Traditional children's tales launched in English

Traditional children's tales launched in English

Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories

Joan Suynaga, transl.; Salim Martowiredjo, illus.

Periplus Editions, November 2005

65 pp. (hardcover)

Periplus Indonesia, in cooperation with the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) launched last Sunday a children's book,
Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, an anthology of
traditional Indonesian stories.

The launch at the Grand Hyatt was officiated by State Minister
of Communications and Information Sofyan A. Djalil, as well as
UNICEF Ambassador Ferry Salim. The event also included a story-
telling session by Putri Suhendro, a performance by students of
Global Jaya and a special appearance by Miss Indonesia 2005
Nadine Chandrawinata.

The 65-page book consists of eight popular stories, including
Kancil Steals Cucumbers, The Magic Headcloth, The Frog, The
Caterpillar Story and Timun Mas.

The stories are retold for an international audience by Joan
Suyenaga, a writer, translator and editor based in Yogyakarta.

The stories offer a taste of how the universal values of
courage, cleverness, true love, kindness and loyalty are
transmitted to children.

Full-color illustrations of Indonesian rural life by artist
Salim Martowiredjo, who has won a number of prizes and awards for
his work, accompany the stories.

Periplus in cooperation with UNICEF will donate a portion of
proceeds generated from book sales toward developing the welfare
of mothers and children in Indonesia. -- The Jakarta Post