Category: Malaysia

Mohana Gill joins Best of the Best, World Gourmand Award

16/11/2015

News Update: Mohana Gill has won Best of the Best World Gourmand Award for her book, 'Fruitastic' at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2015.

Healthy eating advocate and cookbook author extraordinaire, Mohana Gill will be honoured at the World Gourmand Awards Best of the Best celebrations at the Frankfurt Book Fair this year. This honour is given to past winners of the Best in the World Awards. This celebration is also the 20-year anniversary of the World Gourmand Awards.

Mohana Gill with her Best in the World award at the World Gourmand Awards in Beijing, 2014.

In 2014, Mohana's book, Myanmar: Cuisine, Culture and Customs won Best in the World for Best Asian Cuisine from Asian Books. In this travel cum cookbook, Myanmar-born Mohana visited places she had known since childhood and shared the special recipes found there.

Mohana receiving her Best in the World Award at the World Gourmand Awards in London, 2008.

In 2008, Vegemania! received Best in the World Award for Best Vegetarian Book.

Mohana with her Best in the World Award at the World Gourmand Awards in Beijing, 2007.

In 2007, Fruitastic! received Best in the World and Special Jury Award for Best Fruits Book.

Following from the success of Fruitastic! and Vegemania!, Mohana spinned off two books for children. Her hope is that children will learn to eat healthily from a young age and what better way than to get to know their fruit and vegetables. The two books are filled with colourful and bright illustrations by Tan Vay Fern.

CONTACT: Hasri Hasan <hasri@kotabuku.my>

This article first appeared in print in the Malaysia @Frankfurt 2015 tabloid, published by the Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia (MBKM) - National Book Council of Malaysia as part of their initiative to promote Malaysian companies, authors and books at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2015.

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Evi Shelvia: A world of her own

13/3/2015

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Evi Shelvia started illustrating picture books only a few years ago but in the short time, her illustrations are becoming known and loved for their detail and distinctive style. Evi's illustrations are alive with many characters that you wouldn't mind as neighbours and friends and before you know it, you are in the world she has created.

Pls tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Jakarta and studied Industrial Design at Institut Teknologi Bandung. I was teaching at a University in Bandung before our whole family moved to Malaysia in 2009, following my husband's new appointment.

What got you interested in picture book illustration?
I have been doing various illustration projects and happened to have the opportunity to work with a client from US for her first book "The Gift of The Ladybug". This book hit the Best Selling spot in Amazon.com on the first day of its launch. That encouraged me to look at illustrating children's books professionally.

Evi's entry for One Big Story, Asian Festival of Children's Content, Singapore which won the first prize.

Can you share with us your process when you illustrate a story?
Before I begin any work, I will carry out a thorough research to study all the related details of the characters, places, and even the ambient setting of each scene to be portrayed in the story. And for sure I will also discuss with the writer to get the writer's point of view. From there, I started creating characters of the story, present them in storyboards, and discuss with the writer/editor to finalise the illustrations.

Alicia and Coco, a new book to be published by Oyez!Books.

What inspires you?
The short answer - children!

What is your wish in terms of your career as an illustrator?
I've always had the passion for creating book illustrations that highlight the value of local culture and wisdom to the international level; to introduce the richness in diversity of cultures, religion, for example, so that children across the world can read and enjoy them. I want to become a book illustrator that has a signature style on each of my work that readers can really enjoy.

The castle library, illustration for a new book to be published by Oyez!Books.

Evi is represented by the Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency and is available for commission work. Email: yglagency@gmail.com

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The Storybook Project

11/3/2015

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The storybook project is currently taking place at SK Tiga Papan, Kudat, Sabah. The objectives of the project are to:

Collect and preserve local stories in their original language
Promote enjoyment of reading through storybooks
Engage parents and the local community in school activities

SK Tiga Papan, Kudat

Stage one - Storytelling Workshop  
In September 2014 parents, teachers, community members, two local artists and ELTDP mentors came together to share and record local stories. In groups participants told stories remembered from childhood and teachers wrote down the stories. At the end of the workshop 18 stories had been written in Rungus, Malay or English.

Stage Two - Storyboarding Session  
The English teachers, artists and ELTDP mentors chose three stories to make into books. Storyboards were drawn for each book. The teachers and mentors wrote English text suitable for level one pupils. A local speaker of Rungus, Malay and English was able to help translate the stories and advise on the key parts of each story.

Stage Three - Book Production
 Linda Lingard of Oyez! books attended the 2013 ELTDP Symposium and was very enthusiastic about publishing local stories. She was able to offer advice on the number of pages, space for text and the publishing process. In January 2015 illustrations, text and audio recordings were sent to Linda for publication, ready for presentation at the ELTDP Symposium in March 2015.

 Any profits from the books will go to SK Tiga Papan. We hope to put the money towards buying more books, upgrading the library and community reading projects.

L to R: Mike White, Anna White, Fiona Wright with the first two books of the project.

"Once upon a time, an invitation was shared, With everyone in the village, to come to school prepared.

For a story-telling morning, in Rungus and Malay, Sharing stories heard as children, and still enjoyed today.

They nervously arrived, in groups of threes and fours, Sat down tensely wondering, what surprises were in store.

“Can you all remember, stories you were told? Stories only known here, legends? Tales of old?”

Some endings were different, some stories strange but true, Some were very sad, and some were funny too.

Stories about their villages, none of them the same, Stories about Tasu, and Itut-Itut who lost his name.

“Let’s make them into books, that our children all can read, And then our past is saved,” “Yes!” the parents all agreed.

And so the books were made, lovely paintings put beside, The stories from the past, to celebrate with great pride."

This article is contributed by Fiona Wright, Anna White and Mike White, teachers of the British Council ELTDP, based in Kudat. Following are some pictures at the ELTDP symposium in Kuching, 4-6 March, where the two books from the Storybook Project were first shown.

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Nor Azhar Ishak: The Educator

8/2/2015

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Nor Azhar Ishak is a science museum educator who is passionate about children's books. He has been published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka after winning the consolation prize in the KotaBuku-DBP Picture Book Award 2013. This year, he won third prize in the YGL-Oyez! Picture Book Award. Here he takes some time to answer a few questions. Oyez!Books will be publishing Azhar's new book this year, Under the Sea, which he has illustrated making effective using of the batik technique; selected illustrations are shown below.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I studied Chemistry in Australia and went on to work as a chemist and as an engineer in Johor. But I now work at the Science Discovery Centre in Kuala Lumpur. I am a science museum educator by profession. My passion is in the development and education of people, especially the young. Being a children’s book author, illustrator and a storyteller feels right with my values.

How did you get interested in illustrating and writing?

As far as I can remember, I have always loved creating and looking at pictures. My father loves art and my mother is the creative one. My sisters helped shape my interest in children’s books. But as time went by, I fell in love with children’s picture book. They look simple yet there is a great deal of thought and effort that goes into creating one. There are so many picture books out there but it is not easy to find those which children really enjoy. I take it as a challenge to create one that they will find hard to resist! There are so many children book writers that I find inspiring but there’s something about Dr. Seuss books that touches me deeply.

How did you get started in batik painting and why did you decide to illustrate using the batik method?

I started to write a few years ago but I did not pursue it seriously due to some constraints. In 2012, I joined a workshop organised by Persatuan Penulis Negeri Sembilan (PEN) - Writers' Assocation of Negeri Sembilan, and Kota Buku. The workshop, facilitated by the nation’s foremost writers, Puan Mahaya Mohd Yassin, Nisah Haron and the artist Yusof Gajah gave me the basics for creating a picture book.

I have always been fascinated by batik but I never took it seriously. So I thought of trying my luck by entering the DBP-Kota Buku Picture Book Award 2012 using a batik medium. I won the consolation prize which encouraged me to explore the medium further. I researched to learn more about the technique and also learned from batik artists like Zakiah Mohd Isa, Yusof Gajah and Sulaiman Sehan.

Will you be illustrating using other medium in the future?

Defintely! I just love the brilliant colours of acrylic. It is also interesting to see how children are fascinated by the colours and texture of acrylics and how they keep wanting to touch them! My mentors, Yusof Gajah, Mie Mambo and other artists’ illustrations and creative passion have been a source of inspiration and example. I did an acrylic illustration in 'Alahai, Anak Gajah', published by Karangkraf, which will come out very soon.

What other stories do you have in mind?

I have so many stories that I would like to write and illustrate but it is a challenge to find time! There is a story about Wau (traditional kite) which I am working on, some drafts on animal stories (I love writing about animals), and I am developing a character based on the civet cat, an animal I find fascinating.

How do you find time to illustrate?

Since I work during the day and spend some time with my children in the evenings, I illustrate late at night, after they are all asleep. But most of the time I do illustrate on my off days especially during weekends. My wife and family help a lot, not only in assisting with some preparation beforehand, but also looking after the kids while I work. It is hard work but it pays off when I see the outcome.

What is your ambition in terms of writing and illustrating?

My favourite author-illustrator, Eric Carle once said that picture books are an introduction to literature for the very young reader. I hope to be able to encourage children to see how wonderful it is to be surrounded and touched by books. But my ultimate goal is to create books that will inspire children, encourage them to think creatively and critically and perhaps something that they can find solace in and companionship during difficult times.

Azhar with one of his batik illustrations.

Canting or waxing

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Mohd Khairul Azman Ismail: The Call to Art

2/2/2015

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Mohd Khairul started drawing when he was three years old. In primary school, he participated in art competitions and won a number of awards. Drawing and painting were his main hobby. However, when he entered secondary school, art was not one of the subjects offered. Nevertheless, he continued painting in his spare time.

After returning from Jordan with a major in Arabic studies, Khairul became a secondary school teacher based in Shah Alam. He is currently teaching Arabic language and Islamic studies.

He was introduced to picture book illustration when he attended the Book Council's Teachers Author Programme in 2012, in addition to other workshops organised by Kota Buku, PeRUPA (Malaysia Visual Art Association) and Shah Alam Gallery. He credits his two mentors, Yusof Gajah and Izzah Aziz for their coaching and advice.

Khairul recently won the second prize in the inaugural YGL-Oyez! Picture Book Award 2015, a joint award offered by the Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency and Oyez!Books. His submission, Where is Owly? is a story of a big brother looking for his younger brother who has gone missing. Here are a few pages from his submission.

Big brother realises that Owly is missing and goes searching for him...

the village...

through the woods...

and the paddy fields...

Khairul began creating the owl character at a workshop organised by PeRUPA and taught by Yusof Gajah. During the workshop, Yusof asked the participants to create characters based on shapes. "I think the owl is cute and of course, wise," says Khairul with a laugh.

Seeing shapes

Khairul has also illustrated three picture books written by his wife, Razisatul Asyifah Ismail. One of them, "Tolong! Saya Tak Pandai Berenang" (Help! I can't swim) is published under the Karangkraf 100 Picture Books Project and will be launched on 1st February.

"I hope my picture books will colour children's world, guide them, and they will remember them fondly when they become adults," says Khairul.

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Chooi Ling, Keiong: Fairy Dust and Fairy Tales

29/1/2015

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Artist and illustrator Chooi-Ling Keiong, sees the magic and wonders of every day life and paints them with her own special magic. Whether illustrating rabbits and chickens or a village scene and children at play, Chooi Ling's detailed work draws us in so that we too find ourselves in the magic of the ordinary.

Chooi Ling with two of her paintings from the Fairy Tales Series at a recent exhibition, Art Accent, Kuala Lumpur.

Chooi Ling's first picture book 'The Sweet Potatoes' which she illustrated, was published last year by Bridge Communications.

"I like to read children's picture books very much," says Chooi Ling. "I get lots of pleasure and inspiration from them. This makes me want to illustrate picture books. I feel satisfied when my ideas and imagination become visible."

Chooi Ling graduated with a Diploma in Fine Art from the Kuala Lumpur College of Art in 2002. She works hard to improve her work and has been attending workshops and doing a lot reading to improve her illustrations. With an eight-year old daughter, Chooi Ling has to find time for her art. She recently gave up her children's art class in order to have more time to paint. She carries out research for each artwork or project and once she has enough ideas, she will work every day until the work is done.

Here are some of Chooi Ling's illustrations:

Illustration for a picture book due to be published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and which won consolation prize in the DBP-KotaBuku Picture Book Award 2013.

Illustration for a picture book which won the third place, Calistro Prize 2012.

Metamorphosis captured

Chooi Ling's fairy tale world, selected for One Big Story, an initiative of the Asian Festival of Children's Content.

Looking at Chooi Ling's illustrations, it is clear that nature is her greatest source of inspiration.

"I like to observe the natural world; it amazes me and I am touched by it. I learn something new in every single animal and plant. There is so much knowledge waiting to be explored in nature. The way animals or plants grow, how they adapt to the environment, the shapes, colors, lines on their bodies... I always get inspiration from nature."

Illustration for a new book in honour of Hans Christian Andersen, The Last Dream of the Old Oak Tree, to be published by Oyez!Books.

Chooi Ling is represented by the Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency for her illustrations.

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The university drop out who became a publisher

8/11/2014

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When Arief Hakim was kicked out from university less than twenty years ago, his parents gave him two options: to help his grandfather at his oil palm plantation or to help them in their fledgling publishing company. Arief chose the latter because he wanted to remain in Kuala Lumpur where his friends were.

Today, 37-year old Arief is managing director of the PTS Media Group, a publishing company with an annual turnover of RM30 million.

Speaking at the Singapore Writers Festival recently, Arief presented some pretty impressive figures including the fact that some of their titles, especially low price Islamic titles and cookbooks, have sold more than a million copies and that some of their authors earn six-figure annual royalty.

Arief speaking at the Frankfurt Book Fair this year on digital publishing in southeast Asia.

PTS has about 3000 titles on their list; the company is active in social media with about 200,000 followers on their facebook page; their books are distributed in both traditional and non-traditional channels, from bookstore chains to convenience shops; and in both print and digital formats. Arief himself is the honorary secretary of the Malaysian Book Publishers Association where he plays an active role in addressing industry challenges, organising the annual ASEAN ebook conference, and lobbying the government.

But Arief is getting restless. The university drop out has come a long way. What next for him and the publishing company he has grown from when it was a start up? Arief is a strategic planner and PTS is often ahead of other publishers from first publishing Malay teen novels to playing an active role in social media. At a publishing symposium this year, Dato' Husammuddin, industry veteran and CEO of the large Karangkraf Media Group acknowledged that his company emulated PTS in reaching out to their readers through social media.

Arief is now seeing that some of their traditional markets are getting crowded and it's time to look for new blue oceans. And if it's any indication, PTS has set up new imprints Gedebook, #novelicious and Puteh Press; the first two publish contemporary young adult novels while Puteh Press's first book is a non-fiction in English that offers readers 'an alternative perspective into topics such as identity, love, education, community, and self-worth.'

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Emila Yusof invites you to contribute to her next book

6/10/2014

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Malaysian illustrator, Emila Yusof is planning her next book: Legendary Princesses of the World, following the success of her book, Legendary Princesses of Malaysia.

"My publisher, Oyez!Books and I were discussing the princesses we could include in my next book and we came out with the usual names - Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth... I wasn't planning to go to Frankfurt Book Fair this year as I didn't have the budget but suddenly I received sponsorship from Malaysian Airlines (MAS). Dina, the little girl character in two of my books with the third book coming out next year, is flying with MAS. Here's a picture of her:"

We digress but that's how Emila found herself attending the Frankfurt Book Fair this year. More than 7,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries are at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Surely this is the place to get contributors for Emila's next book on legendary princesses.

So here's the deal: Come to the Malaysian stand Hall 5.0 D25 and look for Emila Yusof. She will give you a simple form to fill and you can write briefly about a legendary princess, real or mythical, from your country. Should your princess be selected to be included in the book, Emila will illustrate your princess and you will get a copy of the book which will be published by the next Frankfurt Book Fair, with your name beside the story in recognition of your contribution. Please note that submission is only accepted during the fair.

Emila at Frankurt last year

Coming next: Legendary Princesses of the World

I can't resist it. Here's an illustration by Emila Yusof that is a favourite of mine.

And since we are on the subject, here are the two Dina books: the English and Malay edition - love how the covers have changed!

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Malaysia at the Frankfurt Book Fair : Hall 5.0 E25 & D25

5/10/2014

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Malaysia has had a country stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair for some years. This year is no different with the lead government agency, the National Book Council. The stand is at Hall 5.0 E25 & D25.

Country stands or collective stands enable several publishers to share the cost of the exhibition space, with each member publisher paying less than if they were to take the whole stand themselves. Likewise, Malaysian publishers wishing to join the country stand are required to pay a fee to the lead, usually government, agency. The fee varies from year to year.

The reason for this variation is not always clear; either way publishers have to calculate the return on their investment and hope the government can assist them in their efforts in this difficult yet important task of exporting literature and culture. Their groans seem to have been heard for this year, the Book Council, together with several government agencies, have pooled their resources so that publishers joining the country stand are exempted from having to pay any fee. This news was greeted in typical fashion by publishers - close to twenty of them signed up to join the country stand, possibly the largest number in the history of the Malaysian stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Publishing is many things but it is also about margins. Now that their costs are reduced, no doubt Malaysian publishers joining the country stand are hoping this may be their best year yet, encouraged by the support from their government.

The 50 Best Malaysian Titles for International Rights at last year's Frankfurt Book Fair

Asst. Director from the National Book Council, Lynn Rahman with the tabloid.

The National Book Council has also prepared a special catalogue for Frankfurt Book Fair - the 50 Best Malaysian Titles for International Rights. This annual catalogue has been well received and publishers whose books have been selected may also use the recognition sticker on their books, even after the fair. In addition, publishers attending the fair are also featured in a 16-page tabloid. The catalogue and tabloid are distributed free during the fair.

Finally, business breakfast ala Malaysia, which means delicious, is available at the stand, free of charge, for the first three days of the fair.

Visit the Malaysia stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair - it's good for your body and mind.

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Kailash is a White Raven 2014

4/10/2014

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Oct 2, 2014. Oyez!Books is delighted to be informed today that Kailash by Quek Sue Yian and Khairul Azmir Shoib is a White Raven 2014 and part of the newly designed White Ravens Catalogue of the International Youth Library.

The White Ravens catalogue is produced annually and contains information on international book recommendations in the field of children’s and youth literature. After 30 years, the 2014 catalogue appears in a new layout: it now has 112 pages containing 200 short book reviews plus full-colour images of all the book covers. We congratulate the author and illustrator for the inclusion of their book along with others selected from all over the world.

The catalogue will be published prior to the Frankfurt Book Fair, 8-12th October 2014, where it can be consulted in digital form at the booth of the International Youth Library. At the following Bologna Children’s Book Fair, all the 200 books included in the catalogue will be on display at the International Youth Library’s stand. This long tradition allows booth visitors to peruse the books at leisure, leafing through and exploring them in detail.

Illustrator Khairul Azmir Shoib aka Meme

A White Raven for Kailash

Author Quek Sue Yian

About the Internationale Jugendbibliothek / International Youth Library

The International Youth Library which opened in 1949, is the largest library for international children’s and youth literature in the world. Since 1983, the International Youth Library has been housed in Blutenburg Castle in Munich. The historical building complex dates from the 15th century and has an underground cellar which provides an extensive storage area for the unique book collection spanning 400 years.

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Mohana Gill joins Best of the Best, World Gourmand Award

Evi Shelvia: A world of her own

The Storybook Project

Nor Azhar Ishak: The Educator

Mohd Khairul Azman Ismail: The Call to Art

Chooi Ling, Keiong: Fairy Dust and Fairy Tales

The university drop out who became a publisher

Emila Yusof invites you to contribute to her next book

Malaysia at the Frankfurt Book Fair : Hall 5.0 E25 & D25

Kailash is a White Raven 2014

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