the first time, a International Tchoukball Federation (FITB). The organisation was founded in 1971 and has organised several Tchoukball games worldwide.

In Singapore, the Tchoukball Association of Singapore (TBAS) supports and promotes the game at both national and international level through competitions, workshops, and courses.

Tchoukall is also one of the ball games competitions in the 2009 World Games, which will be held in Kaohsiung. 

The article I had come across is a real life story in Salvation Army’s May issue of their monthly newsletter, ‘Partners In Caring’. It is about a teen called Matthew, who learned about life and its responsiblities after playing the game. If you are interested, Salvation Army’s newsletters can be found on their website here.

Lastly, do you know how to pronounce ‘Tchoukball’? It is actually ’chuke-ball’. Or have you already guess?

Information from:

- “What is Tchoukall?”, Straits Times, 11 April 2008, Newsbank, 10 Jun 08, (Available on NLB eResources)
- “Tchoukball takes off - Two years after its introduction, sport has a growing following in schools” Straits Times, 11 April 2008, Newsbank, 10 Jun 08, (Available on NLB eResources)
- Tchoukball Association of Singapore (TBAS), http://www.tchoukball.org.sg/, 10 Jun  08.
- Ball Sports: Tchoukball, World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, http://www.worldgames2009.tw/english/index.asp, 10 Jun 08, URL: http://www.worldgames2009.tw/english/Sports/tchoukball.asp

Posted by Ang Mei Jun,

Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

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ASK! about  Anything & Everything

In the movie Sex and the City, the romantic location that Carrie chose for her marriage to Big was the New York Public Library, so that she could bask in the aura of the great love stories there.

Big suffered a last-minute-commitment-phobia malady however and backed out of the marriage. They were finally married in a simple ceremony held at the New York City Hall.

Posted by Ang Mei Jun,

Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

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ASK! about History

The first official Formula One World Championship was in 1950, and the first Grand Prix race in France in 1906. The history of international racing is earlier than that though, dating back to 1895 when the first motorised race was recorded in a Paris to Bordeaux trial.

The first night race in Formula One history will be held in Singapore.

You can find books on Formula 1 and automobile racing at the Recreation section of libraries under the call number 796.72. For books on the science and technology of race cars, check out books under the call number 629.228 in the General section.

Image from: Wikipedia, Image: Formula One.jpeg, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Formula_one.jpg

Information from:
1. World book encyclopedia Vol. 1, Chicago :  Field Enterprises Educational Corp.,  1917-
2. Genat, Robert. “Automobile Racing.” The New Book of Knowledge®. 2008. Grolier Online. 4 May 2008 http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2001890-h
3. Encyclopedia Americana Vol. 2, Danbury Conn. :  Scholastic Library Pub.,  c2005.
4. Atlas F1, The Formula One Timeline 4 May 08, http://www.atlasf1.com/timeline/50s.html

Posted by Ang Mei Jun,

Librarian, Adult & Young People’s Services

Found this question interesting? What do you think? Post your comments.
If you have a different question, please email to ask@nlb.gov.sg instead of sending a comment.