The vibrant world of children\u2019s literature is set to come alive at the Selangor Children\u2019s Book Fair from July 24 to July 28 at the PKNS Shah Alam Complex, thanks to a significant partnership between the Malaysia Board on Books for Young People (MBBY) and Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Selangor (PPAS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the helm of this exciting collaboration is Dato\u2019 Ahmad Redza Ahmad Khairuddin, President of MBBY, who shared insights into the organization\u2019s pivotal role in the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery child has their right. We must support children, we must engage them. We must instill Malaysian culture. We must understand their mindset and see from their perspective,\u201d Ahmad Redza emphasized, underscoring the central philosophy driving MBBY\u2019s initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 59-year old scholarly Ahmad Redza passionately advocates for every child\u2019s right to read, highlighting the transformative power of books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery child has a right to read, and read the right book. Books can breach the cultural and racial divide. We want the best for children,\u201d he stated. This vision aligns seamlessly with the book fair\u2019s objectives, aiming to bring children closer to their roots while broadening their horizons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of MBBY\u2019s core missions is to celebrate Malaysia\u2019s rich cultural heritage through literature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahmad Redza pointed out the necessity of prioritizing local content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have our colourful history and culture. Don\u2019t just rely on books from the West. We can look at local books and local content to look for similarities between communities.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This perspective is vital in fostering a sense of identity and unity among young readers, said Ahmad Redza who has been involved in MBBY since 2004.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While MBBY has always been a part of the Selangor Children\u2019s Book Fair, this year marks a significant milestone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis year we are playing a bigger role as a main partner,\u201d Ahmad Redza revealed. This expanded involvement reflects MBBY\u2019s commitment to fostering a reading culture and promoting Malaysian authors and illustrators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celebrating illustrators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Illustrators play a crucial role in the world of children\u2019s books, and Ahmad Redza is keen to shine a spotlight on them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe must celebrate our illustrators; they are our local heroes who can connect with our children through their work,\u201d he asserted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recognizing the impact of illustrations and comics in developing higher-order thinking skills among children, he added, \u201cChildren get higher order thinking skills through illustrations and comics. It\u2019s a good way to educate them on our stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The upcoming fair promises a dynamic lineup of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are bringing in authors and illustrators to talk about their books and work and current trends. There will be new talents and old hands,\u201d Ahmad Redza shared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These sessions aim to provide valuable insights and foster a deeper connection between the creators and their young audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At its core, MBBY\u2019s participation in the Selangor Children\u2019s Book Fair aims to achieve several key objectives: inculcating cultural values in children, bridging divides, nurturing understanding and building confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAdults must listen and understand children. We should not be set on our own rigidness. We have to help children come out of their shells,\u201d Ahmad Redza remarked, highlighting the importance of empathy and flexibility in guiding the younger generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Praising PPAS, Ahmad Redza described it as an \u201cexemplary institution\u201d. He highlighted the library\u2019s role in the book fair, noting, \u201cThey have agreed to give space to celebrate our illustrators and comic artists so that we can understand and appreciate their work and the thought process behind them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n This initiative will allow attendees to delve into the creative minds of local talents, enriching their appreciation for homegrown artistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Selangor Children\u2019s Book Fair is poised to be a celebration of literature, culture and creativity. With MBBY\u2019s dedicated involvement, it promises to be an enriching experience for all, bringing together the best of Malaysian children\u2019s literature and fostering a love for reading that transcends boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About MBBY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n MBBY is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy and a love for reading among young people in Malaysia. It aims to provide children and young adults with access to quality literature and to foster a reading culture in the country. It serves as the Malaysian national section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the key roles of MBBY is to create awareness about the importance of reading and the value of children’s literature. The organization works with educators, librarians and parents to advocate for the inclusion of diverse and culturally relevant books in school curricula and libraries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MBBY also organizes events such as book fairs, storytelling sessions and workshops to engage young readers and encourage them to explore the world of literature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ENDS<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The vibrant world of children\u2019s literature is set to come alive at the Selangor Children\u2019s Book Fair from July 24 to July 28 at the PKNS Shah Alam Complex, thanks to a significant partnership between the Malaysia Board on Books for Young People (MBBY) and Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Selangor (PPAS). At the helm of this <\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[238],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-12720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-liputan"],"yoast_head":"\r\n