Back in the studio

I am now back in my home studio after four intense, invigorating and inspiring days at the Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) organised by the National Book Development Council of Singapore and The Arts House last week.

Big thanks to the organisers as well as the advisors, speakers and presenters who put in their heart and sweat to put together this wonderful event that bring together people who are passionate about children's books. Great appreciation to the speakers who took the time to feed us with so much information despite being jetlag, attacked by the ferocious Singapore heat and pestered by sales people of exotic food along the quay.

Like Sangeetha, a friend and the author of A Blue Cat's Tale (a beautifully illustrated picture book published by ST Press under the First Time Writer and Illustrator scheme), I was information overloaded! My head too was buzzing with ideas and excitement. I certainly had lots of fun catching up with old friends and meeting new ones whom I hope will grow into old friends the next time we meet again.

While I am compelled to write a long post about the festival, I would like to direct you to Tarie's blog for now. I had the pleasure of meeting Tarie Sabido during the last session which was an open dialog between Asian and Australian publishers, writers and illustrators. Tarie, who lives in the Philippines, has an interesting blog that talks about books set in Asia and books with Asian characters regardless of where they are from.

Tarie's enthusiasm and love for children's literature is infectious of course. Whether you are a writer, an illustrator, a publisher, a mother, a teacher, or simply someone who loves to read, definitely check her blogs out. The names - Asia in The Heart (http://asiaintheheart.blogspot.com) and Color Online (http://coloronline.blogspot.com - a blog focuses on women writers of color for adults, young adults (YA) and children.) Super efficient in journaling, Tarie posted her experience at AFCC quicker than anyone in the media! I am blogrolling you!

One more lady whom I had great pleasure meeting is Daphne Lee. Daphne is an advocate in reading in Malaysia. She started blogging about books for children and teens in 2004. You can imagine the sheer amount of resources, researches and information that Daphne had put her heart and soul into, in the name for love for children's literature. It's a must for parents and teachers to spend time at her blog. (Seriously, I command you to!) Her blog is The Places You Will Go (http://daphne.blogs.com). Be ready to be enlighten!

Before I sign off to do more thinking and get more drawings done, I would like to share a little bit about my experience with the Asian Parents Forum, which I think is the best way to end the event on Sunday. Why is it the best you may ask? Let me tell you from the perspective of a parent.

I managed to attend two sessions in the morning. One with Dilip Mukerjea of Braindancing International and another with Vikas Malkani of SoulKids and SoulParents.

Both are dynamic speakers who spoke with great wisdom. They are the people who knows children (I would say better than many of us). I have learned so much from them on Mother's Day. Indeed, what a privileged to have children and be around them.

At the end of the sessions, I asked myself one simple question which I think it will take me a lifetime to find out, which is the beauty of it too - What do we understand about children?

Email me if you have any thoughts. I would absolutely love to hear from you.

Have a great week ahead.