Book launch by Voice of the Children

Voice of the Children (www.voc.org.my) is launching two new books in its series for children. Fin the Brave shows a little fish overcoming the challenges of statelessness, and Who is My Family? The Story of Kailash the Little Zebra is about a zebra refugee who finds a new home. The books are published by Voice of the Children and written and illustrated by local authors and artists. Previous books in the series are Cats in the Rubbish and The Little Dancing Bear. The books and use stories of animal characters to present issues faced by disadvantaged children: child labour, street children, refugee/asylum seekers, statelessness, and poverty. All titles are offered at RM35.00.

Voice of the Children is a non-governmental organisation that advocates on behalf of children in Malaysia. VoC was established in 2008 to fill a gap in existing children’s services, which traditionally have specialized in caring for children by supplying food, shelter, education and other direct services. By focusing instead on legal and policy issues affecting children, VoC occupies a distinct niche in Malaysia. VoC aims to be a resource for both service organizations and the legal community by providing information and advocacy on laws, policies, and treaties that impact children.

Date: Saturday, 10th December 2011
Time: 5.00pm
Place: Silverfish books
Address: 28-1, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603-228 448 37

Admission free, all welcome.
Seating is limited, so please come early.

MalaysiaKu2011 - Imagining Malaysia

Malaysia Day event on 16th September 2011 at the Bangkung Row (Jalan Bankung), Bulit Bandaraya, Bangsar from 3-9pm, with 40 “Pasar Malam” like tables selling food, items etc.

Some of the booths (this is an early list, the programme is still being tweaked): Gerai Orang Asli, Silverfish Books, Country Farm Organics, SPCA – dog adoption, Persatuan Warisan Sarawak, Voice of the Children, Womens Aid Organisation, IDEAS, PUSAKA, Bar Council, Loyar Burok, Sisters in Islam, Nur Salam, Harvest Centre, Seksuality Merdeka, Fiesta Feminista, WWF, Matahari Books, Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd, Malaysian Youth Climate Change Network, Transparency International, Andante.

DISCUSSIONS AND TALKS

1. Dinner Talk -- Organiser: IDEAS -- Time 7PM-10PM --  Place: Cava -- By Invitation Only
2. Discussion Forum: “Voices of the Moderates” -- Organiser: CPPS --Place: Opus -- Time: 3-6PM -- Open To Public
3. Dinner Talk: Conversation on culture with Farish Noor and Eddin Khoo -- Organiser: PUSAKA --   Time 7PM-10PM --  Place: Opus -- By Minimum Donation of RM200 per person (inclusive of buffet dinner). Proceeds raised to support PUSAKA’s efforts to preserve Malaysian traditional performances.
4. Discussion Forum: “In Bed With Malaysia: Exposing the Rakyat's Sexuality” -- Organiser: Seksuality Merdeka --     Time: 3-6PM -- Place: Cava --  Open to Public
5. Launch of “Found in Malaysia Volume 2” with stories from featured persons -- Discussion forum: “Malaysian Writing in English – The Silverfish Experience” -- Organiser: Zi Publishing/Silverfish --  Time: 3-6PM --  Place Opus Private Room -- Open to Public
6. Youth discussion forum on “Prejudice and Stereotyping in Malaysia”-- Organiser: Sisters in Islam -- Time: 7-10PM --  Place Opus Private Room -- By Minimum Donation of RM50 per person (inclusive of buffet dinner). Proceeds raised to support Sisters in Islam.
7. Debate on Environment vs Development -- Organiser: Malaysian Youth Climate Change Justice Network -- Time: 3-6PM -- Place: Leonardo’s Dining Room -- Open to Public
8. Talk on: Constructed Landscapes by Anurendra Jegadeva & Yee I-Lann -- Presented by the Malaysian Art Book for Children -- Time: 3-6PM -- Place: Leonardo’s Wine Loft -- Open to Public
9. Undi Malaysia Project -- Organiser: Pusat Rakyat -- Time: 7-12PM -- Place: Leonardo’s Dining Room and Wine Loft -- By Minimum Donation of RM150 per person (inclusive of buffet dinner). Proceeds raised to support Undi Malaysia Project.

STREET FESTIVAL - PERFORMANCES (Venue: stage, 5.00pm onwards, Open to Public)

1. Singers Amirah Ali, Azmyl Yunor with special appearance by the Effing Show
2. 6to8 Accapella Group
3. Nose flute performance by Raman Bah Tuin
4. My Constition Skit
5. Acrobatic Lion Dance
6. Traditional Sabahan Dance, Traditional Sarawakian Dance, Sape Performance
7. Traditional Dikir Barat performance in the style of Main Tewas with 2 groups of up to 75-100 performers from Kelantan with legendary Daud Bukit Abal
8. Candle Lighting Ceremony and Negaraku
9. Jom Joget with The Rozells with PRamlee, Jimmy Boyle, etc tunes.

BANGKUNG STREET BAZAAR (Curated by Bijou Bazaar, Bangkung Street, 3-9pm, Open to public. Jom Makan.) -- Featuring over 50 stalls selling various food, clothing, items, face painting, etc. Fun, food and more for the whole family.

PARTICIPATING NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION EVENT PARTNERS (Participating NGOs will be setting up stalls aimed at educating the public on their various causes, Bangkung Street, 3-9pm, Open to public)

1. Arts, culture, books: Persatuan Warisan Sarawak KL, Gerai Orang Asli, Pusaka, Silverfish Books, Matahari Books, Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators
2. Social Issues: Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), Womens’ Aid Organisation (WAO), Voice of the Children, My Constitution/Bar Council, Undi Malaysia – Pusat Rakyat, Sisters in Islam, Childline, Seksualiti Merdeka, Fiesta Feminista, Transparency International Malaysia
3. Community: We R Malaysia, Yayasan Chow Kit, Harvest Centre, Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd
4. Environment, animals: Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network, Malaysian Nature Society, WWF -Malaysia, SPCA

.

Book Launch -- The Female Cell

Book launch of The Female Cell by Rumaizah Abu Bakar on Saturday, 21 May at 5.30 pm

Venue: Silverfish Books
Address: 58-1 Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru
              59100 Malaysia
Tel: +603-228 448 37

20 stories (all previously unpublished) by Rumaizah Abu Bakar in her first book that display an acute sense of observation, with humour and irony but without prejudice or pandering, in minimalist sketches with an uncanny knack for suggesting danger in even the most mundane. If you have read her initial works in the News From Home anthology, see how she has matured.


Rumaizah's stories are unpretentious and delightful. These short vignettes of human emotions and interactions are perfect for that rainy afternoon, accompanied by tea and biscuits. These stories have light in them.
-- Dina Zaman, author of I am Muslim --

Whether she is describing the kaleidoscopic panorama of Kuala Lumpur, or the prickly solitude of a traveller in Turkey, Rumaizah demonstrates a generous capacity for observation. A quietly assured debut collection.
-- Alfian Sa'at, writer, poet and playwright --

Admission free

Children's Book Week

Events: Childrens' Picture Book Week

From 2-7 May, Silverfish Books will be hosting a Picture Book Week with special promotions of selected picture books published in Malaysia. A total of 20 titles will be displayed. Written and/or illustrated by Malaysians, these books bring to us stories that are uniquely our own including stories from East Malaysia.

Venue : Silverfish Books
58-1, Jalan Telawi,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur

This Picture Book Week is aimed not only at highlighting local writers and illustrators but also to show the important role that picture books play. Picture books can be introduced to children who have not learned to read and are effective for inculcating love of reading among young children. Picture books can be read aloud or silently and are enjoyed by both children and adults. The illustrations and text add to the total reading experience and enjoyment of picture books. They can be concept books, board books, pop-up books or wordless books.

Participants
1. Yusof Gajah
Malaysian artist Yusof Gajah with his iconic elephant images is also an award-winning children’s book illustrator.
2. Datin Rossiti Aishah Rashidi
Author of ‘Manja the Orangutan’, Datin Rossiti is an advocate for a green lifestyle and being guardians of our environment.
3. Emila Yusof
Blogger and up-and-coming illustrator, Emila Yusof has translated her love of gardening and plants into a beautiful picture book and a set of flashcards.
4. Mie Mambo [aka Nur Azmi]
Graphic novelist and musician, Mie Mambo is presenting ‘Tapir’ who leaves the rainforest for the bright lights of KL.
5. Voice of the Children
VOC is an NGO whose mission is to advocate for and promote law and policy reform to protect the rights of the child. They have published two picture books with a message on street kids and child labour.
6. OneRedFlower Press
OneRedFlower Press publishes picture books that promote multiculturalism and encourage children to appreciate multiple cultures.
7. Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Malaysia (SCBWI)
The Society aims to provide support and training for Malaysian writers and illustrators and will be presenting their coming programmes.

Saturday, 7 May 2010, 5.00 at the close of the week-long promotion.
1. Reading of a book by Yusuf Gajah by popular TV host Sarimah Ibrahim
2. Free art and creativity workshop for children with Yusof Gajah. (Requires registration. Please call Phek Chin of Silverfish Books Tel: 228 448 37
3. Datin Rossiti Aishah Rashidi will preview  her new picture book.
4. Voice of Children -- preview of their new picture book on refugee children.
5. Presentation by One Red Flower

Admission free.