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The Mudskipper
Ten-year-old Lizhi arrives in Singapore to meet her father's family after he dies in an accident. Aunt Mona, his sister is rude and strange and does little to make her feel at home. Lizhi struggles to make sense of this new place in which her only friend is the young Indonesian maid, Bwe Bwe. Then one day she discovers a beautifully carved mudskipper in a house that is full of forgotten objects, neglected furniture and locked rooms. What other secrets will Lizhi uncover? And who is the mysterious person she sees in the garden?
- GenresChildrens
108 pages
First published April 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 21, 2013
I loved this book! From the first page to the last I was held spell-bound. Ovidia has such a wonderful knack of grabbing the reader from the start. Her first pages are a delicious prelude to the gourmet meal of the plot of this uniquely original story, which concludes with a wonderful satisfying dessert of an ending. It was shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award at the 2011 Asian Festival of Children's Content and it has been shortlisted for the National Book Development Council of Singaore's Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award. I, for one, hope she wins it. She deserves it! A definite must read!!
March 1, 2023
The whole reading experience is truly heartwarming. There were these words and lines that has depth in them, that what they say could actually mean another.
I noticed how Lizhi, for her age, seemed to be much mature. It could have been brought by the death of her father.
I am immensely annoyed with Aunt Mona! Until the end of the story, she wasn’t able to redeem herself. Shame on adults who have a backwards way of thinking like hers.
I kind of guessed the twist but it was not until the end that it all made sense.
For a children’s book, I admire how it vividly paints a scene and how it tackled familial love and parenting. TBH there were expressions and words new to me but using context clues helped - could be great to help young ones widen their vocabulary.
I noticed how Lizhi, for her age, seemed to be much mature. It could have been brought by the death of her father.
I am immensely annoyed with Aunt Mona! Until the end of the story, she wasn’t able to redeem herself. Shame on adults who have a backwards way of thinking like hers.
I kind of guessed the twist but it was not until the end that it all made sense.
For a children’s book, I admire how it vividly paints a scene and how it tackled familial love and parenting. TBH there were expressions and words new to me but using context clues helped - could be great to help young ones widen their vocabulary.
January 18, 2015
I won this book through a raffle game in one of my book club's Christmas party. I see this in book stores, and I wouldn't really buy it (I think it's a bit costly for a children's book). But I won it, and I read it, and I liked it!
The Mudskipper tells the story of Lizhi, a ten-year old African-Chinese girl who visited his deceased father's family in Singapore. This is the first time that she meets her father's family, as there is an essence of her father being disowned because he married someone who is not of their own race (Chinese). In Singapore, in her grandfather's old house, she sees a carved mudskipper and befriends an old man working in the big house's garden, where secrets are starting to unravel.
I think this is supposed to be a children's book, after all, so the reading was really light. But what I do love about most children's books is that even though the writing seems simple, its messages are purposeful.
I like Lizhi's character. I had some misgivings that Ovidia may have selected a character who is too young, but thinks very maturely. But when I do think about it, there are some "kids" who are really mature for their own "young" age!
I also read some articles that says Ovidia is fond of writing about strong female characters. The Mudskipper obviously proves this true. Lizhi, even though she's quite young, is quite a strong character already. In the story, she pretty much stood on her own.
Kids like her would go places. Haha!
It's a bit surprising, as well, to read of characters who are racists. I mean, I'm familiar of most Chinese families (especially here in the Philippines) who would prefer their children to marry only to another Chinese family. But for it to be written in a book, by a Chinese (I would presume) author (especially considering that the Chinese are supposed to be conservatives), well, it's a little... different. One of the characters really hated Lizhi's father for marrying someone who is "not like them". I found the emotions put there were very strong. Like, strong hate level.
Wala lang, kakaiba lang. Haha!
The Mudskipper tells the story of Lizhi, a ten-year old African-Chinese girl who visited his deceased father's family in Singapore. This is the first time that she meets her father's family, as there is an essence of her father being disowned because he married someone who is not of their own race (Chinese). In Singapore, in her grandfather's old house, she sees a carved mudskipper and befriends an old man working in the big house's garden, where secrets are starting to unravel.
I think this is supposed to be a children's book, after all, so the reading was really light. But what I do love about most children's books is that even though the writing seems simple, its messages are purposeful.
I like Lizhi's character. I had some misgivings that Ovidia may have selected a character who is too young, but thinks very maturely. But when I do think about it, there are some "kids" who are really mature for their own "young" age!
I also read some articles that says Ovidia is fond of writing about strong female characters. The Mudskipper obviously proves this true. Lizhi, even though she's quite young, is quite a strong character already. In the story, she pretty much stood on her own.
Kids like her would go places. Haha!
It's a bit surprising, as well, to read of characters who are racists. I mean, I'm familiar of most Chinese families (especially here in the Philippines) who would prefer their children to marry only to another Chinese family. But for it to be written in a book, by a Chinese (I would presume) author (especially considering that the Chinese are supposed to be conservatives), well, it's a little... different. One of the characters really hated Lizhi's father for marrying someone who is "not like them". I found the emotions put there were very strong. Like, strong hate level.
Wala lang, kakaiba lang. Haha!
August 19, 2021
i can't remember much of this book bc i read it yearsss ago as a child but i remember loving it a LOT 😌
February 19, 2023
Born to a Singaporean father (Michael) and a French mother (Juliette), 10-year-old Lizhi is African-Chinese and is traveling to Singapore to meet her father’s family for the first time after his sudden passing. Having opposed her parents’ marriage, Aunt Mona, her father’s sister, is openly hostile and racist to Lizhi and Juliette, who unfortunately needs to travel away for a few days to settle Michael’s affairs. Struggling to make sense of Aunt Mona’s coldness, Lizhi one day happens upon a beautifully carved mudskipper. As she wanders the house full of locked rooms and forgotten objects, and explores mangrove swamps with a kindly gardener, will she uncover the secrets of her new family?
This is a middle grade children’s book for ages 7 and up and is part of the 2011 Scholastic Asian Book Award (SABA) finalists. Although it is a children’s book, the story tackles tough topics like what it means to be different from others as a child of mixed heritage, and also racism, with Aunt Mona’s constant observation of how dark and “un-Chinese” Lizhi looks. Family, what many children would perceive as a place of belonging and warmth, became less than welcoming with Aunt Mona’s resentment.
This story also touches on grief, as Lizhi tries her best, in her own way as a young child, to deal with and process her father’s sudden demise. I also loved the fact that she had a very loving childhood with loving parents who taught her values that she could hold on to, even in the face of Aunt Mona’s animosity.
Ovidia Yu’s writing is simple yet it tells of a poignant story that packs a lot of thought-provoking messages for a young audience. For children who have not experienced what Lizhi has gone through, I think it could possibly give them an insight to a world that deviates from their norm and what it feels like to be in Lizhi’s shoes. I’m very thankful too for the message of acceptance and reconciliation at the end of the story.
Many thanks to @scholastic.asia for sending this book my way.
This is a middle grade children’s book for ages 7 and up and is part of the 2011 Scholastic Asian Book Award (SABA) finalists. Although it is a children’s book, the story tackles tough topics like what it means to be different from others as a child of mixed heritage, and also racism, with Aunt Mona’s constant observation of how dark and “un-Chinese” Lizhi looks. Family, what many children would perceive as a place of belonging and warmth, became less than welcoming with Aunt Mona’s resentment.
This story also touches on grief, as Lizhi tries her best, in her own way as a young child, to deal with and process her father’s sudden demise. I also loved the fact that she had a very loving childhood with loving parents who taught her values that she could hold on to, even in the face of Aunt Mona’s animosity.
Ovidia Yu’s writing is simple yet it tells of a poignant story that packs a lot of thought-provoking messages for a young audience. For children who have not experienced what Lizhi has gone through, I think it could possibly give them an insight to a world that deviates from their norm and what it feels like to be in Lizhi’s shoes. I’m very thankful too for the message of acceptance and reconciliation at the end of the story.
Many thanks to @scholastic.asia for sending this book my way.
July 27, 2022
Lizhi, ten-years-old and grieving the loss of her father, must spend a week in Singapore with the aunt and grandfather that never accepted her parents' marriage. Greeted by resentment and hostility from her openly racist aunt, Lizhi finds sanctuary with a kindly gardener and an exploration of the mangrove swamps around the family home.
The situation quickly escalates into a crisis as family secrets begin to come to light.
This is a very fast-paced story with great character development for Lizhi and her family, including her father who is lovingly brought to life through Lizhi's memories. The racism that Lizhi must confront adds intensity to the story. There is also some very loving treatment of Singaporean culture and cuisine which, though only seen in small glimpses, shines brightly in the pages it gets.
The villain, and there is definitely a villain in this story, is a bit of a weak point, although there is some effort at character development there, just not as much as with the rest of the cast.
The situation quickly escalates into a crisis as family secrets begin to come to light.
This is a very fast-paced story with great character development for Lizhi and her family, including her father who is lovingly brought to life through Lizhi's memories. The racism that Lizhi must confront adds intensity to the story. There is also some very loving treatment of Singaporean culture and cuisine which, though only seen in small glimpses, shines brightly in the pages it gets.
The villain, and there is definitely a villain in this story, is a bit of a weak point, although there is some effort at character development there, just not as much as with the rest of the cast.
September 13, 2022
After a while, Lizhi finally visited her deceased father’s family in Singapore. Her being a ten-year old African-Chinese girl makes it much harder for her Aunt Mona to accept. Lizhi and her mother are struggling at the new place. Given how cold the treatment towards them is, Lizhi still finds a way to be friends with a young maid, Bwe Bwe and an old man. When Lizhi discovers new secrets, she realizes that because of someone, her father’s family would have welcomed her mother to this family. Along with the secrets, she also finds out the truth about the old man.
'𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟,’
At first I thought Lizhi is way too young to understand and gives opinion but her character development in this book proves me wrong. For someone who is a ten-year old, Lizhi certainly knew what she was doing and without a doubt she managed to speak for herself. Even when Aunt Mona threw every hurtful word to her, she stood by what her mother taught her, be respectful to the elderly. It was fun seeing how she adapted to the new environment.
Everything in the house reminds her of her father, even the Mudskipper. There was a moment I felt like it was too much for a ten-year old to face by herself but Lizhi is always strong. Though the story was sweet and adventurous, sometimes it is intense when it comes to the racism that Lizhi must confront. This short story truly was interesting, exciting and it almost made me cry.
If you’re looking for a short and remarkable read, this book is it. Thank you Scholastic Asia for sending me this copy. You can get one on Shopee/Lazada with the promotion buy 2 for 30% off until the end of this September.
'𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟,’
At first I thought Lizhi is way too young to understand and gives opinion but her character development in this book proves me wrong. For someone who is a ten-year old, Lizhi certainly knew what she was doing and without a doubt she managed to speak for herself. Even when Aunt Mona threw every hurtful word to her, she stood by what her mother taught her, be respectful to the elderly. It was fun seeing how she adapted to the new environment.
Everything in the house reminds her of her father, even the Mudskipper. There was a moment I felt like it was too much for a ten-year old to face by herself but Lizhi is always strong. Though the story was sweet and adventurous, sometimes it is intense when it comes to the racism that Lizhi must confront. This short story truly was interesting, exciting and it almost made me cry.
If you’re looking for a short and remarkable read, this book is it. Thank you Scholastic Asia for sending me this copy. You can get one on Shopee/Lazada with the promotion buy 2 for 30% off until the end of this September.
March 27, 2023
The entire reading process is quite wonderful. There were some phrases and sentences with so much nuance that what they said may truly signify something else. I observed that Lizhi seemed much more mature than her age would suggest. Her father's passing might have been the cause. Aunt Mona has me in a major funk! She was unable to change until the very conclusion of the tale. Shame on grownups with outdated mindsets like hers. Although I kind of anticipated the ending, it didn't make sense until the very end. I enjoy how it depicts a moment so clearly and how it approaches parenting and family love for a children's book. Definitely a good book to pick for your children to read.
Thank you Scholastic Asia for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
Thank you Scholastic Asia for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
March 31, 2023
This was a wholesome read. It was so refreshing to see a character, Lizhi, despite her age, is so mature. I also admired how she dealt with situations. There were times where I expected her to throw a fit but she never did that. I adored how the gardener bought her out to eat a variety of Singapore’s delicacies. I greatly treasure that scene. From the interactions with the shop owners to her delight in the dishes. I appreciate how the book tackles on the subject of Lizhi being a mixed race and how she’s unique. Her father calls her his little mudskipper. “ Not a fish and not a frog but in between” She’s the in between. And she stands out in a beautiful way. This book is short and heartwarming to read.
April 11, 2023
Sensitive story touching upon many minor growing-up dilemmas & social contradictions... main protagonist maintains ( with constant effort) a delicate balance between expected politeness & her natural sense of right, between "safety first" rules, & her intrinsic spontaneity. Beautiful descriptions of Singapore & its food.
October 16, 2019
The best book I've read in years. The book was interesting and splendid
January 21, 2026
An excellent children's book that deals very well with heavy themes.
July 7, 2015
The best book I've read in years. Deceptively packaged as a junior fiction but has all the elements of a rousing good read. You made me cry in the MRT during peak hour, Ovidia! :)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews