Paving the Way Forward: Responsibility in Children’s Book Publishing
PanelAnna Fleming, Kristine Mandigma, Priti Sharma | Moderator: Felicia Low-Jimenez
Children’s books do more than tell stories—they shape worldviews, nurture empathy, and spark imagination in young minds across the globe. As publishers, creators, and advocates of children’s literature, what is our responsibility in ensuring that the books we produce not only reflect diverse experiences but also reach the hands of the next generation of changemakers?
This panel brings together children’s book publishers to explore the powerful influence of children’s literature and the ethical, cultural, and practical responsibilities that come with it. From questions of representation and accessibility, to the challenges of navigating commercial and societal pressures, panelists will reflect on how publishing choices can open minds, foster curiosity, and lay the foundation for a more thoughtful, inclusive future.
publishing
Anna Fleming (Singapore)
Anna Fleming has worked as an editor and publisher, publishing research and teacher handbooks on children’s literature and education at Macmillan and Bloomsbury. Having moved into digital publishing, she is now Publisher at Scholastic Education International where her portfolio includes Literacy Pro, a digital library of authentic stories from around the world. She has two sons and has seen first-hand the power of the right story to transform a reluctant reader into a bookworm.
Kristine Mandigma (Philippines)
Kristine "Tin" Mandigma is the President and CEO of Vibal Group and President of IBBY Philippines.
Priti Sharma (Singapore)
Priti Sharma Devata is the Managing Editor at Epigram Books. She also edits fiction and nonfiction picture books, early readers and middle-grade novels. She has more than 21 years of experience teaching and developing language and literary courses at the tertiary level. Her areas of focus have been children’s literature and postcolonial literature.
Moderator Felicia Low-Jimenez
Felicia Low-Jimenez has worked in bookselling and publishing for over a decade. She is the Publisher at Difference Engine, an independent comics publisher in Singapore. She is also one half of the writing team behind the best-selling Sherlock Sam series of children’s books. She has her first published adult fantasy short story in Fish Eats Lion Redux.
Programme dates and times are subject to change.