IS that a log floating in the water? But wait. What’s a piece of wood doing in a five-star resort’s swimming pool? And why would it be slithering silently towards the pool slides? What would you do if you spotted two dots glinting ominously on what you thought was just a floating piece of timber?
In her latest children’s book, Kayu of Manis Valley, the award-winning Malaysian author Heidi Shamsuddin mischievously explores the deep-seated fears we all harbour as children: Of crocodiles in swimming pools, of clever talking monkeys and of master-of-disguise chameleons.
Published by MPH, the book tells the tale of Kayu, the friendly crocodile that lives in Manis Valley, a once-uncharted part of the rainforest on Langkawi Island.
He was briefly adopted by a human boy but eventually found himself in the rainforest valley populated by a community of animals with their own set of laws.
Being a predatory animal, Kayu has to convince the others that he would behave as he really wants to stay. The crocodile is subsequently taken in by a family of spectacled leaf monkeys, which results in him exuding more primate characteristics rather than reptilian ones.
However, when his home is bulldozed to make way for human development, Kayu and his jungle family find themselves in a delicate situation – having to integrate into their new surroundings while at the same time, making sure that they continue to observe the laws of the jungle as set by their elders, the most important one being to “never interfere in the affairs of humans”.
Excitedly, the author, seated across from me in the bustling confines of a cosy cafe, shares: “Kayu has to make sure that he’s not spotted or seen because humans wouldn’t want to come across a crocodile in a five-star resort. But a conflict arises when he happened to overhear a plan to kidnap a little girl. He now has a conflict – whether to follow the jungle’s rule of not interfering with human affairs, or to save the little girl!”
Fantastical but factual
Heidi is no stranger to the local publishing scene. She has previously written and published five books under the Malaysian historical fictional series, The Door Under the Stairs, which were inspired by Enid Blyton’s mystery novels.
There are three more underway to join the fascinating and educational series which Heidi hopes will be hitting the bookshelves soon.
The affable author also published the highly entertaining, Chickaboo The Runaway Ostrich, which was based on the “legendary” incident which took place on the Federal Highway in early 2016.
In addition, she has also contributed various short stories to numerous anthologies throughout the years, establishing her as a prolific writer who celebrates being Malaysian in all her publications.
Her stories are uniquely “local” in content, with her latest offering bearing her signature touches. For example, the animals featured in the book are native to Langkawi Island and our rainforest. All are except for the chameleon that was brought over by someone as a pet but ended up thriving in the jungle too.
“I made sure I did plenty of research to refine whatever I already knew,” shares Heidi, adding: “Although my stories generally tend to be on the fantastical side, at the same time I like them to be factually correct too. I also want the location and environment of my stories to reflect reality. It’s a good way to help readers feel connected.”
Stories of the jungle
Her current release is said to have been inspired by the evergreen and popular classic, The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling.
Asked when it all started, the lawyer-turned-author confides that it began with a silly thought when she was on holiday in Phuket, Thailand with her family back in 2012.
“At the hotel we stayed in, there were various lakes and pools surrounding a beautiful landscape. As we were making our way to dinner one evening, I saw pieces of wood floating in the water and I thought, “Oh! Those look like crocodiles!’”” she recalls, chuckling.
It was then that the seed for a story was born. Heidi went on to explore and expand it. Her imagination wandered into territories such as fear, for example, what would happen if there really was a crocodile that liked swimming in the pool of a five-star hotel when everyone was asleep. Or a crocodile that loved to play on the waterslides just like a playful child.
“It’s like everyone’s nightmare being spelt out on the pages. That’s my introduction to the story; something I hope would pull the readers in,” shares Heidi.
She adds: “I’ve always loved delving into people’s inner fears but to do so in a comedic or playful way. I just hope it won’t scare the children too much because after all, Kayu is a friendly crocodile and he means no harm.”
Made for everyone
The book is written to entertain children from ages eight to 13 and features illustrations by Lim Lay Koon, who is best known for her work in the award-winning illustrated books, Atuk’s Amazing Sarong and Master & Apprentice.
Confidence in her voice, Heidi says that she’s sure that the book will appeal to all ages. “I write my stories to entertain because honestly, children don’t read books to ‘learn’. I personally hated those kind of books too when I was a child. You know the type - books that tell children what to do and how to behave or books that preach.”
Taking a sip of her coffee before continuing, Heidi tells me that Kayu on Manis Valley isn’t just all fantasy. Important issues are touched upon albeit subtly, like how to care for our environment, and the dangers of over-developing our jungles.
“It’s the underlying theme that I hope children will get,” she says, adding: “Perhaps this will push them to explore the world they live in. Give them the curiosity to learn and discover by having a little fun to begin with.”
Other adventures
It has been more than five years now since Heidi began writing children’s book. It’s a path she took just because she didn’t like the way her lawyer friends in the country worked.
“They come home really late at night and they look really stressed out,” she shares, continuing: “So I decided to take a break from going back to practicing law and looked for other options.”
Throughout her years of studying and practicing law, the sociable author confesses that she’d always harboured the dream of writing a book. It seemed like the perfect time to do so then.
Her first foray, that which later developed into the eight-book Door Under The Stairs series, was a project meant to entice her second son who had trouble finding books that he liked to read. “There was nothing he could identify with,” she confides.
But with a little inspiration from her father who had always encouraged her to read at a young age and exposed her to the world of fairytales, she began to pen down her wildest imagination, turning them into amazing stories and adventures.
Being an author in Malaysia is never easy, admits Heidi. “It’s difficult to market Malaysian books. But I’d never give up on writing.”
Her next project sees her compiling a collection of Malaysian fairy tales, the likes of which, she says, will rival the Brothers Grimm.
“I’ve already collected about 30 stories but I’m aiming for 50. It’s going to be dark and scary. I won’t be Disney-fying any of it. It’ll be naughty, cheeky and some even violent!”
In addition, she’s also completing her very own short animated film, Grin, with the funds secured through her win from the Intellectual Property Creators Challenge (IPCC) from MDEC (Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation).
KAYU OF MANIS VALLEY
Author: Heidi Shamsuddin
Publisher: MPH Publishing
236 pages