Illustrator of the Month: Juno Abreu

The Bologna Children's Book fair is on going as I type this feature article in my blog. Our book series, the Disaster Kids Series: Earthquake, Flood, Fire and Volcanic Eruption (Gagatiga and Abreu, 2025 Lampara Books) is on display right now at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Of the 120 books selected in the rights catalog, our series made it. How timely that Juno Abreu, architect and illustrator of children's books sent over his answers to my questions for a blog interview.

And so, a few weeks after the successful launching of the Disaster Ready Kids Series at the Philippine Book Festival, Juno shares his creative process more extensively in this blog interview.

1. Each book in the Disaster-Ready Kids series tackles a different kind of calamity, yet your illustrations maintain a cohesive visual identity. How did you develop the overall look and emotional tone for the series?

I started by researching the target age group and the types of disasters that would be covered in the series. I wanted to create a visual identity that would be both engaging and reassuring for young readers. I experimented with different styles, I tried doing them traditionally with watercolors but I guess the look doesn’t exactly work on the series, so I tried doing them digitally and found a new style for the overall look, this is actually the first time I did the illustrations in this kind of style and I really liked how it turned out and found a cohesive look that would work across various disaster scenarios. I settled on a warm, inviting color palette to create a sense of depth and texture. Throughout the series, I aimed to maintain a consistent  emotional tone that would help children feel empowered and prepared, rather than scared or overwhelmed.

2. Your characters show such expressive faces– from fear to courage to relief. What’s your process in capturing the emotions of children in high-stress or emergency situations?

Capturing the emotions of children in high-stress or emergency situations requires a thoughtful and empathetic approach. To get into the right mindset, I try to imagine how a child might feel in a given situation - whether it’s fear, anxiety, or courage. I remembered feeling a bit anxious while doing the illustrations for putting and imagining myself in these scenarios. Hehe.

Also, this is kinda embarrassing to admit, I’m not sure if other artists do this too, what I do is, I put a mirror on my work desk and do the facial expressions myself and use it as reference. Haha! 

When illustrating a scene, I try to tap into the emotional tone of the story and convey it through the characters’ faces and body language. I believe that by showing a range of emotions, we can help children understand that it’s okay to feel scared or overwhelmed, but also that they have the power to stay safe and take action.

3. From fire to flood, you’ve illustrated a wide range of disasters. Were there particular scenes or scenarios that challenged you the most as an artist?

    One of the most challenging scenes and also my favorite spread was the volcanic eruption. I had to research and accurately depict the safety measures and precautions that people would take in such a situation, also, the details were much harder to do in terms of illustrating. 

Another challenging scenario was illustrating the earthquake scene. I had to balance the need to convey the danger and urgency of the situation with the need to avoid scaring or traumatizing young readers.

Overall, the biggest challenge was finding ways to depict potentially frightening or disturbing scenarios in a way that was both accurate and accessible to young readers.

4. What was it like working on  a series where your art could help children understand danger but also feel empowered and safe? What message did you hope your illustrations would carry?

Working on the Disaster-Ready Kids series was a rewarding and challenging experience. I hoped that my illustrations would carry a message of empowerment and resilience, showing children that they have the power to stay safe and take action in emergency situations. I hope that the Disaster-Ready Kids series will inspire young readers to take an active role in their own safety and well-being, and to develop a lifelong commitment to preparedness and resilience.

Visit Lampara Book's FB Page and IG account for updates on our books' availability. We can't wait to meet you again for book signing and photo ops!

The Disaster Ready Kids in Books Philippines Catalog, Bologna Children's Book Fair

 

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Poetry: At low tide

 

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ARMY Glow Up 2025: Block Prints

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Author Interview: Khristian Ross Pimentel

I was pleasantly surprised to meet Khristian Ross Pimentel at the Philippine Book Festival. We met in a DepEd training in Antipolo on children's story writing and illustrations previous to the pandemic. He is now a published children's book author under Johnny and Hansel Publications. He was at the PBF 2025 to sign books. Congratulations, Khristian! 

When I asked him for an interview in the blog, he agreed. And so, I present to you, Koko's World by Khristian Ross Pimentel.

1. What inspired you to write Koko's World?

My newest book from Johnny and Hansel Publications is entitled Koko's World (Ang Mundo Ni Koko), in which the character was drawn from one of the spreads of my wife Cathy's previous book where our characters KatKat and Bunso were running together with a boy.  We both thought of writing a new story about that boy. I decided to call him Koko.

In 2023, our daughter Katniss was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when the idea was conceived. As a children's book collector, I notice that there are very rare books that tackle or explore ASD as a topic on children's books although this was already popular as early as 1990s based on my research. Most of the story books that are available in the market are for elementary school children.  Our goal in this book is to cultivate awareness among very young readers that although we may all be different from one another, we can all live together in the same world. If parents and young children understand inclusivity, it is possible to make a better world.

2. Can you share your writing process—do you follow a routine, or is it more spontaneous?

Some of my works are products of ideas or concepts that arrive out of the blue. I usually write them down in my notebook or type them on my phone. Sometimes, I just keep on thinking about it, and when I can no longer contain the excitement, I write the first draft. Other times, some stories need to stay in a folder for a while. I get back to them whenever I encounter experiences related to those characters, conflict, or theme.

 

3. What do you hope readers take away from your book?

Like our strong belief in our previous books, we are confident that a story of a child with special needs is necessary and timely as cases are still rising and communities need to create a world that will be inclusive to all children.  As parents, we want our child to live in a world that acknowledges, respects, and values differences and inclusivity. We long for a world where everyone will accept our children the moment they leave our home. A world where they can be who they want to be. A world where they can be safe and loved.

Short Bio

Khristian Ross P. Pimentel or Coco graduated from Philippine Normal University and from the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he is currently taking courses to earn a PhD degree. Coco won some literary awards including an honorable mention in 2022 PBBY-Salanga for the story The Visit.  He is also a published author of Ang Mahiwagang Kahilingan Ni Papa Gong (Environment Management Bureau, 2023), The Visit (Johnny and Hansel Publications, 2023), The Magic Words (Chikiting Books, 2023), and Ang Itlog Ni Bunso (Johnny and Hansel Publications, 2022). 

Coco loves collecting books, reading, blogging, telling stories, writing, and most of all, teaching. He works as a master teacher in Antipolo City. He lives in Antipolo City with his wife Cathy and daughter Katniss Isla.

Description of the Book

From the makers of Ang Itlog Ni Bunso and Isang Daan Mata comes another story about a world where everyone belongs. Koko’s World (Ang Mundo Ni Koko) by Johnny and Hansel Publications is a story of a young boy who behaves differently from the other children. When the people around Koko do something, he often does the opposite. Will others understand Koko? Will Koko understand the people around him? Get to know Koko and enter his world. This book is intended for children ages three and above.

 

To buy Khristian Ross Pimentel's books, you may reach the following platforms:

Johnny and Hansel Publications, Inc.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnnyandhansel

Email: johnnyandhanselpublications17@gmail.com

Website: https://jandhpublications.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJOECpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZ_F0p4vXH_QCeQ_w_sOoy8jagF5X3J1UqRlGvArGuM6dfF32T1pGxNDwg_aem_0tyLCCBPePC-og164pVLdA

 

Books, Beats and BTS: He's Always Been This Hoseok

When Hoseok danced inside the elevator in the Butter MV, I was wrecked. He filled that small rectangular space with light and joy. His energy grabbed me in and my heart that was isolated by the pandemic opened to full bloom. Hoseok has that power. Hoseok has that charisma. This led me to listen to his first album, Hope World. It was illuminating in its playful riddling of life lessons and offering comfort along the way.

That’s why, I always believed in Jung Hoseok—not just as an idol, but as an artist, a visionary, and a storyteller. Long before the world applauded or stood in awe at his solo concert, I saw the spark. I saw the depth behind the smile, the intelligence behind the dance, the brilliance behind every verse.

Referencing Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Jules Verne, 1869) in his debut album wasn’t just source of inspiration. It was proof of the world he was building, the worlds he would take us to. As one of the pioneers of science fiction, Verne explored the themes of autonomy, curiosity and freedom in Captain Nemo— the same way Hoseok explored identity and agency in a highly structured industry while seeking for harmony. That kind of imagination, passion, discipline, and heart? That’s not ordinary. That’s Hoseok.

So today, as he takes the stage alone—bold, brilliant, and unapologetically himself—I want to say: To me, he’s always been this Hoseok.

And I’ll keep believing in every version of him yet to come.

#BTS_Jhope

My Five Characteristics of Children's Literature and Young Adult Literature

I was invited by college students from the UP Diliman Institute of Library and Information Science to give a lecture and author talk for a class of National Service Training Program (NSTP) students. I was tasked to provide them with ideas, concepts, and insights into my writing life. The class is assigned to write stories for children as part of their Literacy Training Service (LTS), a program focusing on teaching literacy and numeracy skills to communities.

For this engagement, I structured my talk into three sections: first, exploring what stories are; second, sharing my book Dear Nanay and the story behind its creation; and third, providing input on my personal writing process. During the session, students had the opportunity to ask questions, one of which was about my use of AI in writing. I responded openly, sharing that I do use AI and maintain transparency with my team and publisher. I explained that AI acts as my "thinking buddy," particularly in the pre-writing stage where generating ideas and exploring topics becomes more dynamic with its assistance. However, I emphasized that authorial choice remains central. At the end of the day, I make intentional decisions about what goes into my writing.

Another interesting discussion arose around bias and stereotypes. We acknowledged that biases are inherently present in all of us, making it impossible for stories to be completely bias-free. Instead, I encouraged the students to develop awareness of their own biases as well as those of others. This heightened awareness allows us to manage biases constructively, openly communicate about them, and collaboratively decide on the best approach when creating stories.

Additionally, I emphasized the importance of understanding the distinct characteristics of Children's and Young Adult Literature based on my experience as school librarian and children's book writer. Here they are, as shared during the Zoom call:

1. Children's and YA literature is the literature of hope.
2. Children's and YA literature celebrates our inner child and childhood experiences.
3. Children's and YA literature is the literature of legacy.
4. Creators of Children's and YA literature thoughtfully consider their audience's reading and literacy skills.
5. Children's and YA literature involves adults who care for children and teens, giving them agency and influence in selecting and using stories.

Finally, I shared with the class my new books, which will be showcased and available for purchase at the upcoming Manila International Book Fair in September. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Prof. Dan Dorado for initiating and leading this meaningful class project!

NSTP stands for National Service Training Program.

It's a Philippine civic education and defense preparedness program required for tertiary (college-level) students, established by Republic Act No. 9163 in 2001. The program aims to enhance civic consciousness, defense preparedness, and community service among Filipino youth.

NSTP has three components, from which students must choose one to complete as part of their graduation requirement:

1. Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) – Military training for defense preparedness.
2. Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) – Activities focused on community service and improving the quality of life.
3. Literacy Training Service (LTS) – Programs focused on teaching literacy and numeracy skills to communities.

Most students choose between CWTS and LTS, while ROTC is specifically oriented toward military and defense training.