Translating Worlds for Young Readers: Kidlit Across Borders
PanelKim Inae Sujung, Le Thu Phuong Quynh, Norlin Samat | Moderator: Amanda Ruiqing Flynn
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The children’s books that travel across languages do not do so by chance. The decisions made—from translation to circulation—shape the shelves of children around the world. This opening panel explores the shared power and responsibilities involved in introducing narratives across languages and cultures, considering what is gained or transformed when stories move between contexts for young readers.
This session is supported by the National Translation Committee.
translationindustry perspectives
Kim Inae Sujung (Korea)
Kim Inae Sujung is a Korean writer, literary critic and translator. She studied at Chung Ang University in Seoul and the University of Munich and received a PhD degree from Chung Ang University for her thesis on “The comparative study of German and Korean folktales”. Since 1990 she has been teaching about children’s literature at Chung Ang University and several other universities and colleges in the ROK. As a writer of children’s books herself she has participated in international literary exchange programs, such as the International Writing Program in Iowa (1996) and the Writers-in-Residence program of LTI Korea at the University of Bonn (2011). Besides, she has worked as a jury of various children’s literature awards and consultant for a number of cultural institutions and foundations in the ROK. From 2013-2016 she has acted as chairperson of the Korean national section of the International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY).
Le Thu Phuong Quynh (Vietnam)
Le Thu Phuong Quynh is a Vietnamese expert in publishing, education, and reading culture development, with more than 14 years of experience working with international NGOs and in the children’s book industry. She is the Global Literacy Manager at Room to Read, where she supports literacy programs across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Her experience extends to facilitating writer and illustrator workshops, developing training curricula, and advising on book development for literacy-focused initiatives throughout Asia. Quynh also participated in many activities with other publishers and libraries to help children expand their reading skills and foster a long-lasting love for books.
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.
Amanda Ruiqing Flynn (Singapore)
Amanda Ruiqing Flynn works across words and images. She was a winner of the Golden Point Award 2025. Her prose and poetry have been featured in Best New Singaporean Short Stories (Epigram Books), Oyster River Pages, ONE ART: a journal of poetry, QLRS and This Is Southeast Asia. Her visual art has been exhibited internationally in both solo and group exhibitions. She serves as a judge of The Voices of Today Literary Translation Prize 2026. Raised in East Sussex, UK, she now resides in Singapore, her birthplace. She spends her free time moonlighting as a librarian at Casual Poet Library and conjuring up stories with her young son.
Programme dates and times are subject to change.