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When I Was a Kid 5
In a time of turmoil and tuberculosis, threatened by war, two very different lives are united by love.
This book explores the lives of Gor Ko (played by my dad) and Ah Pui (played by my mom) as they overcome great challenges and difficulties to finally come together to form the greatest underrated comic book artist ever (me), just so I can tell their stories.
This book explores the lives of Gor Ko (played by my dad) and Ah Pui (played by my mom) as they overcome great challenges and difficulties to finally come together to form the greatest underrated comic book artist ever (me), just so I can tell their stories.
220 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2018
9 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Boey
7 books91 followersboey is a malaysian animator/artist/author and a TED award recipient best known for his art on foam cups.
he has written 5 books, and they are pretty good, he thinks.
website: www.instagram.com/iamboey
http://www.youtube.com/user/rectangle...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheeming...
he has written 5 books, and they are pretty good, he thinks.
website: www.instagram.com/iamboey
http://www.youtube.com/user/rectangle...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheeming...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 16, 2023
I really do like biography of parents in comic format huh
February 25, 2019
The best in the series so far. i like how he focused on the parents.
April 7, 2019
When I was a kid 5 is a graphic novel of the author's parents. The uniqueness of the book is in its content which is divided into 2 parts:mom's point of view and dad's point of view. Stories of wartime are always melancholic. During difficult time, we learn to appreciate almost anything especially family members.
June 4, 2019
Absolutely hilarious, I find a lot of similarities with my own parents.
February 6, 2019
Ini kali Boey menemuduga ayah dan ibunya tentang zaman kanak-kanak mereka. Banyak kenangan menarik yang dikongsikan. Imbauan memori lama...
February 21, 2019
Packed of stories compared to the previous 4 books. I think it's the best among the 5.
May 18, 2019
Loved it! Ending was good..
December 27, 2018
This has got to be the best book from Boey. It takes you down some interesting memory lanes; filled with real life events from both Boey’s parents when they were kids that were endearing and adorable. Upon reading this from cover to cover, I couldn’t help but to feel proud of how ‘When I Was Kid’ series has grown. This piece is a gem, truly.
March 9, 2019
I love this so much. It still keeps the light hearted ness of the previous books, but it's focused on his parents' lives. It's a very realistic and bittersweet story. Had me crying at some parts.
The dad's story contains a number of very heartbreaking shorts. I don't know how Boey managed it, a heartbreaking short story in just one page.
The mom's story is so friggin adorable. And until the moment where it reached how she met the dad, that scene was damn powerful.
But it didn't answer why the mom chose the dad, i hope there's a continuation for this xD
I think it's the way the author writes, it's genuine, there's no fancy or twisty words to form long sentences. There's alot of heart.
And that heart resonates with the readers.
Book 5 is the best in the series.
The dad's story contains a number of very heartbreaking shorts. I don't know how Boey managed it, a heartbreaking short story in just one page.
The mom's story is so friggin adorable. And until the moment where it reached how she met the dad, that scene was damn powerful.
But it didn't answer why the mom chose the dad, i hope there's a continuation for this xD
I think it's the way the author writes, it's genuine, there's no fancy or twisty words to form long sentences. There's alot of heart.
And that heart resonates with the readers.
Book 5 is the best in the series.
June 5, 2020
A collection of stories about his (Boey the author) dad and mom living in the time of turmoil and tuberculosis, threathened by war before the declaration of Malaysia independance.
Who would think or care to listen the stories of our parents's past when we are bored with the history subject itself. It was an effort and hardwork with curiosity to make this storybook happened. Those stories of our parents and experiences of the people who had gone before us are of gold and will teach us a lot of advice, help us to be appreciative of life.
Who would think or care to listen the stories of our parents's past when we are bored with the history subject itself. It was an effort and hardwork with curiosity to make this storybook happened. Those stories of our parents and experiences of the people who had gone before us are of gold and will teach us a lot of advice, help us to be appreciative of life.
March 13, 2019
I laughed so much. Reminds me of my grandparents and parents' eras. The book is divided into two parts. One reflecting the author's father's childhood and the other half (starting from the back, upside down) reflects his mother's childhood.
I found the mother's half more hilarious. Unfortunately because of the way the book is designed, I read the mother's half first so the father's half was less hilarious.
I found the mother's half more hilarious. Unfortunately because of the way the book is designed, I read the mother's half first so the father's half was less hilarious.
January 4, 2019
Enjoy Boey's book so so much as he managed to bring me into the memory lane of his parents, even though I am not one who lived through and understood that era. You feel all the emotions, really deeply. I had great laugh but also some of the chapters brought tears (Maybe it was just me being emotional).
Yes. It is THAT good.
Yes. It is THAT good.
January 22, 2019
If you or your parents or your grandparents or your great grandparents were born in a time of war, you'd appreciate these stories you never get to hear from them.
One simple book. Two intertwined childhood stories. Massive emotional rollercoaster ride. I laughed and cried at the same time like a mad woman.
One simple book. Two intertwined childhood stories. Massive emotional rollercoaster ride. I laughed and cried at the same time like a mad woman.
December 27, 2018
Boey's latest release comes in a new, well-thought format. The story-telling is familiar, but also refreshing.
It is the history book Malaysians never had that encourages every reader to appreciate family, and be mindful of our heritage.
It is the history book Malaysians never had that encourages every reader to appreciate family, and be mindful of our heritage.
April 24, 2019
A great read for what I intended it to be. A book to read when I did number 2 in the bathroom XD!!
Easy to read with illustrations accompanying every page, reminds me of how my grandparents used to live.
Easy to read with illustrations accompanying every page, reminds me of how my grandparents used to live.
February 20, 2021
I'm a fan of Boey's comics because of how hilarious his comics are due to his wild imagination and brutally honest retelling of his childhood as a Malaysian kid. I read this book because it's soon to be loaned to a friend, and I haven't read it yet.
I was surprised to discover another layer of stories about Boey's life in the form of his parents' histories. They come from different backgrounds and both were born in different cities but fate brought them together as neighbours in Kelantan. The comic wasn't about their courtship but about his parents' original birth families, how they grew up and the stories around their childhood. These stories are not as funny as Boey's childhood stories because they're of a different nature but they carried deeper layers of meaning and morals. They portray the importance of family relationships, the ups and downs of life in Malaya and the hard work & perseverance of first and second generation Malaysian-Chinese families in setting up families and livelihoods in a foreign land. I was touched, inspired and cheered up by the stories Boey highlighted in the book. If you're interested in the lifestyle of families and children during the 1940s-60s you should pick up this book.
Just to share, I follow Boey's Instagram and I'm surprised to see how his comics about the present day continue to be fresh, inspiring, and creatively funny. He comes across as a kind, empathetic and nostalgic person and I like that about him. I support him on Patreon as he is one of the artists that brought joy to my life.
I was surprised to discover another layer of stories about Boey's life in the form of his parents' histories. They come from different backgrounds and both were born in different cities but fate brought them together as neighbours in Kelantan. The comic wasn't about their courtship but about his parents' original birth families, how they grew up and the stories around their childhood. These stories are not as funny as Boey's childhood stories because they're of a different nature but they carried deeper layers of meaning and morals. They portray the importance of family relationships, the ups and downs of life in Malaya and the hard work & perseverance of first and second generation Malaysian-Chinese families in setting up families and livelihoods in a foreign land. I was touched, inspired and cheered up by the stories Boey highlighted in the book. If you're interested in the lifestyle of families and children during the 1940s-60s you should pick up this book.
Just to share, I follow Boey's Instagram and I'm surprised to see how his comics about the present day continue to be fresh, inspiring, and creatively funny. He comes across as a kind, empathetic and nostalgic person and I like that about him. I support him on Patreon as he is one of the artists that brought joy to my life.
November 6, 2021
4.5 stars. Loved the format, and the way in which the stories of his mum and dad finally met, quite literally. The stories are as laugh-out-loud hilarious as the previous books, but in such a raw, easy way that a lot of thought probably went into it. This was great!
December 27, 2018
Best book ever! It really makes you think about how fortunate you are and you will wonder about your own parents' childhood. The stories related to San Por really got to me.
December 27, 2018
BEST BOOK EVERRR!!!
March 11, 2019
Aaaaaaa so many emotions..I love this book..Thank you to you parents for sharing their story.
March 17, 2019
good read, good concept, good layout, love it.
March 21, 2019
‘Eyerrr’ is now my fave word.
June 1, 2019
Enjoyable as always. Great fan of When I was a kid since his first book.
June 21, 2019
Still a better love story than Twilight <3
October 23, 2019
What an amazing journey finding out how his parents came together. Certainly would want to document more the stories from my parents.
December 26, 2019
Always an interesting light readings ; whenever wherever. Good job Boey.
March 2, 2021
This book is hilarious! The author tells his childhood using very cute drawing and using slang from his hometown. Nice story to read
July 16, 2025
Antara siri komik kegemaran. Kali ini macam banyak cerita yang dark dan sedih.
July 28, 2025
FUNNY AND SO NICOIEIE
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews