★ A brand-new creation by renowned Singaporean children’s book columnist and educator Xu Haina, this parent-child picture book series is beloved by both parents and children for supporting children’s mental health growth.
★ Adults have things they want to say, and children have things they want to express too. Children’s picture books can serve as a “bridge,” enabling kids and adults to understand each other and achieve emotional connection. This series establishes that “bridge” by depicting common issues in children’s daily lives, providing “psychological nourishment” beneficial for their growth. These books help children realize that their feelings and thoughts can be “understood,” “accepted,” and “respected.” They also allow accompanying adults to unlock long-sealed childhood memories, look back on their own early years, and better understand children.
★ “Why Don’t They Listen to Me?” won third place in the Chinese category of the 2022 “Popular Bookstore Readers’ Choice Book Awards.”

The series consists of 8 books:
I Want You All to Disappear
My Sister Is Not a Mermaid
Mom Says, Hurry Up
Why Don’t They Listen to Me?
The Most Amazing Super Dad”
A Day in the Upside-Down Kingdom
Jiale Has Emigrated
The Day the Mobile Phone Disappeared

As adults, we often forget what childhood was like. But when I spend time with children, especially during heart-to-heart conversations, I recall my own childhood and realize how different children’s perspectives are from those of adults. Sometimes, if adults don’t view things from a child’s perspective, children may not feel truly heard or understood. Stories can serve as a bridge for mutual understanding. At the same time, I want to reassure young readers that no matter what happens, they don’t need to worry too much—there will always be someone who understands them. The characters in the stories will understand, and so will their parents and all those who love them.

Individual Book Synopses:

“I Want You All to Disappear”
“I Want You All to Disappear” tells the story of a child’s journey from annoyance to mounting anger. At the peak of their emotions, they even wish everyone in the world would disappear. But when their wish comes true, they cry so hard that the earth shakes, snow falls from the sky, rivers overflow, and the sea can’t contain their tears. What happens next? Young readers are left to discover the answer themselves. This book gently guides children to recognize their emotional changes, helping them uncover their deepest, truest needs and thereby build psychological resilience. Accompanying adults can also benefit, as the story reminds them to pay attention to children’s emotional responses and mental well-being, rather than focusing solely on specific expectations.

“My Sister Is Not a Mermaid”
“My Sister Is Not a Mermaid” explores a child’s emotional journey upon welcoming a new family member. The parents in the book understand how to distribute love “as needed,” helping an initially unhappy child learn how to “receive love” and “give love.” In families with more than one child, parents often face the soul-searching question: “Who do you love the most?” If parents show obvious favoritism toward younger siblings, it can cause lasting, unspoken pain for the eldest. To prevent such hurt, parents need to attend to the eldest child’s emotions and distribute love “as needed.” Only when the eldest feels sufficiently loved and valued can they learn to give love in return.

“Mom Says, Hurry Up”
“Mom Says, Hurry Up” depicts a day in a child’s life. On the surface, the story is told from the child’s perspective, but it also reflects the efforts of adults. In daily life, adult and child perspectives often differ, but that doesn’t mean mutual understanding is impossible. This book attempts to merge these two viewpoints, hoping to achieve a state of emotional connection between children and adults through storytelling. Although the mother repeatedly says, “Hurry up, hurry up,” the young protagonist tells her at the end, “You must be very tired, too.” This mutual empathy and understanding between adult and child is the spiritual strength that brings warmth and sustained motivation to our busy and demanding lives.

“Why Don’t They Listen to Me?”
“Why Don’t They Listen to Me?” is a story entirely inspired by real life. Many parents encourage their children to play freely with others. However, every child has a unique personality, and not everyone gets along easily. Some children naturally enjoy taking charge, leading others like a “child king.” While there are joyful moments in group play, there are also times when disagreements arise. Children organizing and playing together is a beautiful experience, offering each child the opportunity to develop social skills. This story provides gentle guidance for children navigating their earliest social experiences, helping them grasp basic principles of interaction and understand the essence of relationships.

“The Most Amazing Super Dad”
Some fathers excel at educating their children, while others may struggle to express themselves, making their “goodness” harder to notice. As young readers explore this story, they are encouraged to reflect on their own fathers’ strengths and the care and encouragement they’ve received. The father in this story may not have a special profession or fulfill every wish, but the child discovers that his father’s unique care and encouragement instill a magical strength within him. That’s why he believes his dad is the most amazing father in the world.

“A Day in the Upside-Down Kingdom”
Why must the world be exactly as we see it? What if things were turned upside down? If children’s worlds were reversed one day, what would happen? The protagonist, Lele, finds himself in the “Upside-Down Kingdom,” where he becomes the one who sets exam questions. If you were Lele, what kind of exam would you create? Did Lele truly visit the “Upside-Down Kingdom”? Young readers, use your boundless imagination to continue the story!

“Jiale Has Emigrated”
What happens when a classmate emigrates and moves away—especially a close friend? Will you lose that friend forever? Almost every child has this worry. But everyone’s life journey is different, and good friends don’t have to be together every day. There are many ways to maintain friendships; even across great distances, if both sides wish to remain friends, it’s entirely possible.

“The Day the Mobile Phone Disappeared”
Our lives have become inseparable from mobile phones. However, excessive phone use can reduce the time we spend with family and friends, cause us to miss out on life’s many joys, and even strain relationships. This story aims to inspire children to reflect: If phones disappeared one day, how would our lives change? How can we use phones in a way that enhances our lives?

Xu Haina,

Columnist, children’s mentor, children’s book creator, and former television media professional.
Xu Haina is a contracted writer for Hong Kong’s BROADLEARNING education organization. She has published 30 interactive e-books for children on the eClass platform, used by over 800 primary schools, secondary schools, kindergartens, and educational institutions in Hong Kong. She has also worked as a special correspondent and long-term contributor for various magazines and newspapers. In 2017, she relocated to Singapore, where she engages in special needs education, children’s book creation, and painting. She currently serves as a columnist for the Chinese website of the Financial Times.