Dim's Write Stuff

I first met Leslee Udwin overseas last year and caught of glimpse of her provocative film, India’s Daughter. It moved me beyond words. As does Leslee’s immense spirit and drive. She is a phenomenal speaker and ardent believer in making change happen – through Think Equal. She also personally endorsed At The End of Holyrood Lane * for Nicky Johnston and I and is actively pursuing Kids’ Lit creators in an attempt to initiate change in the very young through powerful, persuasive storytelling. I am heartened to see that this is happening. If you get a chance to hear her speak, please consider going and supporting this immense cause. If you can’t maybe take a moment to listen, read and explore more and then please pass this onto to all and sundry. It is so very very important. Leslee Udwin, a BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker made the documentary :India's Daughter which won multiple awards (including the Peabody) and sparked a movement to stop violence against women and gi...

From the second I heard Founder and President of Think Equal , Leslee Unwin utter the words of Socrates, ' education of the head without education of the heart is no education at all ' I knew this lady was so much more than just an advocate for change.   Helming the mighty force that is Think Equal , Leslee truly believes that through the process of narration, young people have the opportunity to develop their empathetic abilities - through stories, reading, conversations and experimental learning, change is made. We share a similar conviction, that books and story mediate empathy and create emotionally intelligent, sympathetic human beings who become critical thinkers able to self-regulate. It is why I embrace picture books with difficult subject matter. It is why Leslee supports the intent behind At The End of Holyrood Lane . Today I thank Leslee for her generous words of endorsement and applaud her and all that she does to empower communities across the globe...

'Books have a powerful way of triggering the imagination of children and building their understanding of the world.' CEO  Elaine Ng of the National Library Board, Singapore This was a sentiment echoed not only in my own seminar at this year's Asian Festival for Children's Content 2017 (AFCC) but in many other sessions I attended and moderated for as well.  The official AFCC 2017 program, which ran from 17 - 21 May 2017, is nearly 90 pages long bursting with over 120 conference sessions and book-related events for delegates and the general public. That's a lot of talking, work-shopping, pitching and exchanging. I was delighted to be in the thick of it having been invited to present and launch my latest picture book there. I can but hope to reproduce the animated vibe and sense of camaraderie I experienced wondering up and down the multi-floored, air-conditioned halls of the mighty National Library, but I'm going to try... Leslee Udwin punchin...