Weekend picks

Published on January 11, 2008

National Children's Day is tomorrow, and to help the next generation celebrate the occasion creatively, BTK presents a colourful range of attractive educational books for kids. Sukanya Suttawatchaiyapong, 48, a graduate Chulalongkorn University's law faculty, fell in love with some innovative educational toys created by a Filipino designer at a Hong Kong trade fair several years ago. On her return to Bangkok, Sukanya dug up information on early childhood development in various libraries and five years ago set up her own company, BTK, to produce a unique collection of handmade educational books at reasonable prices.

The products are mostly made of soft fabrics. They feature cute graphic designs, featuring animals, cartoon people, fruits and other items that help children learn simple vocabulary as well as the alphabet in both Thai and English. The books come in vibrant colours including orange, red, green, pink, yellow, purple, blue and white.

"The educational books I saw at the Hong Kong fair were great but they were much too expensive for the Thai market," Sukanya explains. "That's why I decided to create my own range and sell them at affordable prices. I really want my books to help create close relationships between children and their parents."

The books are targeted at children between the ages of four months to seven years. Sukanya has so far launched 10 collections including "ABC Sense", "The Farm", "Activities Book", "My Family", "House of Alphabet", "Counting Chicks", "Panda", "Kor Kai, Sa-Ra" (Thai vowels) and "Supermarket". Prices range from Bt190 to Bt480.

"Parents should begin to educate their children from the age of four months when development milestones like the five senses and muscle coordination kick in," she explains.

Sukanya sells her products at fairs in Asok, Silom and Bang Na, holds free workshops and also produces educational books for the brand Baby Mild.  

The Farm

With fun cartoons depicting all the animals on a farm, children can learn how they live and how they benefit people (Bt430).

My Family

A magnetic book to teach your children about family relationships, role-playing and various colours through fun cartoons (Bt190).

Activities Book

This colourful book helps the little ones form their own daily routines by themselves. Kids can enjoy buttoning up their shirts, tying bows and tightening a belt, which help develop coordination (Bt370).

ABC Senses

Stir sensations with these attractive cartoons to help kids strengthen their visual, audio and tactile skills as well as learn English (Bt370).

House of Alphabet

This orange cloth book contains all 26 letters of the English alphabet along with many pictures useful for learning simple vocabulary (Bt370).

Kor Kai

Teach your kids Thai with this white and blue cloth book featuring all 44 characters in the Thai alphabet and pictures that can help children to remember fast. Bt480.

Counting Chicks

Simple arithmetic is made easy with this cloth book with an embroidered chicken design and numbers. It comes in bright blue and green and costs Bt370. Ideal for three- to seven-year olds.

Pattarawadee Saengmanee