Kabilan

The Selangor Children’s Book Fair, set to take place from July 24 to July 28 at the PKNS Shah Alam Complex, will feature two fresh-faced illustrators who promise to inspire and captivate visitors with their unique storytelling styles.

Tunku Yusrina, a lecturer at UiTM, is a trailblazer in the field of motion comics. Her debut work, ‘The Echoes Beneath: The Life Of An Independent Musician’, premiered on YouTube in March 2022 and has since been converted into a book.

Motion comics blend elements of traditional print comics with animation, featuring expanded panels, sound effects, voice acting and animation.

“I am the new kid on the block. My style is different from most here,” says Tunku Yusrina.

“It is a type of digital comic. My work is a combination of animated comics; it has dialogue bubbles and panels with voiceovers.”

Her work, which spans five episodes, highlights local indie musicians and has received positive feedback from viewers.

“We did all the production work ourselves. It was nine months of hard work but totally satisfying. I am thinking of a sequel now,” she shares with a smile.

At the book fair, Tunku Yusrina hopes to promote her motion comics to a wider audience and inspire children with this innovative genre.

“I believe the children will enjoy motion comics,” she says, adding that she also wants to see more female comic artists entering the scene.

Comic book artist Mohammad Yazid is renowned for his poignant and humorous depictions of family life.

His series, ‘Diary Of A Work-From-Home Dad (Volume 1)’, documents the struggles and joys of raising a young daughter with a rare disease that causes developmental delays.

“I started drawing single-page short stories whenever I was free to document my happy, sad, frustrating as well as comedic moments as a young father,” says Mohammad Yazid.

“As a storyteller, I wanted these memories immortalized as a visual record that my kids can look back on fondly when they are older or when I am long gone.”

Mohammad Yazid’s work not only preserves family memories but also sheds light on the lives of those with developmental disorders and their families.

“Perhaps it’s in the hopes of encouraging a culture of understanding and support that will make it easier for us and those like us to maneuver through our daily lives, especially in public spaces,” he explains.

His soft-spoken and introversive nature belies the impact of his work. His full time job is to draw illustrations for major international comic book publishers which feature well-known comic characters.

Mohammad Yazid continues to share his stories on social media and is currently working on a second volume in print.

“These drawings are my therapy. I will be at the book fair to share my story. Maybe the stars of my book, my daughters, be present,” he says.

Inspiring the next generation

Both Tunku Yusrina and Mohammad Yazid exemplify how illustrators can use their craft to tell deeply personal and socially relevant stories.

Their presence at the Selangor Children’s Book Fair will not only showcase their talents but also inspire young visitors to explore their creativity and consider the power of storytelling.

Whether through the innovative medium of motion comics or the heartfelt depictions of everyday life, these fresh faces are sure to leave a lasting impression on all who attend.

ENDS

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