Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: End of an Era (Book #3)
About the book
- Finalist for Best Marketing Campaign for the 2024 Singapore Book Awards
For 12-year-old Ash, change seems an inevitable, and sometimes unpleasant, constant. Her superpowers come and go, rumours are spreading about Team ASH’s missions, and Ah Ma’s worsening dementia affects her memory and behaviour. Thankfully, the Good Ol’ Days daycare centre in their neighbourhood offers seniors a safe environment and fun activities to keep them engaged on weekdays.
But when its future is suddenly threatened by a mysterious, rich couple with plans to turn it into a luxury spa retreat, Team ASH must quickly intervene to save Good Ol’ Days. As they reunite in the final instalment of this heartwarming trilogy for what may be their final — and most high-stakes — mission yet, they learn that change may not be easy, but that care and community can make the journey a little less lonely.
Why read this book?
• A heartfelt story that captures the emotional highs and lows of growing tweens, ageing superheroes, and new life stages.
• A well-rounded portrayal of relationships between grandparents and grand- children that invites conversations on active ageing, and the impact of dementia on both patients and their family members.
• Colourful illustrations that capture the energy and action of superhero hijinks.
• A fun Southeast Asian take on superheroes with region-specific apartments and neighbourhoods
For more resources on dementia, head to superheroahma.differenceengine.sg.
About the series
Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma is an action-packed, funny, and heartwarming comic book trilogy that celebrates family and acceptance, while introducing children to concepts of ageing and dementia. The second book in the series, Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: Coming of Age, won Best Young Persons Title at the 2023 Singapore Book Awards.
PRAISE FOR AMAZING ASH & SUPERHERO AH MA
“Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma is a fun romp that is close to the realities of a child’s everyday life.”
—Lat, creator of The Kampung Boy
“Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma is a delightful graphic novel that can be enjoyed by readers both young and not so young. The story not only entertains but educates by touching on some serious topics in a manner that is delicate and that can be grasped by a younger audience. A great book that packs a whole lot of fun, adventure, but mostly, heart. I look forward to sharing more stories about Ash and her super Ah Ma with my children.”
—Leila Boukarim, author of Hello Goodbye Little Island
“The storyline is unique and captured my attention as a reader. I like that it portrays persons with dementia (PWD) in a positive light and seeing them as more than just PWD.”
—Tan Pei Qi, Adila Yusof and Nicodemus Ching, Social Workers of AWWA Health and Senior Care
“Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: End of an Era masterfully transforms the superhero narrative into a light-hearted yet poignant journey through intergenerational bonds. I love that at the heart of this colourful caper is a touching exploration of ageing, loss, and all the challenges the superpowered Annie and her granddaughter have to overcome to save what matters to them most.”
—Gene Tan, Chief Librarian, National Library Board
“Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma is best enjoyed as a trilogy. Dive into the adventures of this dynamic duo! The creators have built a wonderful universe, and the focus on dementia is a core part of the narrative. As a comics creator myself, it’s a secret hope of mine that one day I will get to see crossovers amongst the different universes! One day…”
—Johnny Lau, Creator, Mr. Kiasu series
Melanie Lee
Writer
MELANIE LEE is the author of the award-winning comic series Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma, the picture book series The Adventures of Squirky the Alien, and the illustrated travel guide series Out & About in Singapore. She has also published Imaginary Friends: 26 Whimsical Fables for Getting on in a Crazy World, a collection of illustrated short stories, together with Arif Rafhan. Besides writing books, Melanie is Associate Faculty at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, where she develops and teaches media writing courses.
Arif Rafhan
Illustrator
ARIF RAFHAN is a comics artist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His work has appeared in more than 40 publications in Malaysia, Singapore, and the US. He has contributed to Malaysia’s longest-running humour magazine Gila-Gila and has been working with Dato Lat on the latter’s latest graphic novel Mat Som 2. Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: End of an Era is Arif’s fifth collaboration with writer Melanie Lee.
