She never set out to be a writer, but we sure cannot get enough of Ames Chen's very meaningful series, 'The Invisible People', which delves into the lives of unsung heroes in society. She shares more on her writing journey.
Currently the author of 10 children’s books, would you believe Ames Chen never imagined she’d become a writer? Her journey began as a Humanities teacher before she left the classroom to teach English voluntarily in parts of China and Southeast Asia. Her passion for education remained steadfast, even as she transitioned to part-time leadership and communications training after becoming a mother to three children lovingly nicknamed Humblet, Singlet and Omelette.
Ames believes deeply in the power of the next generation to drive meaningful change, which is why her stories focus on marginalised individuals and communities. Her debut series, The Invisible People, spotlights the unsung heroes who keep the city running — domestic helpers, migrant workers, bus drivers, and more. By exploring their inner lives, she brings attention to individuals society often overlooks, ensuring that young readers and their families see and value their contributions.
Beyond The Invisible People, Ames has written Short of Nothing, the first of the One of Us Series, which delves into the story of a schoolboy with dwarfism that fosters empathy and Joy, which delves into mental health struggles among peers. Her commitment to telling stories that shed light on overlooked voices has earned her widespread admiration.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Ames to learn more about her writing and parenting journey. Her stories and these insights definitely made us reflect deeper on how we can appreciate and foster deeper connections with our unsung heroes on a daily basis.
A chat with Ames Chen, author of the Invisible People Series
What inspired you to write, given your background in teaching?
Ames: As I tell my readers, I’m an accidental author. For my Master’s in Intercultural Studies, my team and I were made to go into the streets and interview workers others might usually ignore. We collected stories of road sweepers, garbage collectors, hawker centre cleaners, and so on. As part of our presentation, we proposed writing books for children to highlight these “Invisible Workers”, so the series was born out of that.
In the months and years after “The Invisible People” series was published, I thought that would be the end of this author’s journey. But parents, teachers and children themselves came forward. “Can you hear the story of my child who suffered from cancer at six years old? Can you tell the story of my student who has cerebral palsy? Could you write a book about children with ADHD?”
Since the stories kept coming, I felt compelled to keep writing and researching. It is humbling to have the privilege to listen and be allowed into such private areas of people’s lives, to be a keeper of the stories in their hearts.
Has being a parent shaped your writing and passion for education?
Ames: Thankfully for me, the tracks of education and parenting run parallel. Telling stories, learning together, and growing daily are all aspects that contribute to being an author and a mother.
Rather than viewing the many aspects of motherhood as a balancing act, one could instead consider convergence, how the different parts can be combined to achieve the same goals. For example, as a parent, I would like to raise children who value the ‘invisible people’ in society, and as an author, I need to collect their stories. My children often accompany me on these interviews to work sites, back alleys, MRT stations, and so on. Rather than ‘teach’, we (my children and I) learn so much together from these amazing people that drives us to want to show the world why they should be loved and honoured.
Does your teaching background influence the themes you explore in your children’s books?
Ames: Instead of my teaching background, my students influence the themes. They criticise my drafts without sugar-coating their feedback. They tell me which parts are plain boring, which words they struggle to understand and which aspects tug at their heartstrings.
More specifically, the themes are aligned with the values I hold dear, perhaps sharpened over the years of being a parent. To love generously, to live simply, to give so others may live. At the end of every title, I share the intent of every story I’ve written: “I believe in the ability of the next generation to exact change.”
Though it must be said, my harshest critics are also my greatest supporters. I will not be where I am without my students.
What was the most surprising or eye-opening moment when interviewing unsung heroes like domestic workers and migrant workers?
Ames: Misunderstandings. Every. Single. Interview. They would share a misunderstanding of sorts. A cleaner who got scolded for using the wrong tablecloth. A construction worker getting threatened for something he did not do. A domestic worker is being maligned for a crime she did not commit, and the list goes on.
It reinforces the need for these stories to be told. For understanding to take place, communication needs to happen. If only we are willing to stop to listen. Telling a story might be a small way of doing that for each other.
The stories in the series are based on real-life events and interviews. How do you simplify these complex issues for a young audience without losing their significance?
This is probably the hardest bit of the entire process. The interviews are often so rich – people’s lives and stories. The emotions and complexities in every situation gives me so much to digest. The real test comes in the funnel process. Short-listing anecdotes I think will sit best with students, those that they will understand. Only then does the storyboarding bit come into play.
But it’s not easy. Retrenchment (in The Bus Driver) was too difficult for target readers to grasp. Likewise, Aunty Lin’s paralysis (in The Night Shift) was overlooked because of its placement (too far back in the story). And so, I try and try again. I am grateful for every reader who gives these books a chance.
How have children and parents reacted to The Invisible People series?
Ames: The impact of Uncles at Work has been the most obvious, from umbrella drives to cold drink stands. From fundraising campaigns to children dressing up as their beloved “Uncles”. Every parent who intentionally chooses to be a catalyst and support their children encourages me to keep the writing going. No project and no friendly smile is too small an act of kindness in our books. Every child and parent counts in the shift of the societal narrative to make the invisible people visible.
I remember one particular luncheon I was invited to at a church. I was so moved when employers lined up to serve their domestic workers and friends; it was a wonderful spread. Children gave out desserts and cutlery and led games for their beloved aunties. My only task was to read “Aunty Goes Home” aloud. What a wonderful time we had!
That being said, we’ve had our fair share of criticism. Ah Gong’s Uniform raised more than a few eyebrows, and people gave feedback that the gender combination was “disturbing” or “unlikely”. Uncles at Work also had some concerns raised because it seemed to encourage children to explore ‘dangerous’ places, i.e. construction sites.
What’s your advice to other parents who would like to teach their children empathy and awareness of social issues early on?
Ames: Oh dear. How could I possibly advise another parent when I’m on this journey of learning myself, and I fall short in so many ways? Perhaps I can share some habits we’ve formed as a family instead.
We do things as a family. Whether it’s sports, interests, reading or other things… We do them together at set times.
Likewise, when we serve refugees, run English camps overseas or do Christmas programmes in slum areas, we do it all together.
After a few years, the children then initiate their own projects. One wants to write a story to share about refugees with other children over Christmas. Another wants to bring Solar Lights into the rural areas of Bangladesh and so on. They express their desire, and we do this as a family.
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey as an author?
Ames: Since I never set out to be an author, I don’t pursue these stories actively either. My promise to my children is that I will keep writing as long as people are willing to entrust me with their stories.
They motivate me to write. Their resilience, their pursuit of excellence despite their conditions (physical or otherwise), and their desire for change. I write not for myself; I write for them. Their stories need to be told, for the journey of love and respect can begin in gaining an understanding of someone else.
Many thanks for sharing, Ames. We are especially heartened to learn about the issues migrant workers, domestic workers, and more unsung heroes face. You can find The Invisible People series here!
