BIG Curators 2025

Lucia has been working in academic libraries, and also as a freelance illustrator and editor in the children's publishing industry. Trained in Cultural Anthropology, Chinese Literature, Art and the Library and Information Sciences, she is now the language specialist for Chinese and Korean children's literature at the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany.

Claudia graduated from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich with an MA degree in English literature and linguistics. Since 2001, she has been working at the International Youth Library, where she is responsible for the English language section. Her tasks include selecting and reviewing books for the White Ravens list, writing contributions to various publications, and curating exhibitions.

Photo: Copyright ©ideer.de

Ines holds a PhD in Nordic Philology from the University of Kiel (Germany). As the language specialist for German-language and Scandinavian children’s literatures at the International Youth Library, she is also responsible for curating exhibitions, selecting and reviewing books für the White Ravens list and the Poetry Recommendations for Children. Besides publishing articles and reviews, she also gives lectures and talks.

Dr 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 and the library. She is in charge of workshops and events and has instructed local students to conduct watercolour workshops and museum tours. Eriko has also 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.

As advisor to PBBY, Dr Ani Rosa Almario is the School Director and Co-Founder of the Raya School, a progressive school that aims to develop a sense of country in its students. She is also the Vice President for Product Development of Adarna House, the country's first and largest children's book publishing firm. She is also part of the core committee for the Philippines' Guest of Honour stint at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025. She has a master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford University and a doctorate in Curriculum Studies from University of the Philippines in Diliman.

As sectoral representative for illustrators at PBBY, Liza Flores is one of the leading children’s book illustrators in the Philippines. Her books, The Secret is in the Soil (2012), and Ang Maliit na Kalabaw (2021) have been included in the National Children’s Book Award Best Reads for 2012-2013 and 2020-2021. She is a member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), the Philippines’ first and only organisation of illustrators for children. She mentors illustrators from different countries through Room to Read, an international nonprofit organisation. Liza is also a graphic designer. She designed Karapat Dapat (2018), which was included in The White Ravens list in 2020.

As sectoral representative for publishers at PBBY, Frances Ong is the Managing Editor at Tahanan Books for Young Readers, where she has overseen the production and publication of dozens of children’s books. Among the titles she has shepherded through all phases of production are Ay Naku!, Tagu-Taguan, Mang Andoy’s, and the Halo-Halo Histories series—all recipients of the National Children’s Book Award. Fran holds a master’s degree in Children’s and Adolescent Literature from the University of Surrey-Roehampton.

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.

Jennifer Schantz is the Executive Director of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. After a career as an attorney, she served as the Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees at the New-York Historical Society for 13 years and as Executive Director at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Complementing her professional experience, Jennifer also is an accomplished classical musician having studied at the Juilliard Pre-College.

Isabel Ruiz Cano is an Associate Curator at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Growing up in El Salvador as the granddaughter of an artist and as the daughter of a fifth-grade teacher, she learned to appreciate visual storytelling from an early age. As a curator, she hopes to inspire curiosity and connection across all cultures through art.

Hoài Anh is a Vietnamese author and educator specialising in children's literature. She is deeply committed to ensuring children's active, equal, and diverse access to books, and focuses on advancing this mission through research and programme development in collaboration with her colleagues at The Initiative of Children's Book Creative Content (ICBC).

Phương Vũ is a curator and producer dedicated to accessible arts and community engagement. She is the co-founder and founding curator of the Initiative of Children's Book Creative Content (ICBC) and a curator at the Vietnam Youth Music Institute (VYMI). Recognized as one of the most dynamic curators in Vietnam, she champions cultural exchange and supports young artists through her projects.