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Happy World Book Day!
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Call for Submissions to the Book Illustrators Gallery of the Asian Festival of Children's Content
You are invited to submit artwork that has appeared in children’s books, audio products, video products, comics, or games, published between January 2012 and March 2013. You can submit a maximum of five pieces of artwork. Send digital copies in jpeg/jpg format to afccbig@gmail.com for consideration, with “AFCC BIG 2013 Submission” as the email subject.
Please include the following information in the submission:
Name
Designation / Company name (if applicable)
Mailing address
Phone number / Mobile number
For each illustration please include:
Year of production
Title of the illustration
Title of the work in which the illustration appeared
Actual size of the illustration (in cm)
Thumbnail sized picture of the work in which the illustration appeared
The closing date for submissions is March 14, 2013 and selected artists will be contacted by March 28, 2013.
Click here for more details!
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Something awesome is happening in Hong Kong.
Wow. The Hong Kong International Young Readers Festival (YRF) is the first and only English literary festival in Hong Kong especially for children. The second YRF started on March 11 and features sessions such as a poetry slam led by Australia's current poetry slam champion Luka Lesson and a picture book writing workshop led by Singaporean author David Seow.
I hope to attend this festival one year! If you are in Hong Kong, you should check it out - this year's festival doesn't end until March 22! Anyone willing to share pictures or stories from the festival? :o)
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What is Project Banig?
Watch the awesomely animated video below to find out! (Video in Filipino.)
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The Bangkok Book Awards
For having freedom of speech, tons of reading programs, and a strong publishing industry, Bangkok, Thailand is the 2013 UNESCO World Book Capital. To celebrate this honor, international schools in Bangkok are running the Bangkok Book Awards for the best children’s and teen books set in Thailand. I would really like to commend the ten amazing and hardworking librarians from these schools for putting together the awards shortlists. Over three months, they read children's and teen books set in Thailand and chose age-appropriate, high quality books available in English and still in print. Each shortlist includes at least one book by a Thai author and one book by an international author, books set in different parts of Thailand, and at least one book in translation from Thai. You can check out the picture book shortlist here, the junior book shortlist here, and the teen book shortlist here. They are a GREAT way to discover good children's and teen books set in Thailand. =D
Voting for the Bangkok Book Awards started in January and will end March 28. If you are a student or parent, or part of the faculty or staff of the international schools in Bangkok listed below, you still have time to vote for your favorite book in each category! Vote here!
Bangkok Patana School
Concordian International School
The Early Learning Centre
Garden International School (Rayong)
International School Eastern Seaboard
KIS International School
New International School of Thailand
Regent’s School Pattaya
Shrewsbury International School
The announcement of the winners is on March 29 and I'll make sure to share the results here.
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Happy International Children's Book Day!
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Congratulations to the winners of the Bangkok Book Awards!
To celebrate Bangkok, Thailand being the 2013 UNESCO World Book Capital, some international schools organized the Bangkok Book Awards. Congratulations to the authors, illustrators, and publishers below!
Bangkok Book Awards - Picture Book Category Winner
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The Umbrella Queen, written by Shirin Bridges and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (Greenwillow Books, 2008)
Bangkok Book Awards - Junior Book Category Winner
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Tua and the Elephant, written by R.P. Harris and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (Chronicle Books, 2012)
Bangkok Book Awards - Teen Book Category Winner
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Behind the Painting: And Other Stories by Siburapha (Silkworm Books, 2001)
Bangkok Book Awards - Picture Book Category Winner
The Umbrella Queen, written by Shirin Bridges and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (Greenwillow Books, 2008)
Bangkok Book Awards - Junior Book Category Winner
Tua and the Elephant, written by R.P. Harris and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (Chronicle Books, 2012)
Bangkok Book Awards - Teen Book Category Winner
Behind the Painting: And Other Stories by Siburapha (Silkworm Books, 2001)
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Press Release: Young Artist from Bulacan wins PBBY-Alcala
The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) awards the 2013 PBBY-Alcala Prize to Dominic Agsaway, an illustrator from Bulacan and a member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang InK). This is Agsaway’s first time to win the contest.
This year’s PBBY-Alcala Prize called for entries based on the 2013 PBBY-Salanga Prize-winning story, “Ngumiti si Andoy” written by Michael Jude C. Tumamac, a story inspired by the life of Andres Bonifacio.
Honorable Mentions in this year’s contest went to artists Sergio Bumatay III and Francin Cruz. Bumatay and Cruz are also members of Ang InK.
Agsaway shall receive twenty-five thousand pesos, a medal, and an opportunity to be published. Prizes will be awarded in a ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children's Book Day at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 16, 2013.
For inquiries about the contest, please contact the PBBY Secretariat at pbby@adarna.com.ph.
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Summer Komikon 2013: Never Too Young to Love Komiks (Komiks Are for Kids Too!)
PRESS RELEASE:
School is out, summer is in! What better way to spend your summer break than cooling off at the halls of Bayanihan Center reading your latest collection of Filipino comics at the Summer Komikon 2013!
Come join us for another fun-filled day of buying local comics, meeting your favorite comic artists, challenging your drawing and story-telling skills on April 13, 2013 from 10 am – 7 pm at the fifth consecutive year of Summer Komikon, also from the organizers of the main Komikon held every last quarter of the year (since 2005).
For a Php 100 entrance fee, fill all of your comics’ cravings for the year in just one day! It’s FREE for 12 until 12! All kids (under 12) arriving before noon get to enter for free! So grab our Summer Komikon Tabloid: The First Edition at the entrance so you will not miss out on anything, especially the list of all the new titles being released.
Highlights will be on our kid-friendly comic creators with special guests like Jomike Tejido – creator of Foldabots published in K-Zone and Mikrokosmos comic strips, Robert Magnuson – artist of Shirley’s Pets (Junior Inquirer) and OMF’s The Great Duck and Crocodile Race and Elbert Or – creator of Bakemono High (K-Zone) and also the artist for Lola: A Ghost Story by J. Torres.
Want to see the latest in the independent comics scene? Then visit our Komiks Tiangge and discover upcoming local comics creators. Start collecting their early works, and who knows, in a few years, they’ll be one of the hottest comics superstars! Like Macoy’s work, Mascot, turned into an independent film by Directors Chris Costello and Mihk Vergara, with a sneak preview on stage!
Meet and greet the best of the best of the Filipino artists working for the International scene at the Komiks Kalye. Bring home your personal masterpieces from these international masters: Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Roy Allan Martinez, Harvey Tolibao, Lui Antonio, Heubert Khan Michael, Dennis Crisostomo and Jomar Bulda.
More Filipino artists are expanding to the international scene with Tintin Pantoja illustrating the manga “Who is AC?” written by Eisner Award Winner Hope Larson. Get your books signed at the National Book Store booth from 4-5PM. Beloved children’s book publisher Lampara Books and popular romance publisher Precious Pages have expanded to graphic novels with Black Ink Comics, with new titles being released this Summer Komikon.
We’ve also invited artist colleagues from Singapore: Otto Fong and C.T. Lim to talk about “Successful Comic Self-Publishing in Singapore” and the “Current Trends in Southeast Asian Comics” to see how the regional comics scene can affect and influence creators here in the Philippines.
Find out who will triumph in our Comic Creation Contest, Character Making Contest, Create Your Own Foldabots Contest and the Titus Pens Create Your Own Seven Notes Cover Contest. Winners of HBO Game Of Thrones: Join The Realm Create Your Own Family Arms Contest will also be awarded on stage.
Summer Komikon 2013 is presented to you by Komikon, Inc., in partnership with National Book Store. It is also brought to you by Lampara Books, Precious Pages Publishing, Black Ink Comics, Comic Odyssey, PSICOM Publishing, Animation Council of the Philippines Inc (ACPI) and Wacom. Special thanks to Titus Pens, Seven Notes, Quantum, Bag-iw Society, UP Lunarock, UP Grail and to our Media Partners: Hero TV, MYX.PH, Manila Bulletin, FlipReads, WhenInManila.com, ClickTheCity.com and Geekmatic.
For more information on the floor plan, schedule of activities and detailed comics release information, please visit http://www.komikon.org, like us on http://www.facebook.com/komikon.org, follow us at http://www.twitter.com/komikontweets or email us at inquiry [at] komikon.org .
Support the Filipino Komiks industry. See you there!
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One month to go before the 2013 AFCC!
In one month, it'll be the 2013 Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) in Singapore! The 2013 AFCC is:
The Preschool & Primary Teachers Congress
Date: May 25 (Saturday)
For: Primary, preschool, and kindergarten teachers; parents; librarians; and language specialists
The Parents Forum
Date: May 26 (Sunday)
For: Parents and children; primary, preschool, and kindergarten teachers; and librarians
Seminars
Date: May 27 (Monday)
For: Writers, illustrators, translators, BLOGGERS (!!!), and industry professionals
The Writers & Illustrators Conference
Date: May 28-29 (Tuesday-Wednesday)
For: Writers, illustrators, publishers, librarians, literary agents, distributors and retailers, translators, teachers, and other professionals related to children’s content
The Media Summit
Date: May 29 (Wednesday)
For: Producers, television and film executives, commissioning editors, comic artists, screenwriters, authors, publishers, app developers, animators, filmmakers, and content creators
Plus many more classes, programs, and events!
I attend the AFCC every year, and I always try to convince my friends to attend too. (I've been successful several times!) One of the questions they ask me is, "Isn't it too expensive?" My answer: Not if you're smart about it. =D =D =D I always use a budget airline and stay at a budget hotel (some participants bunk together) or with family or friends. There are early bird rates and special discounts (for example, if you are an SCBWI member) for registration. You don't have to register for the whole festival; you can buy a half-day pass for the blogging seminars, for example. (This is what I want you to do: At the very least, please buy a half-day pass to the blogging seminars. *conspiratorial whisper*) And eating out doesn't have to be expensive because Singapore is known for its very delicious street food. (I swear, the best meal I have ever eaten in Singapore was in this unassuming eatery in the Arab District.)
Whenever I'm saving up for my yearly Singapore trip, I remember this quote from Derek Bok: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." The AFCC is the only place where I can learn about the children's and young adult publishing industry in other Asian countries, buy children's and young adult books from other Asian countries, and meet industry professionals from other Asian countries. Ultimately, that's why I save up and go every year. I'm in love with Asian children's and young adult literature and I'm terrified of missing out on a lecture, panel discussion, or author appearance or book signing. I'm terrified of falling behind and not being able to provide good content for readers of this blog.
So . . . See you at the 2013 AFCC? =D
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The 1st Asia and Oceania Regional IBBY Congress
The Indonesian Board on Books for Young People is hosting the 1st Asia and Oceania Regional International Board on Books for Young People Congress - May 23 to 26 in Bali! This inaugural congress is open to all children’s literature specialists, writers, illustrators, publishers, librarians, storytellers, educators, and promoters, and will focus on how Asia and Oceania regional stories can play in the world children’s literature market and be used to educate children about respect, understanding, and tolerance in the global multicultural society.
I hope to attend this congress one year! Who's going? :o)
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The SingTel Asian Picture Book Award Shortlists
The shortlists are up for the inaugural SingTel Asian Picture Book Award, an annual award for an outstanding unpublished picture book with a distinctly Asian theme. Here is the shortlist for SingTel Asian Picture Book Award – Author, and here is the shortlist for SingTel Asian Picture Book Award – Illustrator. Congratulations! :o)
The winners will be announced at the Asian Festival of Children's Content in Singapore.
[Thanks to Naomi Kojima for the tip!]
The winners will be announced at the Asian Festival of Children's Content in Singapore.
[Thanks to Naomi Kojima for the tip!]
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The Asian Festival of Children's Content Seminars
The Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) Seminars are sessions that focus on specific aspects of the literary community and this year’s seminars are on young adult literature, the translation of children’s books, and blogging!
Of course I am writing this post to invite all of you to attend the blogging sessions. =D
The AFCC Seminars are on Monday, May 27, and the first blogging session (9:15 - 10:15 a.m.) is a presentation from Steph Su entitled "Getting the Most Out of Blogging." Steph is a ROCK STAR in the YA book blogging world and you definitely don't want to miss her presentation.
I'm moderating the next blogging session (10:15 - 11:15 a.m.), "Blogging - Today and Tomorrow," a conversation on the future of blogging and the blogging journeys of Steph Su and Candy Gourlay. While Steph is a rock star in the YA book blogging world, Candy is a rock star in the author blogging world and I am honored to be their moderator.
The last blogging session (11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.) is a panel discussion on "Fostering Relationships Within the Blogging Community" with blogging author Vivian Kirkfield, PaperTigers editor Marjorie Coughlan, and book blogger Michelle Chew. I'm particularly excited to listen to Marjorie speak because PaperTigers is one of the most important - if not THE most important - websites on multicultural children's and YA literature.
PROMISE THAT YOU'LL ATTEND THE BLOGGING SESSIONS. =D
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Like the PBBY Facebook page!
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My Favorite Session at the 2013 AFCC
{Steph Su delivering her keynote speech at the 2013 AFCC}
This was the first year the AFCC had a day dedicated to AFCC Seminars, and there was a blogging track in it, which my fellow blogger Liyana Othman and I helped put together. "Getting the Most Out of Blogging" was Steph Su's keynote speech for the blogging track. She shared her blogging journey and the many insights she has picked up along the way, focusing on blogging and the self, blogging and friends, and blogging and professional success.
{me and fellow blogger Liyana Othman}
Maintaining my blogs isn't easy: One, it takes a lot of time and effort, especially because I try to produce quality posts. Two, I don't make any money from blogging, in fact I spend money on blogging. I don't have advertisements on my blogs and I am not interested in sponsored posts. I spend money on books so that I can give them away to my blog readers. I spend money to attend events (like conferences) so that I can blog about the events or so that I can learn more about children's and YA books to better blog about them. Three, I unfairly get pressured about what to blog and when to blog. Blogging is my hobby and yet some try to dictate the content of my blog or the schedule of my blogging.
Steph's moving speech reminded me why I started blogging in the first place, and why I continue to blog: Blogging allows me to express my passion for children's and YA books, and connects me with others who have the same passion. It's a platform for me as a fangirl, me as a cheerleader. I shouldn't be afraid to blog about what I want to blog about, when I want to blog about it. I shouldn't be afraid or ashamed to take long breaks from blogging. And I can change the content and focus of my blog if I want to. If I force myself to blog about what I don't want to blog about, or if I force myself to blog when I don't want to blog, the quality of my blog posts will suffer or I will get tired of blogging altogether.
Steph taught me that, while the blogosphere is super saturated and highly competitive, blogging isn't about your number of followers, it's about the number of followers you can see yourself being friends with outside of blogging. I have to admit that I got teary-eyed during this part of her speech. I may not have high visitor stats, but I have made many beautiful and incredible friends from all over the world through my blogs.
{Liyana moderated Steph's session}
Thank you, Steph, for accepting the invitation to be part of the 2013 AFCC and sharing your blogging wisdom. Thank you for inspiring me and helping me regain perspective. I have wanted to meet you in person for a long time and hearing your speech came at the right time in my own blogging journey.
Thank you to the 2013 AFCC team, especially Rama Ramachandran, Ken Quek, and Stephanie Tanizar, for recognizing the value of blogging in the children's and YA book industry and dedicating several AFCC sessions to it. Thank you to Liyana for her hard work as an organizer!!!
{me, Steph, and fellow blogger Chachic Fernandez}
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How will you celebrate National Children's Book Day?
July 16 is National Children's Book Day in the Philippines! How will you celebrate? Please let me know! Share your celebration plans in the comments section below, or send an email to asiaintheheart@yahoo.com. Your celebration plans will be shared on the official Philippine Board on Books for Young People Facebook page and that way we can all connect and inspire one another for National Children's Book Day. :o)
How will *I* be celebrating National Children's Book Day? I think the easiest, simplest, and perhaps best way to celebrate is to read Philippine children's and YA books. When was the last time you read a Philippine picture book to your child before bedtime? Have you read the latest Philippine YA novels? I have a towering, intimidating to-be-read pile of such books and I promise to read as many of them as possible for National Children's Book Day. I, of course, will be blogging about my reading experience!
This blog is about Asian children's and YA books, but for the month of July expect a special focus on Philippine children's and YA books. Expect reviews, interviews, a giveaway or two, and of course, the exchange of celebration ideas. :o)
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Writers Share Their AFCC Experience
In the video below, Candy Gourlay shares pictures and books from the recent Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) in Singapore and the National Book Development Board Little Lit Fest in Manila!
And in this blog post "Meems" reflects on attending the AFCC as a Malaysian writer.
YES, I AM TRYING TO MAKE YOU JEALOUS. But only because I want to hang out with you at next year's AFCC and Little Lit Fest. ~^o^~
And in this blog post "Meems" reflects on attending the AFCC as a Malaysian writer.
YES, I AM TRYING TO MAKE YOU JEALOUS. But only because I want to hang out with you at next year's AFCC and Little Lit Fest. ~^o^~
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How Art Lovers in Metro Manila Can Celebrate National Children's Book Month
Visit "A Curious Buffet"! Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang I.N.K.), the organization for children's book illustrators in the Philippines, presents art inspired by the kitchen at Post (formerly Pablo), Cubao X. This group exhibit runs until July 13.
Update: "A Curious Buffet" has been extended to July 20. And here is a video from the exhibit's opening!
A CURIOUS BUFFET: Ang I.N.K. Group Exhibit from Teters Enrique on Vimeo.
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How Aspiring Authors in Metro Manila Can Celebrate National Children's Book Month
On July 6, join Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING), the organization for children's book writers in the Philippines!
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Celebrating National Children's Book Month in Cebu City?
Click on the picture below to read an invitation!
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On July 20, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) will be in Cebu City to give a FREE seminar. PBBY Chair and representative for librarians Zarah Gagatiga will be speaking about library activities, and as the PBBY representative for book reviewers I will be speaking about book reviewing.
I really hope to meet many of the children's books supporters in Cebu City! Again, please click on the picture above for more details. :o)
On July 20, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) will be in Cebu City to give a FREE seminar. PBBY Chair and representative for librarians Zarah Gagatiga will be speaking about library activities, and as the PBBY representative for book reviewers I will be speaking about book reviewing.
I really hope to meet many of the children's books supporters in Cebu City! Again, please click on the picture above for more details. :o)
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