BIG Curators

Leila (Roya) Maktabi Fard has been working as faculty member and researcher in Children's literature studies  in Iran. She has a PH.D in Library and Information Science with a focus of Children's Libraries and still works as a freelance researcher, translator and editor of children's books. She is now children's librarian in Munich City Library and Persian language specialist at the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany.

Young-Eun holds a PhD in German Literature from the Otto-Friedrich-Bamberg University in Germany and is a Professor in the Department of German Language & Culture at Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul. She is an Advisory Board Member for Korean Research Center for International Children’s & Adolescent’ Literature in Seoul. She is specialized in comparative study about German and Korean children’s Books. Her interests include reading and teaching children’s literature.

An anglicist and translator, Reina works at the International Library of Children’s Literature, Tokyo, and as the International Youth Library’s Japanese language specialist.

Canato Jimo is a picture book maker from India. He is particularly fond of wordless picture books and also likes to explore the dark and bizarre in picture books. He did his masters in graphic design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India. He currently works as an art director at Pratham Books. He finds it fascinating collaborating with artists and watching picture books come alive. His book ‘Snip’ has made it to the TATA Parag Honour List 2020 and has also been shortlisted for the Publishing Next children’s Book of the Year 2020 award (0-8 years).

Murti Bunanta is a children’s literature specialist, writer, and founder of two nonprofit organizations, The Society for The Advancement of Children’s Literature and the Indonesian Board on Books for Young People. She has authored 50 books, given lectures in 22 countries, and written 250 essays. Her works have been translated into several languages, earning her seven international recognitions for her books and six for promoting children’s literature.

Amanda Ariawan is a young curator and art writer. She obtained her MA in Contemporary Art Exhibition Production from Université de Lille 3, France. In line with her research, Amanda has worked on several curatorial projects and publications. Through her exhibitions, she aims to create inclusivity by connecting art to various publics including children. In 2023 she was selected as an international jury member for the Biennale of Ilustrations Bratislava (BIB).

Maria Christania is an illustrator based in the UK. She received an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University. In her career as an illustrator, Maria has written and illustrated 30+ children's picture books. She was awarded the IBBY Honourary Mention for Publisher in 2013, an IBBY Honour List in 2014, a nomination for the 2023 Carnegie Medals for Illustration and shortlisted for the Children’s Picture Book Award at the Derby Book Festival 2023.

Since 2012, Eriko has worked at the Chihiro Art Museum looking after public relations, the museum website, and editing the museum newsletter. She is in charge of workshops and events and has instructed local students to conduct watercolour workshops and museum tours. Eriko has also has managed Piezograph exhibitions in hospitals and in institutions abroad in India, Korea, and Indonesia.

Since 2003, Michiko has worked at the Chihiro Art Museum as a curator and is also currently responsible for the library, PR, and international section. She has curated exhibitions such as the Polish Picture Book Artists, Eun Young Cho, Run, Toto!: The Making of a Picture Book, and Kota Taniuchi Exhibition: Follow the Wind. Besides reading, Michiko enjoys walking about.

Noe Jeungmin is the director of the Hyundai Museum of Kids’ Books & Art-MOKA. She received a Ph.D. at the University of Iowa, focusing on art education.

Aldy C. Aguirre, an artist and illustrator in Quezon City, Philippines, has contributed to children’s books for various publishers and independent writers. His work has been honoured by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and the National Book Development Board, as well as internationally by ILUSTRARTE in Castelo Branco, among others. Aldy’s illustrations for Papuntang Community Pantry were finalists in the 2022 Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators competition.

David Liew, an illustrator of children’s books, also crafts miniature worlds. Formerly a junior college teacher, he transitioned to professional illustration. His works include series like "Ellie Belly," "The Plano Adventures," and "Change Makers." Liew instructs Picture Book illustration at the National Institute of Early Childhood Education and teaches art at Republic Polytechnic. He serves as Regional Advisor for the Singapore Chapter of the Society of Children’s Books and Illustrators.

Peeriya Pongsarigun is a translator, author, and publisher of children’s books. She has co-translated more than 200 children’s books, mostly from Thai to English and cofounded InterThaiMedia LLC. Her dream is to bring Thai children’s books out there for the world to see. She is currently Secretary-General of ThaiBBY.