It’s not easy being separated from your friends. Like most animals, we are social creatures. 

Near and Far takes a kid’s view of how different animals socialise and communicate. Nature is full of clever ways to maintain closeness without physical contact. 

A fun and entertaining book to inspire us to have fun, be creative, and share experiences – even if we can’t be in the same place together.

Ming Tan was born in Singapore and spent time in England, California, and New York, before returning with an Australian husband and an American son. Two Singaporean children later, they are a global focus group for her professional and creative endeavours. 

A science student turned historian; Ming Tan believes that the best stories reveal our connections to the world around us. She loves museums and monuments, heritage walks and nature trails. Over the years, she has curated exhibitions and designed travel experiences – always seeking to engage as well as inform.

Near and Far is Ming Tan’s first children’s picture book. It draws upon the same impulse to acknowledge young readers’ feelings about COVID-19, using them as the departure point for a journey of discovery about the biodiversity that surrounds us and enriches our lives.

Ali Shandi Ramadan lives in Surabaya, Indonesia. His designs and illustrations are inspired by manga, anime and his two beautiful children. Ali holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Design from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, plays football, and loves running around randomly in the yard.