[Lunchtime Talk] Curating Your Child’s Shelf of Translated Books
PanelDenise Tan, Katie Day, Norlin Samat | Moderator: Rachelyn Gordon
Free with Registration
Bring your own lunch and join us for our Lunchtime Talks!
What translated literature do we introduce to our children? This panel discusses the practical considerations involved in selecting, recommending, and positioning translated titles for young readers. Panellists will share how to introduce diverse voices and themes in their curation, balancing that with cultural authenticity, readability, and age-appropriateness. Through concrete examples, the session explores how thoughtful selection of translated books can shape children’s reading experiences and encourage engagement with stories from beyond their own languages and cultures.
This session is supported by the National Translation Committee.
translationreadingpicture booksstorytelling
Denise Tan (Singapore)
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.
Katie Day (USA / Singapore)
Katie Day is an American teacher-librarian who has lived in Asia since 1997, including Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. She is actively involved in the Red Dot Book Awards (Singapore), the Neev Book Awards (India) and the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative (GLLI) YA Translated Book Prize.
Norlin Samat (Singapore)
Norlin Samat is a publisher and the author of Ally’s Adventures, a bilingual children’s book series whose interactive story sessions are enjoyed by both children and parents. She also publishes and translates children’s books from underrepresented countries, bringing diverse voices and experiences to young readers. An educator at heart, Norlin designs community-centred programmes that connect cultures and highlight lived experiences through story. She holds a postgraduate diploma in education and a Master of Arts in Language Studies.
Rachelyn Gordon (Singapore)
Rachelyn Gordon is a Singaporean children’s author and creative writing educator who believes in the power of stories to build empathy, critical thinking and communication skills in young readers and writers. Her picture books, Rosie and the Mamak Shop (2000), Curly (2022) and Frank (2024) are warm and funny stories about identity, friendship, resilience, and above all, the power of laughter. Rachelyn has taught in international schools where she held leadership roles. She now focuses on leading workshops that help children explore real-world issues, discover their voices and write with passion. When she’s not writing, teaching, or reading picture books, she’s running after her son, Samuel, King of Tah Ching. Find out more at rachelyngordon.com or on Instagram at @teacherwhowrites.
Programme dates and times are subject to change.