Review: The World of Anne Frank by The Anne Frank House

Title: The World of Anne Frank

Compiled by: The Anne Frank House

Year: 2003

ISBN: 0-330-39382-0 

The World of Anne Frank is a compilation by The Anne Frank House of Anne Frank's life in relation to the historical events taking place during World War 2 with regards to the persecution of the Jewish people in Europe, commonly known as the Holocaust. Anne Frank was a 13-year old Jewish girl residing in Amsterdam with her parents, Otto and Edith Frank and her 16-year old sister Margot.

Anne Frank and her family went into hiding on July 6 1942 when the Nazi authorities issued a call-up notice to Margot to be deported to Westerbork concentration camp on July 5 1942. Defying their orders, Otto decided for his family to go into hiding in an old house at his office located at 263 Prinsengracht, Amsterdam; later dubbed by Anne as the Secret Annexe. 

Anne first started writing a diary shortly after receiving a red and white checkered hard cover bound diary from her parents for her thirteenth birthday on June 12 1942. She continued to fill this diary, even when in hiding, chronicling the daily happenings in the Secret Annexe as well the development of her physical and psychological well-being with uncanny accuracy. Besides this, Anne also wrote some short stories based on the stories told to her by Otto when she was younger. She also divulged the hope in seeing the war come an end as she feels that out of all bad, some good things still would come, also to her there are still many good people out there she could count on.

Apart from chronicling Anne Frank's life against the backdrop of World War 2, this book also discussed the issues of anti-Semitism and anti racial in the contemporary context, and they are still very much relevant and applicable in this day of age. I also find this book useful as a teaching tool, specifically about the Holocaust and the World War 2 in general. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who have yet to read Anne Frank's diary, as this book serves the perfect introduction to Anne Frank and the world she had lived in and as how she saw it. For those who have read the diary, it would further enhance their knowledge about the Holocaust and the horrific consequences it had brought to humanity, and that anti-Semitic and anti racial sentiments definitely have no place in this world, even at this day of age.

The World of Anne Frank is suitable for readers of secondary/high school age onwards. Adults readers would find this book very informative and also to complement Anne Frank's diary, if they have read it. I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in history, especially about World War 2. Readers would not be disappointed by this book.    

Review: Do you wear suspenders? The Wordy Tales of Eh Poh Nim by Lydia Teh

Title: Do you wear suspenders? The Wordy Tales of Eh Poh Nim

Author: Lydia Teh

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-967-5222-08-5

Do you wear suspenders? The Wordy Tales of Eh Poh Nim written by Lydia Teh is a story book with a twist. It is the story of Eh Poh Nim who is extremely loquacious with the use English Language in an out-of the ordinary way, i.e. in the form of similés, idioms, hyperboles and oxymorons, just to name a few. This book has been written in a very creative way and it actually can be used as a tool in English Language learning, especially from secondary school onwards.

For someone like yours truly who considers herself to be quite a good user of English Language, I found out that I still learned quite a bit from this book, especially the differences between similés, idioms and hyperboles where previously I admit I was very ignorant of them, although I have managed to use them correctly. I have also learned the different and actual contexts that these language elements can be used appropriately.  

Also, Teh has been able to write the story to reflect the multi-racial country Malaysia is, illustrating the candid and heart-warming situations many Malaysians would find often themselves in, using Eh Poh Nim and her family and friends to illustrate the everyday and colourful life they often lead, which make the book an interesting read.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy short stories written in a light and heart-warming manner. The bonus this book offers is that you get to learn the English Language in an unconventional but a very fun way, and it won't be a chore in learning the language. Last but not least, it's TWO thumbs-up yet again to Lydia Teh for writing such wonderfully entertaining book.

The Royal Wedding - HRH Prince William and Ms. Kate Middleton

Dateline April 29 2011. The day has come for the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince William and Ms. Kate Middleton, touted to be the wedding of the decade, if not the wedding of century. I am not a fan of the British Royal Family but somehow, this family does have some mystic that piqued my curiosity about them. Especially since the horrific death of Prince William's mother, the late Princess Diana on August 31 1997.

I don't think many people would forget the image of the then 15-year old Prince William and his then 13-year old brother Prince Harry walking behind the hearse carrying the late Princess Diana's coffin during the funeral procession to Westminster Abbey back in 1997. And I am quite sure that many of us, including yours truly have hoped to see both princes would grow up into great adults, which they have had, and in good time too. 

They have indeed grown up away from the extremely prying eyes of the media that was seen as the main cause for Princess Diana's untimely demise. This Royal Wedding I think is an appropriately happy note in Prince William's life. And I think the late Princess Diana would have approved his choice of marrying Ms. Kate Middleton, a commoner with the right qualities to be the consort of the future heir to the British throne.

As the relationship between Prince William and Ms. Kate Middleton was nurtured away from the prying eyes of the media while both were studying in University of St. Andrews, there would be a good chance that their life as a married couple would last. This is because that they were allowed the opportunity to live together and be able to test their relationship from various perspectives, including break-ups.

I do hope that this Royal Wedding will breathe a fresh air into the British monarchy. And that the British people would have better confidence in the monarchy as a part of the country's Constitution. It's definitely good to know that HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is the new generation of the Royal Family poised to bring positive changes to the perception of the British people. Like most people, I sincerely hope to witness a lasting married relationship between them both, a true fairy tale to the very end.