Naughty Little Nonya: Tales From Singapore, #3

By Janice Wee

Welcome to the world of Tammy, a vivacious seven-year-old Nonya girl with an endless imagination and an unbridled sense of adventure. This delightful collection of short stories, designed for a Grade 3 reading level, brings you along as Tammy transforms her everyday life into a realm of laughter, excitement, and discovery.

Follow Tammy as she plays dress-up and accidentally ruins her grandma's dresses, dreams of a tree sprouting from her head, and sets her cherished teddy bear ablaze while building a campfire in her room. Tammy's escapades take a heart-pounding turn when she's kidnapped by strangers, only to be saved by her courageous cousins. Together, they outwit burglars, leaving them shaking in their boots. 

These engaging stories, set against the backdrop of the vibrant Peranakan culture, celebrate the innocence of childhood and the strength of family bonds. As Tammy's whimsical adventures unfold, readers of all ages will be captivated by her unwavering spirit and enchanted by the world she creates.

Tammy's exhilarating journey invites you to explore the magic that lies within the imagination, the importance of family, and the boundless joy of childhood. This enchanting book is sure to leave you cheering for Tammy, laughing alongside her, and inspired by her incredible adventures.

Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a thrilling adventure with Tammy, a lively seven-year-old Nonya girl who transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Dive into this captivating collection of short stories and discover a world where imagination knows no limits, and where the spirit of childhood shines through every page.

Join Tammy and experience the wonder, the excitement, and the heartfelt lessons that await within these enchanting tales. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming journey filled with laughter, adventure, and inspiration.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janice Wee
• Release date: May 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215900369

Janice Wee

Janice Wee is Straits Born Chinese from Singapore. She is a sixth generation Singaporean, the daughter of two English teachers and who spent her childhood in libraries. Learn more about the worlds and characters in her stories in her website janicewee.com

Book preview

Grandma’s Kebaya

The moment Tammy stepped into the kitchen, a chaotic concoction bombarded Pixie’s sensitive canine nose. Tammy’s human scent of earth and vinegar which was fine on its own, clashed with the overpowering floral bouquet - liberal splashes of Grandma’s perfume. The final result offended Pixie’s delicate tastes.

Pixie, you smelly dog. You need a bath, the little girl smiled, ruffling Pixie’s fur.

Look who’s talking. Pixie sniffed.

The doggy leaned into her touch. Smelly or not, the tiny human gave excellent massages.

Tammy, Grandma’s penetrating voice rang through the kitchen. Come here now.

Coming, Mama, with a bounce in her step, the little girl scampered into the grand room adorned with a towering wardrobe and a full-length mirror.

Tammy, fetch my silver hairpin for me. Grandma adjusted her baju kebaya[1], eyes transfixed on her own regal reflection. 

Ever eager to please, little Tammy clambered onto a stool to retrieve a silver pin with a rose from a big red jewellery box. Chest puffed up; she waved her prize at Grandma.

Not that one. Bring me the butterfly pin. Grandma waved her hand. The other box.

Grandma resembled a mystical fairy godmother from the pages of the books Tammy read to Pixie. She looked magical in her pretty kebayas and shiny jewellery. Did she have a magic wand in one of those boxes?

Handing the butterfly pin to grandma, Tammy perched on a stool. Mesmerized, she watched grandma transform herself with her round golden box, applying makeup with deft strokes of her brush. Pixie rubbed her nose against Tammy’s leg, but the little human didn’t respond. Her eyes were as big as doughnuts, her smile wide enough to fit a chicken drumstick.

There, Grandma smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Mama is going out. Be a good girl. Beaming, she ruffled Tammy’s fur, and left the house. (Female humans have fur on top of their heads but nowhere else. They ruffle fur as a sign of affection.)

Grandma left the closet door unlocked. Little Tammy, more curious than the neighbourhood cat, slipped into the closet, exploring the captivating world of kebayas and beaded slippers.

A bright orange kebaya caught the little human’s eye. She pulled it out for a closer look. It had silver trim and pink flowers. Grandma hosted parties wearing this kebaya and beaded slippers. The little girl rummaged the shelves below the dresses and pulled out a pair of orange slippers with pink flowers. This goes with that dress. Her eyes shone, bright as stars in the night sky. I can look like a fairy princess too!

She slipped her arms into the too-long sleeves. The blouse was even longer than her longest dress, but it was gorgeous. Despite its overwhelming size, the foolish little girl insisted on trying it on. She struggled with the buttons, but she managed to fit them into the correct loops.

Slipping her feet into the beaded slippers, she looked like Cinderella.

As she swam through swathes of fabric to reach the mirror, her slipper caught the dress. The clumsy little girl tripped, and fell, stepping