What This Book Is About
Danger Dan and Gadget Girl, the comic-book pair, take readers behind the scenes at Changi. It is a place nearly every family in Singapore passes through several times a year, and almost nobody has seen the parts of it this book goes to.
It explains the taxiways, the runways and the apron (which have nothing to do with taxis, running or cooking), how baggage is screened, what Jewel is, and why food tastes blander on a plane. Lesley-Anne Tan and her mother Monica Lim wrote it, Elvin Ching illustrated it, and it is part of the Secrets of Singapore series from Epigram Books.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
As an international school in Singapore, UWC values books that connect students to the place they live. Many UWC families pass through Changi Airport multiple times a year, yet few children (or adults) know the extraordinary engineering, history, and logistics that make it work. This book transforms a routine experience into a learning opportunity, encouraging the kind of curiosity about the everyday world that UWC's inquiry-based curriculum is built on.
The non-fiction format is equally important. International school curricula require students to read and analyse informational texts from an early age, and this book makes that practice feel like fun rather than homework. The comic-book storytelling style, combined with real facts and local context, builds both reading comprehension and a sense of pride in Singapore's achievements—something especially meaningful for students who call this city home, even temporarily.
Reading Level Guide
Building reading foundations? Start with picture books and simple labeled stories.
Perfect difficulty. Engaging for early independent readers. The comic format and familiar setting make every page accessible.
An easy, comfortable read. Good for building speed and learning fun facts about Singapore.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.