The 2016-2017 Best Reads National Children’s Book Awards

The Best Reads of 2016 and 2017 NCBA Winners are:

Takbo

Auri Asuncion Yambao. Makati City. Tahanan Books. 2016

...imagine children reading this book aloud and creating quite a ruckus. Everything about this book is fun - exactly how great childrens books are supposed to be.

Habulan

Kora Dandan-Albano, Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, Fran Ng (translation). Mandaluyong City. Anvil Publishing, Inc. 2016

“Habulan” can thrill, can entice, can capture.  It is inviting and enchanting to almost any reader.  It can make the heart pound. It can tickle the mind to look if a creature follows closely behind. 

May Gulong na Bahay

Genaro Gojo Cruz, Paul Imbong, Quezon City. Vibal Group. 2016

The team of “May Gulong na Bahay,” from writer and illustrator tandem to the publishing group, is able give us a rather special book.  Here is a book that strikes a good balance between simple, colorful illustrations and accurate, interesting use of language that, together, is able to appeal to its target audience and sustain their attention from start to finish. 

Si Kian

Weng Cahiles, Aldy Aguirre. Quezon City. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. 2017

The book “Si Kian” with it’s dreamy watercolour illustrations and a story that weaves a life tapestry of a simple joyous Filipino boy with a bright future ahead of him. The dream is cut short and turns into a nightmare with the senseless murder of Kian.

A Long Long Time Ago 
Michelline Suarez, Joonee Garcia, Divine Reyes, Benjo Catindig. Makati City, Tahanan Books. 2017,

Nakakaaliw at magaan ang pagkabuo ng aklat akma sa mambabasang milenyal. Kasaysayang nailahad para sa kabataan.

Hari ng Komyut 

Lisette Daluz. Quezon City. Adarna House. 2017

Hari ng Komyut puts into the spotlight the trials and challenges Filipinos encounter in our public transport system in a way that is lighthearted and comic -- but still drives a serious point.

Lost 

Rob Cham. Quezon City. Adarna House. 2016

For a wordless comic book to be good, the artist has to maintain the balance between what information is given and what is kept hidden for the reader to interpret on their own. Lost has found that balance. 

Melag 
Bong Redilla. Quezon City. Adarna House. 2016

Isinabuhay ang nagdaang panahon sa mundo ng kabataan sa probinsya ng Pangasinan gamit ang malikhaing dibuho, at paglalahad. Nakakaantig ng damdamin ngunit nakakatuwa.

Congratulations to all the winners!