Author

Teacher, Singapore American School

Scott Riley is the award-winning author of several narrative non-fiction books for young readers, including The Floating Field (2021 Millbrook Press) and Rats to the Rescue (2024 Millbrook Press) . His work focuses on telling true stories of hope, innovation, and community from around the globe. His upcoming book, Rooted in Hope (2027 Millbrook Press), explores the story of Somali Bantu farmers in Maine. As a co-founder of Authors and Illustrators Abroad, Scott is passionate about bridging the distance between creators and international school communities, helping librarians and teachers bring stories and their storytellers directly to students.

Elementary Teacher Librarian

NIST International School

Laine Palendat is the Elementary Teacher Librarian at NIST International School in Bangkok, where she recently helped design a new purpose-built library. Laine is passionate about libraries as community hubs, inquiry as a way of thinking, and ethical engagement with emerging technologies like AI. When not loudly and passionately talking about books, Laine can usually be found reading about witchcraft and the fall of the patriarchy—sometimes at the same time.

Group Head of EMASI Libraries

EMASI Schools

Graduated in Library and Information Science from Simmons College (USA). Over 12 years of experience in public libraries, 3 years in newspaper e- library management, and 3 years with NGOs supporting literacy. Served as a consultant for Room to Read Vietnam, World Vision Vietnam, and Hope for Children (a CSR project of Samsung Electronics Vietnam). Acted as a trainer for Departments of Education and Training (DoETs) in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Dong Nai, and Da Nang.

A writer of 40 published children’s titles and currently marking 14 years in international school library leadership and management.(British Vietnamese International School, then EMASI International Bilingual Schools 

Lower Elementary Cybrarian 

International School of Beijing, China

Bec is the Lower Elementary School Cybrarian at the International School of Beijing. Overly enthusiastic about everything especially children’s literature, Australian Rules Football (go Doggies!) and food, glorious food, Bec is easily bribed with coffee and chocolate. 

Bec is a passionate advocate of social justice, female financial literacy, and finding ways to tread more lightly on the planet. The library hill she will die on is the right for students to read what they love.

Elementary Librarian

UNIS Hanoi

Carolyn has worked in a variety of educational roles since 1997, finally find her home in the elementary library. Originally from a small town in upstate New York, she has worked at school in Atlanta, Kobe, Cairo, Abuja, Guangzhou, and now Hanoi. She enjoys reading widely, traveling, running long distances, knitting socks, and cuddling with her dogs.

Primary Teacher-Librarian

Garden School, KL

I have worked at Garden School, Kuala Lumpur, for 6 years, both as Primary teacher-librarian and Whole-School. This presentation is influenced by my work with parents on purchasing books for themselves, Secondary students doing HPQ and EPQ and on our school's ongoing development of an 'AI Use Policy'.

UNIS Hanoi MS/HS Librarian

Deanna Howard (BA English, MA English, MLIS) is currently the Middle School/High School Librarian at UNIS Hanoi, a position she’s held for the last five years. Deanna’s education and past career experiences reflect her lifelong interest in literature, reading, and writing. She has lived in Asia for most of the last three decades, working as both an English teacher and a teacher librarian. Previously, she taught at a university and an international school in Seoul, as well as three British Columbia offshore schools in mainland China.