USM PENANG, 8 May 2026 - The National Poison Centre (PRN), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through strategic cooperation with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), is set to publish 17 children's books relating to toxicology and poisoning to raise early awareness among the younger generation.

The scholarly books, presented in a light and easily understood format, are now in the final stage before publication after all manuscript drafts were reviewed through the Children's Book Manuscript and Storyboard Development Workshop held here recently.

Director of the National Poison Centre, Ts. Dr. Nur Azzalia Kamaruzaman, said the two-day workshop was organised to translate complex information in the field of toxicology into a form that is easier for children and teenagers to understand.

She said a total of 17 PRN writers, together with two illustrators, presented 17 manuscript drafts covering four main themes, namely antibiotic resistance, household chemical safety, the dangers of electronic cigarettes, and laboratory safety.

"The works were critically reviewed, with guidance focused on the use of appropriate language register, engaging story structure, and visual suitability without compromising scientific facts," she said.

According to her, the special manuscripts were reviewed by three main DBP editors led by the Chief Editor of the Children's and Young Adult Books Division, Noriyani Yusoff.

"The writers are now actively carrying out the final refinement process in accordance with national publishing guidelines.

"This noble effort by PRN and DBP is believed to be capable of producing high-quality educational manuscripts in the effort to foster poisoning prevention awareness among children throughout the country," she added.

Original Text & Photo: National Poison Centre, USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin