Writers & Illustrators Conference

Illustration & Book Design Kidlit YA

From Comics, Graphic Novels and Picture Books to Fusion Texts (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Janet Evans (Independent Scholar)

In focusing on the work of Dave McKean (amongst others) this presentation will describe and give examples of fusion texts showing how the best of them are thought provoking, challenging texts many of which crossover into film and moving image. Some children’s responses will be shared.

Illustration & Book Design

The-not-so-normal, Whimsical and Nonsensical World of Illustrations (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Calef Brown (Author and Illustrator)

Opening new dimensions of kidslit illustrations, this talk will centre around influential and innovative illustrators within the realms of nonsense and whimsical art. Calef will discuss a variety of approaches to creating art, artistic styles, media, and discuss illustrators who also write.

[PANEL] Cracking the Golden Egg at Literary Festivals (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Maria Alessandrino (Emerging writer, reviewer and Festival Program Coordinator), Felicia Low-Jimenez (Co-author of the Sherlock Sam series)

Literary Festivals offer a unique opportunity to network with creators and peers. With so much on offer how do you ensure that you get the most out of your Festival experience?

Tea Break

YA

The Irresistible Fantastical Supernatural: Writing a World that Beckons (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author & Faculty, MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts)

How do we inspire young readers to care, to invest enough in the fantastical to keep turning pages? Award-winning, bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith discusses the writing process, especially the role of diverse settings as spring boards to suspension of disbelief, and facilitates writing exercises to make the spooky magic feel true.

[PANEL] If We Don’t Support Authors and Illustrators, Who Will? (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Deborah Ahenkorah (Founder, Golden Baobab), Jenny Murray (Acting Director, Children’s Books Ireland), Yeow Kai Chai (Director, Singapore Writers Festival), Maria Alessandrino (Emerging writer, reviewer and Festival Program Coordinator)

Behind authors and illustrators stand organisations that fuel and feed their hunger to grow, improve and reach out. Find out how organisations from Africa, Ireland Australia and Singapore have helped authors and illustrators showcase their work, develop their skills and reach greater heights.

Country of Focus Translation Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

On Translation (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Cathy Hirano (Translator)

Why is it important to translate and publish children’s books in different languages? What problems are faced by children’s and YA book translations in bridging the cultural divide and in getting published? Cathy will explore these issues, drawing on her experience as a translator of Japanese children’s books into English.

Illustration & Book Design

Creating Texture in Children’s Literature (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Kylie Howarth (Author and Illustrator)

Texture and pattern variations can be used to evoke different emotions and character personalities as well as add a depth and dimension that children can connect with and immerse themselves in. Discover how Kylie includes her children in her picture book illustration process, by creating unique textures through process art techniques including rock rubbings, finger painting, potato stamping, ink splattering and prints from nature.

Break for Room Change

YA Kidlit

[PANEL] The Editors Are Your Best Friend (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Sarah Odedina (Publisher), Andrea Pasion-Flores (General Manager, Anvil Philippines)

When editing, a second eye comes in handy. Children’s book editors come together to discuss their partnerships with authors and examples of tough decisions they had to make.

Kidlit Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

[PANEL] Where are the Parents? (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Cathy Hirano (Translator), Felicia Low-Jimenez (Co-author of the Sherlock Sam series), Gabriela Lee (Author)

From the changing role of the mother in the Philippines, to the Japanese emperor trying to murder his own son, learn how different families affect the behaviour and decision of characters, as the panellists discuss the tension between featuring parents and giving the young characters the agency to act.

Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

Gilgamesh Legend and Modern Encounters (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Ramineh Rezazadeh (Translator and Researcher)

Children need the stories of their ancestors full of adventures, ethical dilemmas and environmental issues. The Epic of Gilgamesh is such a legendary story. Composed of several Summerian tales, it is one of the first epics ever written. 

Translation Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

Understanding the Business of Translation (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator)

Translated books bring Asian content to the world’s children. How can publishers, authors and translators work together, and how is the market for translations from Asia? Avery  Udagawa offers a practical look.

Lunch

Speed Pitching (Writing) (L16 THE POD)

Sarah Odedina (Publisher), Andrea Pasion-Flores (General Manager, Anvil Philippines), Kajiya, Bunsho (Managing Director, Shogakukan Asia), Eliza Teoh (Director, Bubbly Books Pte Ltd), Cynthea Liu (President, Starts With Us, Inc. and Executive Director of the Bryan Johnson Foundation)

In this Speed Pitching session, AFCC Writers and Illustrators Conference delegates have 5 minutes to pitch their children’s books ideas to literary agents and publishing representatives from around the region. This could be your chance to get your works published! Find out more about submissions.

YA

[PANEL] Writing for YA: Have We Missed the Boat? (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Maria Alessandrino (Emerging writer, reviewer and Festival Program Coordinator), Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author & Faculty, MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts), Denise Tan (Co-founder, Closetful of Books)

Why do trends exist in YA literature and who sets them? What are some of the current trends? What trends have stayed around and what trends have faded away? Join Maria and Cynthia as they explore the lifecycle of a trend.

Kidlit YA

[PANEL] What Makes a Book Award-worthy? (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Deborah Ahenkorah (Founder, Golden Baobab), Leonard Marcus (Historian, Writer, Book Critic, Exhibition Curator), Murti Bunanta (Children’s Literature Specialist and President, SACL and INABBY )

What makes a book worthy to be crowned the winner of a Newberry prize or Golden Baobab award? The panellists will consider some of the world’s major picture-book prizes, look closely at a few famous award-winning books, and ask what makes a great children’s book, whether or not it has earned a medal.

Music in Learning (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Craig Smith (Musician and Author)

How mnemonics help children to learn and have fun. Mixing old storytelling with the new. Kinesthetic, aural and visual learning. Mixing all 3 to get the best results.

Illustration & Book Design

Edutainment Comics – Survival & Passion? (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Aurelia Tan (Author and Founder of Harvest Edutainment), Otto Fong (Comic Artist)

Aurelia and Otto talk about an important but understated field: educational comic books. Who illustrated your school textbooks in the 80s and 90s? How do these illustrations influence the world since Da Vinci and what are Aurelia and Otto doing differently?

Break for Room Change

Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

[PANEL] #WeNeedDiverseBooks. Really! (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Deborah Ahenkorah (Founder, Golden Baobab), Jenny Murray (Acting Director, Children’s Books Ireland), Mariko Nagai (Poet, Author)

#WeNeedDiverseBooks is a movement that requires a response from the literary community. In this panel, the speakers explore what has been done and what more we can do to tell our children diverse stories.

Illustration & Book Design

Illustrations, Poems and More Nonsense (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Calef Brown (Author and Illustrator)

Take a walk with Calef Brown as he shares behind-the-scenes insights into his work with both nonsense poetry and illustration, how they inform one another, his inspirations and the processes for generating ideas for his books.

YA

Tackling Novel Revision: Techniques and Tips (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Holly Thompson (Author, Teacher)

This session presents a variety of techniques and tools with which preteen/middle-grade and YA authors can systematically and effectively tackle novel revision.

YA Kidlit Translation Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

Japanese Children’s Books in Translation (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator)

Ready to discover a good book? This session will explore the variety of Japanese children's literature available in English translation – from folktales to fantasy, and from picture books to edgy YA.

Tea Break

[PANEL] First Pages: Writing Critique (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Holly Thompson (Author, Teacher), Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author & Faculty, MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts), Andrea Pasion-Flores (General Manager, Anvil Philippines)

Writers are invited to submit their best first page of an unpublished manuscript to be read and commented on by a panel of international publishing experts before an audience. Details on submission.

YA

Looking Back in Time (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Sarah Odedina (Publisher)

Knowledge of the past helps create an understanding of the present and a purpose for the future. A look at the way in which historical fiction for young readers can expand their understanding of the world and provide opportunities to create a more positive future.

Kidlit

[PANEL] Facts and Figures: What Makes Non-Fiction Different? (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Aurelia Tan (Author and Founder of Harvest Edutainment), Nury Vittachi (Author), Maria Alessandrino (Emerging writer, reviewer and Festival Program Coordinator)

From heat and light to historical figures, what entice children to read non-fiction books? The panellists join the discussion about what makes a memorable non-fiction book.

YA Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

From Outside In and Inside Out: Writing about a ‘Foreign’ Culture (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Oliver Phommavanh (Author, stand-up comedian, primary school teacher), Trevor Kew (Author)

While authors writing about other cultures face challenges, particularly when writing for children, the path of writers from the Asian diaspora is laden with other difficulties. Trevor will share his experiences as a foreign writer in Japan, as Oliver discusses the impact of his multi-cultural books in leading the way for diversity in children’s literature and at schools in Australia.

YA

Obsession: A Mature Theme in Children’s and YA Books (L16 THE POD)

Julia Lawrinson (Author)

Young people are passionate and learn about the world and others through their passions. Sometimes, passion tips into obsessiveness. What is the role of obsessive friendship in the development of identity and learning how to be an adult in a social context? Can obsession be healthy? Or can it be a sign of deeper problems that need addressing? Julia Lawrinson discusses the portrayal of obsession in her novels for young adults and children.

YA

Penning for the Preteen (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Holly Thompson (Author, Teacher)

With prompts and plot building exercises, Holly will guide participants to begin plotting, planning and writing new preteen/MG novels in this generative session.

Illustration & Book Design Kidlit

Picture Books from Here to Eternity (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Leonard Marcus (Historian, Writer, Book Critic, Exhibition Curator)

This illustrated talk will start with the picture book’s 17th-century beginnings and present a wide-ranging international survey of the best illustrated children’s books – past and contemporary – by artists and writers from every continent.

Country of Focus

Totto-chan and Chihiro Iwasaki
 (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Michiko Matsukata (Curator, Chihiro Art Museum
)

Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window is a book written by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi in 1981, based on the true story of her childhood in pre-war Japan, and her life in a very free and experimental school, Tomoe Gakuen. The book has been translated and published in over 30 countries. In this session, Michiko will talk about the story and illustrations behind the book.

Tea Break

Illustration & Book Design

Graphic Design Tricks and Techniques for Picture Books (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Kylie Howarth (Author and Illustrator), Soefara Jafney (Illustrator, art director, designer)

It is no accident that throughout history, some of our most celebrated children’s picture book creators were also graphic designers. Their visual communication skills in composition, colour theory, typography and the use of new mediums, materials and idea generation techniques produced truly ground breaking results, shaping the future for children’s picture books. Learn how Kylie dreamed up the concept of Fish Jam and how Soefara used her graphic design skills to create lovely picture book illustrations.

Library Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

Important Special Collections from around the World (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Christiane Raabe (Director, International Youth Library), Panna d/o Kantilal (Senior Librarian, National Library Board), Murti Bunanta (Children’s Literature Specialist and President, SACL and INABBY )

From private libraries to collections of Asian children's literature, to collections of international children and youth literature, our panellists will discuss the importance of special collections in keeping history, culture and language alive.

Country of Focus

Bookstart - Share Books with your Baby! (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Tetsu Shirai (Director, NPO Bookstart Japan), Izumi Satou (General Manager of Global Relationships, Bookstart Japan)

Bookstart is a book-gifting programme for babies initiated in England in 1992. Tetsu and Izumi will talk about how they launched it in Japan in 2000, have made it sustainable and financially independent, and what they see in Bookstart now after targeting 5 million babies in the past 15 years.

Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

Once Upon a Place: Children’s Books in Ireland (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Jenny Murray (Acting Director, Children’s Books Ireland)

Through their many activities and events, Children’s Books Ireland (CBI) aims to engage young people with books, foster a greater understanding of the importance of books for young people and act as a core resource for those with an interest in books for children in Ireland. This session will provide an overview of all of CBI’s events and activities and where it sits within the overall publishing scene in Ireland.

Break for Room Change

Illustration & Book Design YA

Lessons to be Learnt: Complex Issues in Children’s Books (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Sarah Odedina (Publisher)

The best picture books entertain and amuse while also providing a young reader with the opportunity to learn lessons about life, such as fear, loneliness and anxiety. In this talk Sarah Odedina will look at the delicate balance needed between words and art to achieve the perfect combination of message and medium in books for pre-school readers.

Illustration & Book Design Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

From North to South: Illustrations from Africa (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Deborah Ahenkorah (Founder, Golden Baobab)

Rich in life and colour, African children’s book illustrations paint a portrait of a beautiful culture. Deborah tells us what these children’s books mean to children in Africa.

Kidlit

Digitising Children Books: Interactivity with Purpose (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Dina Rara (Project Manager, Sesame Street Indonesia – Jalan Sesama (Creative Indigo Production) & Amazing Edu)

Digitising books expand the books opportunities to do things that printed book cannot do. The session will explore ways to produce digital books that is not only entertaining, but educationally purposeful for children development.

Country of Focus

Children and Poetry: Thoughts and Words (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Mariko Nagai (Poet, Author)

In this talk, Mariko Nagai will share her thoughts on how poetry can play a vital role in development of literacy, compassion, lifelong love for books and, most importantly, curiosity in children.

Lunch

Rights Exchange (L16 THE POD)

Andrea Pasion-Flores (General Manager, Anvil Philippines), Odonata Publishing House (Publishing house), Cynthea Liu (President, Starts With Us, Inc. and Executive Director of the Bryan Johnson Foundation), Wu Shuangying (Deputy Director, Hunan Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House ), Adarna House (Publisher), Colin South (Producer, Media World Pictures Pty Ltd), Kitaab (Print and Online Media)

As part of the Asian Festival of Children’s Content, The Book Council is organising its very own Rights Exchange (RX). Publishers and agents from across Asia, US, New Zealand, and Australia can come together for a unique opportunity to sell and/or exchange book rights and translation rights, negotiate co-publishing deals and other agreements. Find out more about submissions.

Kidlit YA

Fat Girls Are Heroes Too! (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Gabriela Lee (Author)

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and nationalities, and they can look just like you, too. Gabriela writes to inspire and challenges conventional notions of the heroic “ideal”.

Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

Verse Novels Crossing Borders (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Holly Thompson (Author, Teacher)

Verse is a powerful vehicle for global stories. Holly Thompson will discuss verse novels set in Asia, and the verse novel form as a means for crossing cultures, and what narrative poetry can offer to writers and readers in Asia.

[Skype Interview] Conversation with Shaun Tan (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Shaun Tan (Artist, illustrator, writer)

Don’t miss this an exclusive interview with renowned artist, illustrator and author, Shaun Tan. Find out the inspirations behind his art, and the ideas behind his latest book Grimms Märchen.

Break for Room Change

[PANEL] First Look: Illustration Critique (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Calef Brown (Author and Illustrator), David Liew (Illustrator), Kyle Hughes Odgers (Artist and Author), Naomi Kojima (Author, Illustrator)

First Look is an opportunity for illustrators who are considering publishing a picture book to share their illustrations with a panel of international publishing experts who will view the illustrations and comment on the illustrations before an audience. Details on submission.

Kidlit

Pop-up Books: Standing Dinosaurs and Jumping Horses (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Hans Hartung (Retired teacher and journalist)

Focusing on the production and the technical possibilities of pop-up books, Hans Hartung will show both simple as well as complicated and modern movable paper techniques. Do not miss this exciting session as he shares about new elements in pop-up books like additional materials, light and sound effects.

Country of Focus

Songs and Picture Books (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Toshihiko Shinzawa (Singer, Songwriter), Satoko Yamano (Singer)

Songs and pictures have a special way of reaching out to children. Combine the two and a new world unfolds. In this session, singers and song-writers Toshihiko Shinzawa and Satoko Yamano willl discuss and show how songs and pictures can work well together, expanding children's senses and imagination.

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Stories (For Content Creators) (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Saleemah Ismail (Director and Co-founder, New Life Stories )

Breaking the cycle of poverty through creative reading sessions for children of incarcerated mothers, Saleemah will share how together, mother and child are able to rewrite the stories of their lives and chart a more positive future.

Tea Break

YA Kidlit

[PANEL] Authors Debate: Where to Draw the Line? – Adult Content in YA and Children’s Books (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author & Faculty, MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts), Julia Lawrinson (Author), Mariko Nagai (Poet, Author)

Have some serious fun at the popular Authors Debate at AFCC. Prepare your wit and words for an exciting and witty exchange of perspectives about how far authors and illustrators can go to include mature content in YA and children’s books.

Kidlit

[PANEL] No Child is Left Behind (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Daniel Palma Tayona (Book designer and illustrator), Deborah Ahenkorah (Founder, Golden Baobab), Quek Sue Yian (Founder, MagicBird Publishing and Executive Director, Hong Leong Foundation)

Three different individuals from three different countries have one goal: to leave no child behind. The speakers will share about initiatives and efforts to build a space where children can enjoy reading and can identify with the books that they read.

Illustration & Book Design Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

A Touch of Local Content in a Story (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Evi Shelvia (Illustrator)

A cup, a cloth, a carton. How can an illustrator include local content into the environment, expressions, gestures, and other elements of a story? Evi shares some of her experiences as an illustrator.

Country of Focus

The History of Japanese Picture Books: From Einga-kyo to the Family of Fourteen (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Yuko Takesako (Vice Director, Chihiro Art Museum, Azumino)

The history of Japanese picture books can be traced back to the 8th century, when picture scrolls were hand-painted. In this session, Yuko Takesako will show, using images from the Chihiro Art Museum collection, how picture books evolved through the era until the present.

Illustration & Book Design

Apples and Oranges: Unique Styles of Illustration (L16 THE POD)

Kyle Hughes Odgers (Artist and Author), Daniel Palma Tayona (Book designer and illustrator)

Sweet or quirky, round or octagonal? Kyle and Daniel talk about carving a distinct identity in their art pieces and building their personal brand as illustrators.

Country of Focus Kidlit

A Child’s World in Japanese Picture Books (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Naomi Kojima (Author, Illustrator)

How are children’s emotions, interests and dreams expressed in picture books? In this talk, writer and illustrator Naomi Kojima will introduce Japanese picture books, which have captivated children with well-told stories and beautiful pictures.

Fluidity between Page and Screen (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Colin South (Producer, Media World Pictures Pty Ltd)

Books have long been a rich source for producers of children’s film and television. Now, even television shows can morph into a book. How does a producer approach taking a book from the written word to the screen, or the reverse, and remain true to the audience with both forms of storytelling?

Kidlit YA

Roundtable Discussion: Entering Markets Abroad (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Helen Mangham (Literary Agent, Jacaranda Literary Agency), Cynthea Liu (President, Starts With Us, Inc. and Executive Director of the Bryan Johnson Foundation), Emily Lim (Author)

If you’ve been trying to break into other markets, this session is for you. In this interactive discussion, a publisher, a literary agent and a self-published author talk about the issues, challenges and market perceptions with entering other markets. Delegates are invited to join in the discussion!

Tea Break

Illustration & Book Design

Portfolio Review (L16 THE POD)

Calef Brown (Author and Illustrator), Naomi Kojima (Author, Illustrator), Chris Nixon (Illustrator), Gabriel Evans (Illustrator and author), Kyle Hughes Odgers (Artist and Author), Evi Shelvia (Illustrator), Soefara Jafney (Illustrator, art director, designer), David Liew (Illustrator), Otto Fong (Comic Artist)

At this exclusive AFCC session, delegates get a special chance to have a one-to-one consultation session with illustrators from Asia and around the world and show them their children’s book illustrations. Find out more about submissions.

Kidlit

The Fabulous Fear Factor (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Jen Banyard (Author), David Liew (Illustrator)

Whether it’s the kind that raises goosebumps or a more subtly deployed form, fear drives most fiction. What’s behind this and how, in practice, can authors utilise fear to captivate readers?

Country of Focus

My Works: On Picture Books and Nature (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Kazuo Iwamura (Author, Illustrator)

Award-winning picture book author and illustrator Kazuo Iwamura will share his thoughts on how nature has played an important role in the making of his picture books.

[PANEL] Co-production Discussion (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Richard Thomas (Creative Director, One Animation Pte Ltd), Putri Rahartana (Vice to Production Director, Business and Partnership, Creative Indigo Production)

Combine forces and a multitude of creative and financial possibilities will emerge. This session will feature case studies of companies that co-produced children’s films, their journey towards co-production and the rewards they reaped.

Immersive Storytelling: Augmented Reality and Games to Engage Young Adults (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Saad Chinoy (Chief Geek, Tusitala (RLS) Pte Ltd), Nataly Rios Goico (Creative Consultant, Conducttr)

We don't "just read" or “just play games” anymore. We experience stories. Exploring how storytelling can involve our sense of sight, touch, smell and hearing, Saad Chinoy will go deeper into bringing the digital experience into the real world, while Nataly discusses how to “gamify your content” in order to create immersive and enduring transmedia experiences with higher engagement.

Break for Room Change

Illustration & Book Design

Watercolour: Stealing from the Masters (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Gabriel Evans (Illustrator and author)

Watercolour is daunting. The rules laid down to paint ‘correctly’ are endless. However, take a trip back in time will see less rules and more experimentation. Join Gabriel as he recounts his research into a select history of watercolour and his collection of stolen techniques from the master painters of yesteryear that he’s applied to illustration.

[PANEL] Meet the Commissioners (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Leslie Lee (Executive Director, Programming, Branded Media and Content, Walt Disney Company), Ryo Leong (Senior Director, Programming, Youth Segment, MediaCorp Pte Ltd), Vikram Channa (Vice President of Production and Development, Discovery Kids), Syahrizan Mansor (Vice President, Nickelodeon, Asia at Viacom International Media Networks)

Behind every great idea stands an organisation passionate about supporting this dream. But getting the right ingredients for their channel is just part of the challenge. Get the inside word from some of Asia’s leading kids’ broadcasters: Disney, Nickelodean, Okto and Discovery Kids Asia as they share insights about content that commissioners are looking for.

Localisation of Content (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Dina Rara (Project Manager, Sesame Street Indonesia – Jalan Sesama (Creative Indigo Production) & Amazing Edu)

Sesame Street is the longest running preschool series in the world. This session will provide insight into how Jalan Sesama (Sesame Street Indonesia) was developed, how it was executed and given a local flavour, learning from more than 40 years of Sesame Street experiences.

Country of Focus

Supporting Children’s Reading Activities (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Tadahiko Motoyoshi (Director General, International Library of Children’s Literature), Chihoko Tanaka (Section chief in charge of services for children, International
Library of Children’s Literature)

Find out more about how the International Library of Children’s Literature promotes children’s reading to users and school libraries through a wide variety of services. From cooperating with institutions like museums and zoos, creating a Picture Book Gallery on the internet, to setting up a Teens Research Room and research practice programmes for teenagers.

Lunch

Speed Pitching (Media) (L16 THE POD)

Richard Thomas (Creative Director, One Animation Pte Ltd), Ryo Leong (Senior Director, Programming, Youth Segment, MediaCorp Pte Ltd), Leslie Lee (Executive Director, Programming, Branded Media and Content, Walt Disney Company), Wendy Wong (Creative Director, Tusitala (RLS)), Syahrizan Mansor (Vice President, Nickelodeon, Asia at Viacom International Media Networks)

Speed Pitching (Media) gives conference delegates a chance to pitch their ideas to any one of our panellists for a chance to get their ideas commissioned. Whether it is an idea for a television series, web series, transmedia project or an interactive app, delegates can sign up for a pitching slot and have 5-10 minutes to sell their ideas! Find out more about submissions here. 

Kidlit

[PANEL] Dipping Your Toes in Book Reviewing (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author & Faculty, MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts), Leonard Marcus (Historian, Writer, Book Critic, Exhibition Curator), Maria Alessandrino (Emerging writer, reviewer and Festival Program Coordinator)

The panellists for this session unravel and manouevre the touchy waters of book reviewing. Taking it a step further, they discuss the challenges, conflicts of interest and the difficulty of crafting a critique that adds value to the literary community.

A Peek Into Puppetry (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Brian Zimmerman (Puppeteer)

Puppets are back! This exclusive session introduces the basics of puppetry to industry professionals and gives them a taste of what working with puppets is like and how to develop content for puppet characters. This talk also aims to reignite a passion for this centuries old art form within.

Developing Your Children’s Book Series for an Animated Series (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Chris Nixon (Illustrator)

Illustrating for a children’s picture book versus the television screen is tackled quite differently. Lead Designer behind The Jake series, Chris Nixon, shares his experiences of adaptation and creative development of the children’s book series for different screens.

Country of Focus

Crossing Borders: Kamishibai Culture and Its Universal Appeal (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Kyoko Sakai (Chairperson, Doshinsha Publishing CO.,The International Kamishibai Association of Japan))

What is the essence of kamishibai? The important thing is to give children excellent works by performing it well. Because kamishibai can arouse interest among the young audiences. In the session, Kyoko will talk about the basics of kamishibai.

Break for Room Change

Kidlit Diversity in Kidlit & YA Lit

Where Do I Belong – Exploring Issues of Migration in Picture Books (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Janet Evans (Independent Scholar)

This presentation explores issues relating to migration in picture books with particular reference to the way in which the books enable readers to respond to and thereby begin to understand the concept of migration, what it is and how one’s opinion of and attitude to migration and migrants is influenced by the point of view being presented.

Illustration & Book Design

Lights, Camera, Action: Talking about Children’s Art on TV (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Robert A. Alejandro (Illustrator and children’s art show host)

In this session, Robert gives us insight into his journey from a children’s book illustrator to art show host, conducting art workshops for children who live in poverty. These art projects are so easy, the children end up creating these projects themselves!

Country of Focus

Editing Books for Children (L5 POSSIBILITY ROOM)

Akiko Beppu (Editorial Director)

In Japan there are over 100 picture book titles, which are million sellers. Why? It is because these titles have been passed on from parents to children, like a chain of good memories of happiness. Akiko talks about the current state of Japanese children books from an editor’s point of view.

[PANEL] Humour is Evergreen (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Haresh Tilani (Co-founder, Ministry of Funny), Brian Zimmerman (Puppeteer), Terence Chia (Co-Founder, Ministry of Funny), Prem Anand (Executive Research Writer)

Humour is a formula that never grows old and a necessary element in kids entertainment, from TV series, to Vlogs and puppetry, writers and producers must inject humour in their content to keep audiences hooked and wanting more to giggle about.

Tea Break

Illustration & Book Design

Just-Wanna-Grab-It (L5 IMAGINATION ROOM)

Daniel Palma Tayona (Book designer and illustrator)

A good book design makes all the difference. Daniel will share some tips to help you make your children’s book design more spectacular.

How Connected Learning will Transform Content for Young Adults (B1 MULTIPURPOSE ROOM)

Nataly Rios Goico (Creative Consultant, Conducttr)

The trend towards flipped classrooms, the changing workplace and the anxieties of modern teenage life create new opportunities for publishers and broadcasters to integrate their content into formal and informal educational opportunities. This in-depth session will provide answers in how we tackle connecting with kids through content. 

Story-hacking: A Journey of Narrative Creation (90 minutes) (L1 VISITORS BRIEFING ROOM)

Marco Sparmberg (Founder/organizer, StoryCode Singapore)

Do not miss this hands-on story-hacking workshop. Participants will embark on a unique narrative journey. Passing through various stations, each “story-hacker” will use various methods and (physical) tools to create multiple narrative layers. Final results will be documented, presented and discussed among the groups. 

Country of Focus

The Japanese Manga Scene and Manga vs. Picture Books (L5 Possibility Room)

Miki Yamamoto (Manga Artist, Illustrator, Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba)

Manga is one of the best-loved products of Japanese pop culture. In this session, Miki Yamamoto will talk about the creative process of manga, where manga artists show their work in Japan, and where manga stands in relation to picture books.

Country of Focus

Japanese Children’s Books: The Present and the Future (L5 Possibility Room)

Yumiko Sakuma (Professor, Editor, Translator, Writer)

What books are Japanese children reading? What books are Japanese writers and illustrators making? And where is Japanese children’s books publishing heading? Yumiko Sakuma will give an overview and share her insight on Japanese children’s books today, and discuss the challenges and direction for the future.