Moderators

Angela is Deputy Director, Professional & Education Development at PAP Community Foundation. She has over 10 years of experience in the education sector, planning and overseeing the development and implementation of the school’s curriculum. She works with her team of specialists to lead curriculum change, pedagogical direction, and ensures that the curriculum meets children’s developmental needs.

When Bijal is not reading a children’s book, she’s editing or writing one. She’s the author of multiple planet-friendly books including A Cloud Called Bhura, Savi and the Memory Keeper, and Kitten Trouble. As a commissioning editor at Pratham Books, she dreams up picture books. She’s now a certified climate worrier.

Caren is the Assistant Director to the Grants Team at the Education & Community Outreach (ECO) Division in NHB. Her team oversees and administers the heritage project grants under the NHB Heritage Grants Scheme.

Prior to her rotation to ECO in April 2021, Caren was the Registrar and Assistant Director in the Collections Management Department at the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC).

Caren holds a degree in Applied Mathematics from the National University of Singapore, and a Master in Arts Administration from the University of New South Wales in Sydney.  She is also certified in Basic Western Paintings from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore.

Hong Koon is the Publishing Director at World Scientific Publishing Company. He has more than 40 years of publishing experience working with major publishers like Pearson and Oxford University Press. He is a board member of Singapore Book Council (SBC) and the Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS).

Dr Lum has worked in the early childhood field for over 20 years. She is currently Director, Mother Tongue Languages (NTUC First Campus).  She works closely with principals and teachers in delivering the Chinese curriculum and programmes to children through curriculum writing, training of teachers, evaluating children’s learning environment, and conducting continuous review of curriculum tools and techniques.

Daphne is the consulting editor at Scholastic Asia, a division of Scholastic Press, where she champions the creation of Asian content by Asians. To this end, she helped develop and is an advisor to the ongoing Scholastic Asian Book Award and Scholastic Picture Book Award, which have their home at the annual Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore. Daphne is also a writer with a particular interest in Asian supernatural folklore. She is the author of Bright Landscapes: A Short Story Collection (Laras 99).

Darel Seow is a visual storyteller who illustrates the tales of the natural world through his unique brand of wry wit and whimsy. He believes in the draw of storytelling as a means of engagement, creating experiences that simultaneously excite and educate. Particularly interested in museums and culture, he has worked with art, cultural and educational institutions to encourage learning through the power of imagination and play.

David has illustrated Ellie Belly, The Adventures of Squirky and The Plano Adventures. His adventures in children's literature continue with The Change Makers and Eye Spy series released in 2020. He is the Regional Advisor to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in Singapore. In response to the pandemic, he and the SCBWI Regional Team had converted their monthly meetup talks and weekly critique sessions to virtual formats, and thus opened the door for participation that transcends geography and time zones. He and SCBWI Singapore Illustrator Coordinator Paula Pang have launched a collaborative effort with their counterparts in Indonesia to launch "Talking Pictures" - a monthly Zoom talk and chat session for illustrators.

Denise started Closetful of Books after six years of working with children’s literature. With Closetful of Books, she shares her love for reading through specially-tailored workshops with authors and illustrators and super-duper fun book fairs in local and international schools. Denise also puts her studies in Mass Communications and English Literature to good use by spending all her time reading.

Denon Lim Denan is the executive director and chief editor of Lingzi Media, and President of the Singapore Association of Writers. He is also a poet, having won the Golden Point Award and been shortlisted for the 2006 Singapore Literature Prize. His new poetry collection 《如果还有萤火虫》 (If There Are Still Fireflies) was published in December 2017. 

Diana is a Senior Curriculum Specialist at PAP Community Foundation. She has been active in the Early Childhood Industry for about 16 years and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Early Childhood. She leads the Early Years Curriculum Team at PCF. She believes that the experiences provided in the early years from zero to three years old are the key to developing a healthy, happy and competent child. Diana has a keen interest in children’s literature, which prompted her to write a story, “When I am sick”, to help children cope with the information and changes during the pandemic.

Elaine has worked as a librarian for over 25 years in companies, public libraries and international schools. She has a master's degree in library science from the University of British Columbia and a master's in education from Sheffield University, where her thesis was on reading motivation in EAL students. 

Emma is an international publishing consultant. She has over 20 years experience in the global publishing industry and is the former Deputy CEO of the Publishers Association (UK), and held senior positions at the London Book Fair before setting up her own consultancy. Emma is a Board member of the PublisHer initiative established by Bodour Al Qasimi to improve gender equality in publishing, and a trustee of the Publishing Training Centre UK. She is a regular moderator and speaker at industry events. She is a passionate traveller and reader.

Eriko works in a university helping students who are learning together from different backgrounds and cultures. Before that, she used to work in a museum and made some educational programs for school children. Her team has also conceptualised and executed inclusive programs for the visually impaired. Her graduate work included field studies and research on wildlife ecology and conservation.

Evelyn is a children’s author. Her bilingual and multilingual stories have been performed in children’s theatre, at festivals and schools. Just a Little Mynah, the first in a series, was shortlisted for Best Picture Book in the 2021 Singapore Book Awards. As a researcher and educator, she advocated fair labour practices and sustainable development in Asia.

Helen Wang translates Chinese children’s books into English. In 2017, she won the Marsh Christian Award for Children’s Literature in Translation for her translation of 《青铜葵花》(Bronze and Sunflower) by Cao Wenxuan, as well as the Chen Bochui Special Contribution Award for translation and increasing visibility of Chinese children's literature.

Holly (www.hatbooks.com) is a longtime resident of Japan and author of the verse novels Falling into the Dragon’s Mouth, The Language Inside and Orchards; the novel Ash; and picture books Twilight Chant, One Wave at a Time, The Wakame Gatherers, and the forthcoming Listening to Trees: George Nakashima, Woodworker. A graduate of the NYU Creative Writing Program, she writes for children, teens and adults, and teaches creative writing and literature at Yokohama City University. 

Photo by Carter Hasegawa 

Hwee Goh spent 16 years as a TV journalist at Channel News Asia before extending her writing to books. In 2015, she produced the bestselling Lee Kuan Yew and a few non-fiction titles for kids. She followed through in 2018/9 with The Plano Adventures, a fantasy series based on science, with co-author Mo Dirani. Hwee is also an Editorial and Communications specialist at The Media Consultants Singapore.

Jason is an experienced business leader with a proven track record and demonstrated history of working in various industry, especially in education management. He has been in the education industry for more than 12 years and counting, spanning from K-12 education and Higher Education. Primarily focusing on English Language learning, he is now leading a team of talented people across Southeast Asia in Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.

José is Secretary General of the International Publishers Association (IPA). As IPA Policy Director, he organized the Prix Voltaire (IPA’s Freedom to Publish Prize), and managed the IPA’s activities in the educational publishing sector, including the Educational Publishers Forum. Before joining the IPA, José worked at the Australian Publishers Association, was Executive Director of the Australian Society of Authors, a lecturer in literary journalism and creative industries at the University of Sydney, and editor of the online news magazine NewMatilda.com. José held senior positions at the Literature Board of the Australia Council and was the founding editor of EDITIONSReview.

Julia is the founder and publisher of Gecko Press, a small-by-choice independent publisher based in New Zealand of curiously good books for children since 2005. Gecko Press publishes a curated list of books in translation from some of the best writers and illustrators in the world for ages 0 to 12 (sometimes infinity). Gecko Press books celebrate unsameness. They offer different—sometimes challenging, often funny, thoughtful, inquisitive—ways of seeing the world. Gecko Press books are sold in English-speaking countries worldwide. Julia also translates children's books from Swedish to English.

Photo by Johnny Hendrikus

Kartini is a lecturer in the Malay Language Division of the Asian Languages & Cultures Academic Group, National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU). She teaches subjects on Malay literature such as Classical and Modern Literature, Indonesian Literature, Children’s and Adolescent’s Literature, Literary Criticism, Dramatization of Literary Texts, The Teaching of Literature. She presented academic papers at regional and international conferences.  Kartini is also involved in academic and literary editorial works and judging panel of literary awards.

Leslie W is Kayce’s pen name. She is the regional editor at The Smart Local. She graduated with an English literature degree from the National University of Singapore, and was one of six mentees selected for the Mentor Access Project’s Fiction category, an annual programme which develops emerging writers. The Night of Legends was written under the mentorship of prolific local writer, Dave Chua.

Kim Beeman is Head of the Senior Library at Tanglin Trust School in Singapore. She has previously worked as a teacher-librarian at independent schools in Bangkok and New York City, and was a cookbook librarian in New York City for many years. Kim has a Masters of Library and Information Science from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Lim Cheng Tju writes about history and popular culture. His articles have appeared in the Journal of Popular Culture and the International Journal of Comic Art. He co-authored The University Socialist Club and the Contest for Malaya: Tangled Strands of Modernity (Amsterdam University Press /  NUS Press, 2012).

Chin Ee is Associate Professor and Deputy Head (Research) at the English Language and Literature Academic Group at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. She is the co-editor of Little Things, Poetry Moves and co-author of Teaching Poetry to Adolescents: A Teachers' Guide to Little Things by Ethos Books. She is also the co-editor of Literature Education in the Asia-Pacific: Polices, Practices and Perspectives in Global Times (Routledge, 2018).

Ying Ping is the bestselling author of the Mount Emily novels, a middle grade/young adult fantasy series featuring time travel and friendship, as well as Prophecy of the Underworld, a quirky and full-filled middle grade adventure story. Her novels have won the Singapore Book Awards and have been shortlisted for other prizes such as the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award and the Popular Readers’ Choice Award.

Malavika is a writer, editor and Japanese-English translator based in Singapore. She has translated educational children’s titles for Shogakukan Asia and other content for several corporate clients. Her book for children, Suraya’s Gift, was published by Penguin-Random House (India) in 2015. She also has a passion for cultural history and was an active Japanese museum guide at the National Museum of Singapore and the Asian Civilizations Museum from October 2018 till October 2021. She has recently returned to graduate school to pursue research in 18th century Japanese literature.

Norami Aliza Haron has more than 18 years of experience as an early childhood practitioner working with young children and families. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) with Honours degree and a Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) degree from University of South Australia. Norami has conducted several workshops for parents and professionals.

Norami Aliza is the Programme Head for Continuing Education and Training Courses (CET) at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (Ngee Ann Polytechnic Campus). She has more than 20 years of experience as an early childhood practitioner. Norami is a seasoned trainer with experience in training educators, and in conducting workshops for parents.

Having organised community events and working with youths and volunteer groups for the past 10 years, Lastrina has built an interest in climate issues and how people respond to climate impacts. In 2015, Lastrina co-founded Singapore Youth for Climate Action (SYCA) to engage youths in climate action or environment-related volunteerism. Moving forward, Lastrina is interested in exploring regional works including the intersections of climate change, human rights, and youths, in Southeast Asia and Timor Leste.

Nur Khairiah is an interdisciplinary artist with more than 15 years of experience in Malay Language education. She has authored and illustrated picture books, young adult novels, educational zine and short fiction anthologies in English and Malay languages in Singapore and Malaysia. She has also received recognition and writing awards for blogging, children’s literature and poetry competitions in Singapore. Her works have been showcased at Book Illustrators Gallery 2017 and PLACES Pop-Up Exhibition 2015, an annual writing and illustration mentorship programme by National Library Board and National Arts Council, Singapore.

Peter has made his career in publishing in Singapore, first in art book publishing as Editorial Director of Editions Didier Millet in the 1990s, and more recently as Director of the National University of Singapore Press, his current position. Along the way he took detours into internet publishing and management consulting.

Hong Shin is a Singaporean picture book author and illustrator. He has illustrated several picture books and his work has been shortlisted twice for The Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award. His book The Incredible Basket, published by Epigram Books, was the winner of Best Children's Book at the 2019 Singapore Book Awards.

Rosslyn is Programme Leader for the MA Creative Writing at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. Rosslyn has a PhD in Gender Studies with academic and creative publications in life-writing and memory.

Dr. Seetha is an Associate Professor and the Assistant Head of the  Asian Languages and Culture(Tamil) at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. She has led teaching and research concerned primarily with Standard Spoken Tamil, Curriculum Review, Classroom Pedagogy, Tamil lexicography, Teaching Tamil as a second language, Tamil pedagogy for the Tamil Diaspora and Teaching Tamil through Media.

Serene is a bilingual Preschool Teacher based in Singapore.  As an educator for  both Chinese and English Language, she believes in creating a positive learning environment for the children. Serene holds a postgraduate diploma in Early Childhood Teaching under the support of Ministry of Education and Bachelor Degree in Life Science from Singapore National University.

Shelly is a translator, poet and writer. She has translated work from the Chinese for Penguin Books, Amazon Crossing, Epigram Publishing, the National Library Board in Singapore, Giramondo Books, HSRC, Rinchen Books, and Maclehose Press. Her translation of Sheng Keyi’s Northern Girls was long-listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2012, and her translation of You Jin's In Time, Out of Place was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2016.

Shoba is the author of Janggan Dragon Kite, which was longlisted for the Scholastic Picture Book Awards in 2015. Shoba has been a management consultant, a preschool owner/teacher, and an early childhood education consultant. She now writes and mentors storytellers and is one of the core team members of KPBA—The Society for the Advancement of Children’s Literature.

Shreya Davies is the Assistant Editor at Difference Engine, and has worked on editing comics, as well as literary fiction and non-fiction publications. Her writing has appeared in The Epigram Books Collection of Best New Singaporean Short Stories (Vol 4) and Mahogany Journal. She never leaves home without a book in tow.

Ee Waun is the author of The Little Singapore Book, The House on Palmer Road, its sequel The House on Silat Road, and most recently, We Shall Remember: The Story of Singapore at War. A history buff, she is passionate about bringing tales from Singapore’s past to life for children, and hopes that they (and their parents) would discover that our past is full of amazing stories. Ee Waun was a food writer of 30 years before switching to historical creative non-fiction. She holds an MA in International Journalism. In between writing, she teaches public speaking at the National University of Singapore.

Sun Baoqi is Research Scientist at the Centre for Research in Child Development, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research encompasses socio-cultural-cognitive perspectives on language learning with particular focus on children’s bilingual education and biliteracy development. One of her recent projects focuses on primary school children’s reading habits in their two languages, and how schools, families, and communities can work together in building a bilingual reading culture.

Su Zhangkai was formerly a part-time lecturer with the Department of Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore and a secondary school teacher. His teaching experience includes teaching Chinese Language, Chinese Culture, Translation, Values Education and Bicultural Programme at Seng Kang Secondary School and Nanyang Girls' High School. He was conferred the 2013 Fellow of Academy of Singapore Teachers in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards professional development. He also translated many picture books, including The Little Chef (Pustaka Nasional, 2018) and Bear With Me (Sprout Language Centre,2019).

Thameem works for Pearson Singapore as a senior Business Operations Manager & Digital Entrepreneur. He has a Master’s Degree in computer applications and human resource management, and has worked in consulting, telco, high tech, cyber security and education industry with around 14 years of overall industry experience. Thameem has been part of several digital transformation programs for companies like IBM, Hewlett Packard, Starhub, Checkpoint Software.

Originally from Singapore, Vanitha lives in Sydney with her husband and two little children. Having worked as a Marketing Manager for over eight years, Vanitha holds a Masters’ degree in Business Administration. Unable to find good quality Tamil books for her own children, Vanitha turned to self-publishing and started Vaaranam Children's Books in 2017. The Vaaranam brand has now grown to eight Tamil books, including books with innovative elements such as lift-the-flaps, touch and feel textures and even an interactive clock! Vanitha is currently working on her next book project.

Vivian worked as a financial journalist and editor for 14 years at major US and UK trade publications. She became a freelance writer to spend more time with her two daughters and write about things close to her heart. This led to, My BFF Is an Alien, her first middle-grade novel. She now writes on parenting, education, finance and social issues; her work has been featured in CNA and CNA Lifestyle. She also enjoys blogging on her parenting and lifestyle website at www.vivianteo.com.

Zubaidah’s career spans three decades of librarianship, managerial roles, and leading projects; heading the first RFID library, setting up the Children’s Services, seeding the Early READ programme and focusing on the professional development of Librarians and Job Redesign project for Library Officers. Zubaidah holds Master of Science Degrees in Information Studies and in Early Childhood Education. Presently Zubaidah oversees the Malay Language Services, responsible for the overall strategic directions and implementation of quality nationwide reading programmes for the Malay Language. Her team works on the development of the Malay physical and digital library collections in the public library network.