Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind

Throughout the world, 774 million people are illiterate, and 2/3 of that number are women. Because of this, one of the biggest programs of the global literacy organization LitWorld is the LitWorld Girls Clubs for Literacy , a reading and writing program that empowers young women to tap into their extraordinary strengths and meet their personal needs. LitWorld Girls Clubs for Literacy provide support, mentorship, and a safe space for girls to learn, connect, and become part of an international network of young women, encouraging a global perspective and a global connection. LitWorld has 20 Girls Clubs for Literacy in the U.S., Kenya, Liberia, Ghana, Iraq, and the Philippines, and would like to expand to more countries in Asia. If you are in Asia and are interested in starting a LitWorld Girls Club for Literacy, please email girlsclubs@litworld.org. LitWorld staff provides training (via Internet video conference) and fully supports new partners as they launch this program. Together, w...

The Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) 2011 is: * the Asian Children’s Writers & Illustrators Conference * the Asian Children’s Publishers Symposium * the Asian Primary and Preschool Teachers Congress * and the Asian Children’s Media Summit It will be held at The Arts House in Singapore from May 26-28 (with a pre-event panel discussion on May 25), and this year's theme is Connecting with Connected Kids. "Once upon a cyberspace, children explored the world through libraries, bedtime tales and story books. Books are still around, but they are looking different. As technology puts media access into children's pockets and bedrooms, how do content makers stay connected with connected kids? Join experts from around the world at Asia's gateway to the international children's content market. Celebrate, contemplate and collaborate on exciting new ways to engage, educate and empower the world's children on a global stage through uniquely Asian content....

Picture Book Winner: Yasmin’s Hammer written by Ann Malaspina and illustrated by Doug Ghayka (Lee and Low, 2010) Picture Book Honor: Fly Free! written by Roseanne Thong and illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan (Boyds Mills Press, 2010) Children’s Literature Winner: Heart of a Samurai written by Margi Preus (Amulet Books, 2010) Children’s Literature Honor: Bamboo People written by Mitali Perkins (Charlesbridge, 2010) Young Adult Literature Winner: Shooting Kabul written by N. H. Senzai (Simon and Schuster, 2010) Young Adult Literature Honor: A Boy of Heart Mountain written by Barbara Bazaldua and illustrated by Willie Ito (Yabitoon Books, 2010) The Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature honor and recognize the literary and artistic merit of work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage. Click here to see the winners in the adult fiction and adult nonfiction categories. Congratulations to all! =D

* Check out my feature on middle grade author Wendy Wan-Long Shang over at Color Online . =D * Another link of interest (in case you missed it): "Children's Publishing in Asia" by Teri Tan . * CONGRATULATIONS to children's book writer and illustrator Shaun Tan for winning this year's Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award , the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature. * Speaking of awards for children's and young adult literature, there is a fantastic new one. The South Asia Book Award will be given annually in recognition of a published work of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or folklore, from early childhood to secondary reading levels, published in the U.S., Canada, or U.K., in English, which accurately and skillfully portrays South Asia or South Asians in the diasporas. Very exciting!

Now available is the picture book - for ages 4-8 - Dream Big, Little Pig! written by Kristi Yamaguchi (yes, the Olympic figure skater!) and illustrated by Tim Bowers (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2011). Dream Big, Little Pig! is the fun and inspiring story of Poppy, a pot-bellied, waddling, toddling little pig who wants to be a star. Poppy dreams of being a posh prima ballerina, a soulful singer, a big-time splashy supermodel, a spectacular ice-skating star, and the first sky-diving pig. With the support and encouragement of her mother, grandparents, and best friend, Poppy works hard and pursues all of her dreams. She doesn't achieve all of them, and several people tell her to just give up. But Poppy is a plucky little pig and she persists until she finds what is right for her. You'll be cheering for her all throughout the story! With its pink-purple-glittery book design, adorable illustrations, hopeful and positive tone, and story about patience and perseverance, Dream Big, Li...

All I could do yesterday was follow the news and try to contact my friends in Japan. Now, more than ever, I have Asia in the heart and the world on my mind. I pray for all the people and countries affected by the earthquakes and tsunami, but most especially for Japan. Stay safe, everyone.