Children’s author and blogger Daphne Lee recently posted about the new SCBWI chapter in Malaysia on her blog The Places You Will Go. Included in the post is information (and photos!) from SCBWI Malaysia’s recent Children’s Literature conference which featured an exhibition of illustrations from Malaysian picture books; a talk by artist, illustrator and writer Yusof Gajah on becoming a children’s book writer and illustrator; and two panel discussions (the importance of creating Malaysian children’s literature for Malaysian children and the use of illustrations in Malaysian children’s literature).
The president of the newly formed SCBWI Malaysian chapter, Linda Tan Lingard, is an avid reader and collector of children’s books and, like many Malaysians, has a passion for children’s literature. Lingard felt that there is a dearth of quality Malaysian children’s lit so she ventured into the publishing world to try and address her concerns. To date her company, Oyez!Books, has published over a dozen titles by Malaysian and expat writers and illustrators. Linda invites all those involved (directly and indirectly) in the production, promotion and distribution of Malaysian children’s literature to join the SCBWI Malaysia chapter. You can email her at lindalingard(at)yusofgajahlingard(dot)com.