The Brunei Darussalam Library Association (BLA) is organising a two-day seminar on ‘Children’s Picture Books: Unlocking Wonder and Curiosity’ from October 21 until today at the Ruang Minda of Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s (UBD) library.
UBD Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Pengiran Dr Mohd Iskandar bin Pengiran Haji Petra officiated the opening ceremony yesterday.
The event began with the recitation of Doa, followed by welcoming remarks from the seminar chair Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Zainal.
Two keynote addresses were delivered by Executive Director of the Singapore Book Council William Phuan and children’s author Evelyn Wong. The day also featured two panel sessions.
Panel ‘A’ showcased local children’s authors Dr Malai Zeti Sheikh Abdul Hamid, Tina Afiqah and Stephanie Straatman. Panel ‘B’ highlighted ‘Poetry in Motion’ by Dr Nurul Izzatti binti Haji Mohammed Jamil, concluding the day’s proceedings.
Today’s seminar will feature another keynote address and two panel sessions, including a Creative Writers Forum, and will close with a formal ceremony.
The seminar is organised to mark BLA’s 38th anniversary.
It draws inspiration from the Asian Festival of Children’s Content, organised by the Singapore Book Council, which promotes children’s stories with Asian and local themes.
The seminar aims to recognise the work of local children’s authors, digital content creators, illustrators, and translators, while promoting Brunei children’s literature at local, regional, and international levels. It also fosters collaboration with libraries for research and lifelong learning, ensuring accessibility for the community and encouraging children to read, learn and explore.
The seminar, open to librarians, writers, illustrators, reading specialists, early childhood educators, publishers, book lovers and parents, features three keynote speakers and 14 young local authors displaying their published works at the library foyer. – Lyna Mohamad
