Friends of the YRF

FRIENDS OF THE YRF

Jeffrey Comer

Jeffrey Comer is the teacher librarian at the Chinese International School of Hong Kong and the co-chair of the Hong Kong Battle of the Books committee. He is also a member of the book selection committee at a local literacy charity, Bring Me A Book Hong Kong.

Mio Debnam

Mio Debnam is the author of many books from picture books to novels, and a Regional Advisor of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She’s also a wife, mother and chief tummy-rubber for her blind pup, Alfie. Mio loves spinning stories, and sharing strange and fascinating facts with readers of all ages. Her latest books are: ‘Yuck! Disgusting things that are surprisingly useful”, “Taro and the Stag Beetle”, “Climate Change: Heatwaves and Big Freezes” and “Asa the Rock Cutter” (all Collins, 2022). Upcoming titles include: “Adam and Little Red” and “My Name is Miya” (Collins, 2023) and Festival Fun (Hodder, 2023)

Rachel Ip

Rachel Ip is an award-winning picture book author who writes fiction and non-fiction for our youngest readers. She’s an author ambassador for Bring Me A Book Hong Kong, the leading family literacy charity in Hong Kong.

Beth McNeilly

Beth McNeilly is the school librarian at Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong and has been a school librarian for over 10 years. She has worked in just about every aspect of the book business long before that, including as a volunteer for the Hong Kong Literary and Young Readers Festival during its early years. A passionate advocate of reading for all ages, Beth strongly believes in the power of stories, be they true or imagined, to educate, entertain and give us a reason to keep going every day.