The Year of the Tiger

In 1950 Malaya, also the Year of the Tiger based on the Chinese zodiac calendar, a baby girl was born. In the Tan household, superstitions prevail as the grandmother, Ah Ma believed that the baby girl was subjected to the 'tiger curse' and will only bring misfortune and bad luck. The baby girl must be given up for adoption.

Che' Tah and Wahab, their neighbor who already had two children, opened their hearts and modest home to the baby, naming her Zaiton. Raised amidst the warmth of Wahab's household, and next door to her biological family, Zaiton blossomed into a spirited and independent young soul. Despite the challenges of childhood, and the occasional whispers and taunts that made her doubt her roots, Zaiton navigated them with courage, strengthened by the support and love of her siblings, whether related by blood or chosen. After all, family is love.

Through Zaiton's journey, The Year of the Tiger celebrates the power of love and family, offering a heartwarming tale inspired by the author's mother. Unlike conventional adoption narratives marked by feelings of displacement and unbelonging, Zaiton's story is one of gratitude and abundance, showcasing the richness of having not one, but two families who cherish her deeply.

Maria Mahat is an author, educator, storyteller, award-winning television producer, and co-founder of Ungu Pen, an independent publisher. She holds a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education and an Advanced Certificate in Assessment and Training, and has also contributed to policymaking and educational research. A passionate advocate for well-represented literature, she has authored and produced over thirty children's picture books, middle-grade novels, novellas, short stories, and a best-selling novel, Maybe This is Love.

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