Picture book display at Silverfish
Kuala Lumpur, 3rd May 2011. Silverfish Books, the independent bookstore at Jalan Telawi, Bangsar is hosting a picture book week from 2 – 7 May 2011. A total of 20 titles will be displayed. Written and/or illustrated by Malaysians, these books bring to us stories that are uniquely our own including stories from East Malaysia. During the week, the books are being sold with special promotional offers and free gifts.
Linda Tan Lingard, director of Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency Sdn Bhd and organiser of the event said, “This is the first picture book week we have organised and we thank Silverfish Books for hosting it.”
“Picture books are a great way to introduce books to children. They are ideal for reading aloud or reading together and are effective for inculcating love of reading among young children. The illustrations and text add to the total reading experience and enjoyment of picture books.”
Linda Tan Lingard, director of Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency Sdn Bhd and organiser of the event said, “This is the first picture book week we have organised and we thank Silverfish Books for hosting it.”
“Picture books are a great way to introduce books to children. They are ideal for reading aloud or reading together and are effective for inculcating love of reading among young children. The illustrations and text add to the total reading experience and enjoyment of picture books.”
Yusof Gajah at Silverfish Books
The Agency has brought together an impressive group of people to participate in their first picture book week. They include:
• Yusof Gajah - Malaysian artist Yusof Gajah with his iconic elephant images who is also an award-winning children’s book illustrator.
• Sarimah Ibrahim, popular TV host
• Datin Rossiti Aishah Rashidi - Author of ‘Manja the Orangutan’, who is an advocate for a green lifestyle and being guardians of our environment.
• Emila Yusof - Blogger and illustrator, Emila Yusof.
• Voice of the Children - VOC is an NGO whose mission is to advocate for and promote law and policy reform to protect the rights of the child.
• Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Malaysia (SCBWI) - The Society aims to provide support and training for Malaysian writers and illustrators.
• Yusof Gajah - Malaysian artist Yusof Gajah with his iconic elephant images who is also an award-winning children’s book illustrator.
• Sarimah Ibrahim, popular TV host
• Datin Rossiti Aishah Rashidi - Author of ‘Manja the Orangutan’, who is an advocate for a green lifestyle and being guardians of our environment.
• Emila Yusof - Blogger and illustrator, Emila Yusof.
• Voice of the Children - VOC is an NGO whose mission is to advocate for and promote law and policy reform to protect the rights of the child.
• Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Malaysia (SCBWI) - The Society aims to provide support and training for Malaysian writers and illustrators.
Sharmila Sekaran and Rafilda Abdul Rahman
Sharmila Sekaran, Chairperson of Voice of the Children, said, “We are extremely happy and thankful to Yusuf Gajah Lingard Literary Agency for this opportunity to participate in the inaugural Picture Book week with two of our very own books, the first set in a series of books. In a collaboration between local and foreign artists and writers, the objective of our books – “The Little Dancing Bear” and “Cats in the Rubbish” – showcase a different world – the real world – where children are exposed to abuse and violence, are maltreated and need our protection.
“It is VoC’s hope that through these books, the readers – children and adults alike – will become aware of the issues regarding the circumstances of many children in Malaysia and that in turn, they will come forward with their support to help make a positive change”, said Ms Sharmila. “We are also very happy to announce that a third book in the series will be launched in June, in conjunction with UNHCR’s World Refugee Day.”
“It is VoC’s hope that through these books, the readers – children and adults alike – will become aware of the issues regarding the circumstances of many children in Malaysia and that in turn, they will come forward with their support to help make a positive change”, said Ms Sharmila. “We are also very happy to announce that a third book in the series will be launched in June, in conjunction with UNHCR’s World Refugee Day.”
At the press conference, Yusof Gajah who was all fired-up after his recent trip to the Bologna International Children’s Book Fair in March said, “Many local writers and illustrators have not been trained to produce picture books. We want to produce more quality books for children but we must address this gap and provide incentives to writers and illustrators.”
Yusof was proud that two of the illustrators he trained, Jainal Amambing and Awang Fadilah, both from Sabah have since produced a number of picture books which were also being highlighted during this picture book week.
Yusof Gajah is currently working on a series of 10 books on creativity for children and will be identifying appropriate partners for each title. These books are expected to be published early next year.
Voice of the Children (VOC) sees picture books as a good way to bring across the message of child rights. They have published two picture books with more in the pipeline. The books will also come with teachers guide and teaching aids.
Yusof was proud that two of the illustrators he trained, Jainal Amambing and Awang Fadilah, both from Sabah have since produced a number of picture books which were also being highlighted during this picture book week.
Yusof Gajah is currently working on a series of 10 books on creativity for children and will be identifying appropriate partners for each title. These books are expected to be published early next year.
Voice of the Children (VOC) sees picture books as a good way to bring across the message of child rights. They have published two picture books with more in the pipeline. The books will also come with teachers guide and teaching aids.
Datin Rossiti
A new picture book, Longhouse Days, is currently being promoted at Silverfish, and is written and illustrated by Jainal Amambing, another award-winning Malaysian illustrator. Datin Rossiti Aishah Rashidi, writing the non-fiction picture book, Puteri Tioman the Green Turtle, has been a learning experience. She ventured into snorkeling so that she could see for herself the underwater marine life. Puteri Tioman is scheduled for publication in July 2011 with a foreword by Tuanku Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sultan of Pahang who first encouraged her to write the book.
Kenneth Quek, SCBWI RA Singapore
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Malaysia (Persatuan Penulis dan Ilustrator Buku Kanak-kanak Malaysia) who was represented by its secretary, Rafilda Abdul Rahman said that the society aims to address the gap in training for local writers and illustrators.
They are also helping to promote local writers and illustrators by building a database of writers and illustrators on the www.scbwi-my.org website. With the sponsorship of the Malaysian National Book Council (Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia), the Society put up an exhibition of illustrations by local illustrators in conjunction with the recent Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair.
SCBWI is actively involved in the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) due to be held in Singapore from 26-28 May 2011. SCBWI members will be given special promotional deals, said Rafilda.
“Whether you are a writer or an illustrator, the AFCC is the place to be to learn from professionals, to network and to make contact with publishers,” said Kenneth Quek, SCBWI Regional Advisor from Singapore who was at the Press Conference to promote the festival which has the theme, Asian Content for the World’s Children. More information as well as registration may be obtained from www.afcc.com.sg
At the close of the week-long promotion, popular TV host, Sarimah Ibrahim, will be reading a book by Yusof Gajah, on 7th May at Silverfish Books. This will be followed by a free art and creativity workshop for children with Yusof while the participating publishers, writers and illustrators will talk about how and why they produce picture books. Admission is open to the public and is free.
They are also helping to promote local writers and illustrators by building a database of writers and illustrators on the www.scbwi-my.org website. With the sponsorship of the Malaysian National Book Council (Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia), the Society put up an exhibition of illustrations by local illustrators in conjunction with the recent Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair.
SCBWI is actively involved in the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) due to be held in Singapore from 26-28 May 2011. SCBWI members will be given special promotional deals, said Rafilda.
“Whether you are a writer or an illustrator, the AFCC is the place to be to learn from professionals, to network and to make contact with publishers,” said Kenneth Quek, SCBWI Regional Advisor from Singapore who was at the Press Conference to promote the festival which has the theme, Asian Content for the World’s Children. More information as well as registration may be obtained from www.afcc.com.sg
At the close of the week-long promotion, popular TV host, Sarimah Ibrahim, will be reading a book by Yusof Gajah, on 7th May at Silverfish Books. This will be followed by a free art and creativity workshop for children with Yusof while the participating publishers, writers and illustrators will talk about how and why they produce picture books. Admission is open to the public and is free.
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