Kuala Lumpur, 13 Dec – Members of Malaysia’s children’s book community converged in the capital today for the MBBY Honour List 2026 Certificate Presentation Ceremony, a major event recognising excellence in Malaysian children’s literature and highlighting books with strong potential for international engagement.
Held at Mayor’s Courtyard, Jalan Tangsi, the ceremony marked the conclusion of a selection cycle that attracted more than 100 titles selected and submitted by publishers, editors and authors nationwide, according to Dato’ Ahmad Redza Ahmad Khairuddin, President of the Malaysia Board on Books for Young People (MBBY).
Dato’ Ahmad Redza said the Honour List has become an important benchmark for quality and a gateway to global platforms such as the IBBY Honour List, which celebrates outstanding children’s books from around the world, and promotes rights negotiations and international readership for Malaysian works.
From the submissions, 50 titles were placed on the recommended MBBY Honour List 2026, with certificates presented to all selected titles and their publishers at the event. Dato’ Ahmad Redza highlighted that this represented a broad cross section of creative voices, genres and artistic styles, signalling both the growing maturity of local children’s publishing and its readiness to engage global audiences.
The evaluation was led by a professional panel chaired by Dr. Md Sidin Ahmad Ishak, Professor at Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) and Deputy President of MBBY. The panel assessed entries across three categories, Author, Illustrator and Translator, using criteria that emphasise literary quality, visual strength, cultural authenticity and universal appeal.
Prof. Md Sidin noted in his report that this year’s submissions reflected growing diversity in genre and form, from picture books and folklore to poetry, information books and interactive formats, signalling increased experimentation and confidence within Malaysia’s children’s publishing landscape.
From the list of 50 selected titles, two titles were shortlisted as Malaysia’s official candidates for the IBBY Honour List 2026. In the Author Category, Chempaka dengan Piano by Nisah Haron was recognised for its compelling portrayal of a young girl navigating sensory challenges with resilience and heart. The novel’s sensitive characterisation and narrative depth offer readers an empathetic window into experiences that are both specific and universal.
In the Illustrator Category, The Water Folks Return Home, illustrated by Chinn Yinn, was selected for its evocative visual storytelling. Through thoughtful composition and symbolic imagery, the book traces the journey of mythical water beings returning to transformed landscapes, conveying themes of renewal, belonging and environmental interconnection.
While the Translator Category received entries this year, the panel did not endorse a nomination for the IBBY Honour List 2026. Prof. Sidin observed that the smaller submission pool in this category underscored ongoing challenges in producing translations that meet high editorial standards.
The ceremony was supported by key partners and dignitaries, including Puan Hasliza Abdul Hamid, Deputy Senior Director of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, and Tuan Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Mansor, President of the Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA), both of whom were present as guests of honour.
Their participation reflected broad institutional interest in strengthening Malaysia’s children’s literature sector and expanding its cultural footprint.
As Malaysia prepares its final submissions for the IBBY Honour List 2026, this year’s outcomes demonstrate a vibrant but selective literary landscape, one marked by increasing artistic ambition and a growing commitment to producing stories that resonate both locally and internationally.