A Fragile Thing Called Man

Category: Visual Art

Leong Yoke Mee

“I Belong to the Forest” is a picture book that tells a story about a sun bear’s cub who was taken from its mother and sold as a pet at the illegal market. The cub, later, underwent rehabilitation and returned to the wild. The setting of this story took place at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sepilok, Sandakan, Sabah. Ammi Leong Yoke Mee was inspired to write the book during her visit to BSBCC. Her illustration was drawn from observing the bear’s activities in the conservation centre.

Leong Yoke Mee believes in the power of pictures and illustration. She hoped her artwork would bring amazement, respect, and appreciation for the life of the sun bear in society. Amongst her illustrated picturebooks that have been selected in the 2021 IBBY Malaysia Honor list are “Anak Murid yang Memakai Kain Cawat”, “I Belong to the Forest”, and “A Seahorse Story”. Other picture books of hers are “A friend of dusky langur” and “The Green Map of Penang’s Street Trees”. These picture books also highlight wildlife and sea creatures.