Why MBBY?

I put up a post some time back about the MBBY (Malaysian Board on books for Young People) when they held their conference in July. But as Daphne Lee points out in a blogpost entitled Bringing Books and Children Together - But Where? And When? And How? this seems to a singularly ineffective organisation (presumably guzzling taxpayers' money) when promoting reading among children in Malaysia needs to be made a top priority.

Daphne has some tough questions for the MBBY and some suggestions for how the organisation could grow. But does anyone care to listen? Is there now anyone there at all? (The organisation's website seems to have completely disappeared!)

Stories and Children Belong Together

Stories and children belong together. A good story can stir their imagination and help them make sense of the world. It can show them that right can triumph over wrong, or keep their minds open to wonder. It can even make them laugh which is wonderful for the soul. ... By teaching children to love and respect books, we’re giving them a headstart to succeed in life. It encourages and fosters creative thinking skills, promotes reading as an enjoyable activity, provides an opportunity for children to grow and develop mentally, enhances language and vocabulary development and allows for quality family time.

Datin Paduka Hajjah Shahneem Haroum, president of the Malaysian Board on books for Young People is profiled by Vimala Seneviratne in The New Sunday Times, ahead of the three-day MBBY conference held from 1st July.

Inspiring Young Minds

Thought the children's writers (and wannabes!) among you might be interested in this (posted by Uthaya Sankar SB on an e-group) :

The Malaysian Board on Books for Young People (MBBY) is proud to present the Asia-Pacific Conference on Children's Book Publishing, the third such conference for MBBY, which will for the first time includes Asia Pacific participants. This is an ideal platform for individuals who have chosen to devote their creative energy to writing, illustrating, marketing and promoting books for children. Participants will be able to gain insights into new and innovative ways of production and promotion by learning from experienced professionals and exchanging tips with them.

With the theme "Inspiring Young Minds and Creativity", this conference is to be conducted in the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur on 1-3 July 2008.

For details, visit the website or e-mail the secretariat@ mbby.org or call Datin Paduka Hajah Shahaneem (019-2129796) .