Childrens Book Writers Marjorie van Heerden Marjorie van Heerden has written and/or illustrated more than

120 childrens books and has been published in 34 languages in Africa, Europe, Canada, China and the USA. She is the Co-Regional Advisor for SCBWI (South Africa). In 2008 Marjorie won the M.E.R Award for best South African illustrated childrens book.

Margaret Kerrison Margaret Kerrison is an award-winning freelance writer for web, print, television, film, and an experienced designer.

David Seow David is the author of several well-received childrens books, including The Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di series, The Littlest Emperor and Theres Soup on My Fly, which was shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Book Award in 2011. Davids next book, The Great Big Spooky Forest will be released in 2012.

Young-adult Book Writers Uma Krishnaswami Uma, the author of fifteen books for young readers, is widely recognised as a major international and multicultural voice in childrens literature. Her chapter book, Book Uncle and Me was the 2011 winner of the Scholastic Asian Book Award.

Daniel Wong Daniel Wong, author of The Happy Student (Write Edition, 2012), was born in South Africa. He lived in Hong Kong and Singapore before heading to the Duke University, where he graduated with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Economics.

Margarita Engle Margarita Engle is a celebrated Cuban-American author who has received numerous awards for her books.

Illustrators

Naomi Kojima Naomi Kojima is an author and illustrator of childrens books.

Yusof Gajah Yusof Gajah is an artist and award-winning childrens book writer and illustrator at both national and international levels. Picture books are his passion and he has conducted many workshops as well as exhibitions both in Malaysia and abroad.

Suzy Lee Suzy Lee was awarded The New York Times Best Illustrated Childrens Books (U.S.A.) twice and also won Gold Medal for Original Art by The Society of Illustrators (U.S.A.).

Publishers Sarah Odedina Sarah has been committed to publishing excellent childrens books since 1988 including overseeing and managing the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. She is now managing director of Hot Key Books, a part of Bonnier.

Helen McAleer Helen McAleer is currently the MD of Walker Books UK.

Literary/Rights Agents

Cecilia de la Campa Cecilia de la Campa is the Director of Subsidiary Rights for Childrens and Young Adult Books at Writers House, LLC, one of the largest literary agencies in the world.

Linda Tan Linda Tan is the Managing Partner of Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency. With 15 years of experience in the publishing industry, she set up her own company to publish childrens books. As the Regional Advisor for SCBWI Malaysia, she hopes to nurture local writers and illustrators and bring their works to the international market. Fran Lebowitz Fran Lebowitz worked as a literary agent, specialising in pop culture books at The William Morris Agency and Writers House.

Teachers/Educators

Myra Garces-Bacsal Dr Garces-Bacsal is a Lecturer/Teacher Educator at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. As a clinical psychologist, she is interested in talent development in young people.

Chitra Shegar
An Asst. Professor with the National Institute of Education, Dr Chitra Shegars areas of specialty includes language teaching methodology, second language acquisition and teacher education.She has published in several books and international journals and is a Managing Editor of Pedagogies, an international journal. Librarians Panna Kantilal Panna, a Senior Librarian with the National Library Board, Singapore, has over 13 years experience as a collection development librarian.

Zulkifli bin Amin As a Childrens Librarian at NLB, he spearheaded a series of innovative projects, namely Quest and Conquest.

Faizah Ahmad Faizah Ahmad is a Childrens Librarian at the Public Services Group, (NLB) and winner of the Library Association of Singapore Gold Medal (NTU) 2010.

Media Specialists Thomas Lim Thomas Lim, Director at Media Development Authority (MDA), is the chief promoter of the Interactive Media & Games sector and has conceptualised initiatives such as GAME+ to level up the capabilities and capacity of the games sectors.

Joanne Teoh Joanne Teoh, a documentary director with over 20 years of media experience, has held senior management, creative and editorial roles at leading news organisations. She was a member of the team that launched Channel NewsAsia in 1999 and innovated content on social issues, medicine and the environment for television series.

Yvone Foong
Yvone is CEO of Zixxe Pte Ltd, a company which creates and produces mobile content for kids on the iphone and android platforms.

Technology Provider Stanley Han Stanley Han is the Co-Founder and CEO of Personal e-Motion Pte Ltd (PEM). PEMs media fusion technology, KooBits, allows ebooks to be created faster and better at competitive pricing.

Editors Vatsala Kaul-Banarjee Vatsala Kaul-Banerjee held various editorial positions starting with Target, the iconic childrens magazine, published by the India Today Group. Currently, she is the Publishing Director, Childrens & Reference Books, at Hachette India.

Alvina Ling Alvina Ling is Editorial Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and acquires childrens books for all ages. Some of her recent publications include Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein and Ed Young, The Curious Garden by Peter Brown and many more. She lives in Brooklyn and enjoys karaoke, eating, and walking all over New York.

Literary Critic
Leonard Marcus Leonard Marcus is one of the worlds leading authorities on childrens books and their illustration. He writes for the New York Times Book Review and The Horn Book and is a Trustee of the Eric Carle Museum for Picture Book. Bloggers Jacqueline Woo Jacqueline, 19 years old and physically challenged, relies on digital gadgets as a means to a productive and creative adult life. She is adept at using social media to create and author content for videos, brochures and blogs to help raise funds for the social causes.

Tarie Sabido She has been blogging about childrens and young adult literature since 2005. Find her at Into the Wardrobe (http://peteredmundlucy7.blogspot.com) and Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind (http://asiaintheheart.blogspot.com). Storyteller Sheila Wee Sheila Wee, co-founder of Singapores first storytelling circle and its first professional storytelling company, is currently the President of the Storytelling Association (Singapore).. She recently published a story in an anthology to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Commonwealth Education Trust. Translator Avery Fischer Udagawa Avery Fischer Udagawa currently parents, writes and translates Japanese childrens literature into English. She lives in Bangkok with her bicultural (Japanese/American) family.

Bookshop Proprietor Cheryle Hum Cheryle Hum established Bookaburra with a partner in 1998 with the objective of providing a wide choice of quality literature to children.

For more distinguished speakers, please visit www.afcc.com.sg or check out the festival booklet : SPEAKERS & THEIR SESSIONS.