SINGAPORE - This little pig... er, we mean book, has garnered some international attention.
This after a page was posted on humour website 9Gag. Since then, it's gone viral with shares on Facebook and other social media sites.
The Three Little Pigs Lah's author is local designer Casey Chen, 42. He says: "I thought a fiction book using Singlish would be interesting because most books on the topic are non-fiction ones.
"I've also loved the tale of the Three Little Pigs since I was a child.
"I am born in the Year of the Pig, and can 'relate' better to the characters."
He wrote the 24- page book in two months at the beginning of this year, while recovering from donating a kidney to his elder brother.
Although the book is based on a children's fairy tale, he admits it is "not very suitable for children" due to its use of graphic language and Singlish.
He says his own Singlish is "not very good", and he had to do a lot of research online to write the book.
"I exaggerated its use to show how funny Singlish can be. If the characters spoke naturally, there'd be no 'oomph'.
He jokes: "Initially, I wanted to use even more phrases. But some were vulgarities and others didn't fit in with the story."
So far, he says, reaction to the book has been "mostly positive".
For example, Nominated Member of Parliament Janice Koh bought 30 copies, which she gave to friends and colleagues.
She says: "They make great gifts, especially with Christmas round the corner.
"I've found that foreigners who are familiar with Singlish find it particularly charming."
"I think the book encourages us to laugh at ourselves as Singaporeans and to celebrate the quirks that make our culture so distinct and recognisable, Singlish being one of them."
Mr Chen lives with his wife, son, eight, and daughter, one, in a three-room flat in Tiong Bahru.
In the book's introduction, Mr Chen wrote: "For my children... don't let me hear you speak Singlish."
But he clarifies that it is a joke. He says: "I allow my children to read the book. When they grow up, they can speak whatever they want to."
Several Singaporeans have also e-mailed him, saying they enjoyed its use of humour. People from as far as Europe and the US have also ordered copies.
But Mr Chen has also seen online posts by detractors criticising the book.
"They say only stupid people speak Singlish and even criticise the publisher for 'promoting' Singlish," he says.
"But I'm quite neutral about this topic. Although my book seems to promote Singlish, it also pokes fun at Singlish."
He is happy with the discussion it has sparked off.
He says: "I think Singlish will always be controversial. Some people love it, others hate it.
"But I have no agenda. I just want people to have a good laugh."
The book, launched on Sept 27, has sold over 500 of its 5,000 copies.
It is selling at $16 at novelty shops like Supermama at the Singapore Art Museum @ 8Q and Shinnpark at The Central.
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