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Nenek Tata and the Mangrove Menace
Nenek Tata and the Mangrove Menace
Judith Vun Price and Jacqui Vun
Children given unique taste of Asia in brilliant new book
"A wholesome, fun story, enhanced by exquisitely lush illustrations" — One of 40+ reviewers on NetGalley
"A wholesome, fun story, enhanced by exquisitely lush illustrations" — One of 40+ reviewers on NetGalley
Nenek Tata is preparing for a normal day, gathering water, feeding her animals and checking the crab traps in the mangrove swamp before the first storm of the monsoon arrives.
But it turns out to be a not-so-normal day, for when she gets inside the gloomy jungles of the swamp, she is confronted by a huge, dripping, brown monster. And, when the monster follows her, she is forced to defend her home to the last…
Set in Malaysia's eastern-most state of Sabah, on the northern tip of Borneo, this charming little tale with beautiful evocative artwork is typical of stories told to young children, often by grandparents, to entertain them and to keep them safe from the dangers of the swamps and jungles.
About the Authors/Illustrators
About the Authors/Illustrators
Judith Vun Price & Jacqui Vun
Authors and Illustrators Judith Vun Price and Jacqui Vun are sisters who emigrated as children from Sabah to Western Australia in 1974. They have both forged careers as artists, designers and artisans whose love of visual storytelling is clearly evident in how they collaborate to produce exceptional work that honours the culture of their birthplace.
Previous Works:
Judith Vun Price: Author and illustrator of Koo Kaa & Burra: The Rescue
Judith Vun Price: Illustrator of Hans Christian Andersen's It's Quite True!
Cultural Authenticity: Their work brings genuine Malaysian/Sabahan perspectives to children's literature, based on their childhood experiences in northern Borneo.
Book Details/Metadata
Book Details/Metadata
Publication Information:
ISBN: 978-0-9954086-8-5
Release Date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Crotchet Quaver
Format: Hardback, Casebound
Dimensions: 222mm × 222mm (Square format)
Retail Price: $33.95 AUD
Cover Finish: Matte laminate
Content Specifications:
Illustrations: 35 full-colour illustrations throughout
Print Quality: High impact white media
Art Style: Crisp and lively art revealing lush tropical vegetation
Language: English
Target Age: Children (Primary school age)
Subject/Themes:
Children's Picture Books
Cultural Heritage
Environmental Awareness
Malaysian/Southeast Asian Culture
Adventure and Suspense for Children
Intergenerational Storytelling
Distribution:
Crotchet Quaver noteworthy publications
(usual trade discounts apply)
"A clap of thunder cracked overhead. Unable to fight the urge to look beyond her, Nenek Tata turned her head …"
"A clap of thunder cracked overhead. Unable to fight the urge to look beyond her, Nenek Tata turned her head …"
Professional Reviews & Testimonials
Professional Reviews & Testimonials
NetGalley Reviewer Quote
NetGalley Reviewer Quote
"A wholesome, fun story, enhanced by exquisitely lush illustrations" — One of more than 40 reviewers
Victoria Weaver, Reviewer:
"Throughout the story we do get a nice peak into this part of the world. We see day to day customs, encounter unfamiliar words, and meet the animals of the farm. For children who like a little scare and suspense they will love this book!"
Hannah Crull-Sher, Reviewer:
"I love the illustrations in this story, as well as the view of Nenek Tata's daily life. In it, while performing her daily chores, Nenek Tata comes upon a terrifying monster … I'm excited to read this to my class when I can buy a physical copy. It's the sort of story they love."
Review Statistics
40+ online reviews with mostly 4-5 star ratings
NetGalley featured: 13,900 Australian and New Zealand members invited to review
Educator enthusiasm: Teachers specifically requesting physical copies for classroom use
Educational Value & Cultural Significance
Educational Value & Cultural Significance
Cross-Cultural Learning
Authentic Malaysian setting: Real insight into Sabah culture and daily life
Environmental education: Mangrove ecosystems and tropical wildlife
Cultural customs: Traditional ways of life and intergenerational wisdom
Adventure elements: Perfect balance of excitement and educational content
Classroom Appeal
Teacher testimonials: Educators specifically requesting copies for classroom use
Age-appropriate suspense: "Just a little bit of spookiness" that children enjoy
Visual learning: 35 detailed illustrations support comprehension
Cultural awareness: Ideal for Asia-Pacific curriculum connections
Pedagogical Package
Comprehensive teaching resources available
Suitable for primary school classrooms
Cross-curricular applications possible
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