Today is Araw ng Pagbasa. Trina Velilla-Milan, children's book author and doting parent to a teenager, has an interview on books, reading and the relationships we foster as readers for life.
1. What books define your
writing life?
As a preschool teacher, I was exposed to reading a lot of
children’s books. I, then realized the importance of these books in a child’s
development and in beginning reading. How books are introduced at a young age
will help the child appreciate books better. Later, then did I discover that
some children’s books are more than just words in pages but can be also
symbolic once read more deeply.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” By: Eric Carle and “The
Giving Tree” By: Shel Silverstein defined my writing life. Incorporating art in
the illustrations with simple, easy to read words for beginning reading and
with a deeper meaning and lesson that can be applicable to children young and
old.
2. What books would you
recommend to your son, Sandro, now that he’s a teenager?
Great question! I would like to start simple. He has been
reading the books assigned in his Reading classes but aside from that, I would
like him to read “Who Moved My Cheese” By: Spencer Johnson, an easy read on how
to see life. Understanding that life can get hard and other circumstances may
not be as predictable but learning to go with it, to listen, to learn and to
equip oneself with the right tools to navigate thru life.
3. What book or story you
wish you had written?
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what
is essential is invisible to the eye.” – The Little Prince” By: Antoine De
Saint-Exupery (1943)
The Little Prince is a book I wish I had written. A story that can be
read over and over. A book with a lot of takeaways. Observations on life,
relationships and human nature topics that interests me. This book helped me
grow and there would be new learnings after every read. The famous quote is
life changing to many and a great reminder for us to realize that sometimes it
is in our heart of hearts that know what our eyes failed to see. What is
relevant to one is something we cannot see but could be something we feel.
4. Which author of
children’s book do you wish to have a conversation with?
I wish to have a conversation with the most-translated,
most-adapted, most-read and most beloved children’s book author Antoine De
Saint-Exupery. Conversations on life, human nature and how he came up with such
a timeless story that even after so many years, his story is still alive in all
of us.
5. How do you select books to read – for your own and for Sandro?
Most of the books I read are self help books. Books that can help me be a better person, creating my attitude, understanding myself and human nature in general. Unfortunately, Sandro is not much of a reader. Not as much as I would want him to be. I am still hopeful and patiently opening his mind to the world of books. Starting with the easy books like “Together is Better” By: Simon Sinek. This book can be used a conversation starter. Throwing in some comics too to get him to read and sustain his interest.
Trina was our featured author last October in the blog where she talked about her children's book with us, What the Sun Says to the Moon. Read the interview here!
Information on her book orders:
ORDER LINK:
https://www.ukiyotophilippines.com/product-page/what-the-sun-says-to-the-moon
GOOGLE PLAY:
https://books.google.com/books/about/What_The_Sun_Says_To_The_Moon.html?id=yOmoEAAAQBAJ
Last copies of the books are available at the Pinto Art Museum
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=pinto+art+museum&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ph&client=safari#
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