Book Reviews: Books For Hope and Healing 2020

As we ease our way out of a tough and troubled 2020, here are books I have read that speaks of hope and healing. 

Sinta radiates warmth that brings back memories of childhood afternoons spent playing with cousins and friends in the neighborhood. Sinta, the child, is curious, observant and introspective. Having parents who listen and are open enough to talk through her fears and anxieties, she is able to conquer them and understand herself with confidence. Ana Digi’s first novel for children is a comfortable and reassuring read in this time of challenges and difficulties.

On a personal note, I thank the book creators for tackling issues that have relevance and meaning to readers young and old that will outlive this pandemic.

Minh Le’s rendition of the Green Lantern: Legacy (DC, 2020) is an ode to a beloved grandmother, a collective symbol of a community’s past and future as well as an homage to his own. This graphic novel recognizes innovation, creativity and the danger of having ambition with no integrity. It believes in the capability of young people who, despite their need for guidance and mentoring, are active participants in shaping the world to be a much better place. Andie Tong’s illustrations and color palette are captivating!

Worth having on the school library’s digital or physical shelf.

In Pagkatapos ng Unos (PBBY,2020) Monzon creates a splendid visual narrative of hope and perseverance that readers of all ages can relate to. The wordless book shows tragedy and disaster but every page is a work of art and of the heart. A reminder that well made and beautiful things in times of chaos and confusion can still be found.

Don't miss out on this wordless wonder of a story!

Bibliotherapy Q and A: Senior High School Students, Reading and Technology

To continue with the Bibliotherapy Q and A, here are two more questions from the webinar. Here are links to the previous blog posts: set 1 which is about retellings of classic tales and set 2 which is about access to books and library services. 

What techniques can we do to create bibliotherapy for senior high school students? How we can convince them to read.

First, we have to know what reading is. Research in literacy teaching and learning informs us that reading can be defined and understood from many lenses or disciplines. In education, reading is seen as a series of developmental stages (Chall, 1983). Reading is also a process. Rosenblat (1990) theorised that reading is an interactive process where in the reader and the text engage and connect efferently and asethetically. The reader plays an active role in the construction of meaning and in comprehension the message of the text.

Senior High School students fall under the stage where they are capable of understanding multiple viewpoints. They can respond to the text in varied ways. They learn in this process of understanding and clarifying their responses to text or literature they encounter either in formal schooling or in every day. Here are my top three activities you can do with your junior high school and high school students.

1. Reading Challenges like the one Gene Luen Yang advocates. The Reading Without Walls reading challenge by Yang, a well loved comic book creator, can be fully accessed in the link provided for. Offer your high school students an array of different books and materials to read. Expose them to as many forms of literature as possible.

2. Book Vlogs and Book Trailers. Have them respond to books and stories they have read through blogging, vlogging and book trailers.

3. Create an online reading room or virtual reading where students can access digital libraries for free.

How do you encourage (reading to) children of today (who are) engrossed to technology and social media gaming etc.?

We need to take the printed book as it is and the same can be said about media and technology. We need to see how different these technologies are from each other and also understand what makes them similar to each other. We do not have to pit books against online resources. We often speak of balance in tech use, but, we also need to acknowledge that different kinds of technologies, or a mix of them, can address many modalities of learning.

So, for this question, my answer is very similar to the one above. As librarians we need to create and design learning spaces and environments where readers can choose reading materials, set their own goals or criteria for reading and using tech as we provide a safe space for them to be and get involved in their process of creating and communicating their responses.

This means, we have to learn with our readers. We are learners ourselves.

Paghilom at Pag-asa sa Panahon ng Pandemya: 3x3 Best Reads by Audrey Anday

Here is Ms. Audrey Anday's 3x3 Best Reads. Librarians read!

Allow me to share my output for the second priming activity, for the webinar-workshop Paghilom at Pag-asa sa Panahon ng Pandemya: Kamusta ka? Kamusta na? Magkamustahan Kata sa Panahon ng Pandmeya!

 

Here are three books I considered as my best reads for the past two years, with my simple review of the book in three sentences and complete bibliographic data of each book. 

 

Mama said there’d be days like this (but she never said just how many) by Charlene Ann Baumbich, published by Guideposts, 1995.

 

This book served as divine summation of stories about good, bad and dubious days that I helped me laugh at my own escapades. It reminded me of certain Someone I need to remember and hold close, days that I treasure so much from yesterday events and as long as my childhood. Truly, everyday is a gift, everyday offers a chance to giggle and backslap, belly laugh and hug, cry and dream, love and forgive, something my Mama used to tell me.

 

A little salty to cut the sweet: Southern stories of faith, family and fifteen pounds of bacon by Sophie Hudson, published by Tyndale House Publishers Inc.,  2013.

 

How this book was written also has a different way of touching my heart. It made me recall family days, our gatherings, meals and stories we share  that really became our sources of nourishment. This book illustrates how God faithfully teaches us deep lasting lessons about loyalty, love and more about Him.

 

Language the language of prayer by Joyce Huggett, published by The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1994.

 

As the saying goes, Communication is the lifeblood and heartbeat of every relationship, that is why I am delighted to have this guide as I explore the heart of prayer. It also emphasized the importance of having a prayer journal and creatively take note of the promises and revelation of words spoken/written. Silent time with God in an established prayer corner/prayer room reserved for quiet prayer is a sacred time is very important.

 

ZarahG's Read Aloud and Storytelling for Hope and Healing - For Middle Grades

Because it is Library and Information Services Month, here is a video of a read aloud and storytelling session I made that makes use of a bibliotherapy framework. I used one of the stories in the anthology Hope, Where Are You (Doucet and GoRu, 2020). I hope this can be a helpful to you and your readers in the school library.

Here is a guide for the flow of the session. 

Heart Mapping - 5-10mins (pause the video) Summary and reflections - 10-20 mins (pause the video) COVID-19 Story Beginning Middle End Framework - 30 mins asynchronous (pause the video) Encourage students to submit/share their works and display them in the library via online platform. This will complete the bibliotherapy process or experience. You can also generate feedback and comments from others.

Bibliotherapy Q and A: Miyawing Kuting and Reaching Out to the Community During COVID-19

To continue with the Bibliotherapy Q and A, here are two more. Click this link for the first set of questions I answered early this week.

Pano po mag avail ng books na nabanggit niu po Ma'am? How can I avail of the books you presented, Ma'am?

The book, Miyawing Kuting, is part of the Bulilit Books series. It was a commissioned project of the Nutrition Council of the Philippines Publishing Company (NCPPC). You can get in touch with the NCPPC through Rusell Mondano in this contact number: 09065679050.

It would also be of interest to read up on the creative process that the team of content creators went through in making the book. Find out more about the project by clicking the highlighted words and phrases above.

As a librarian, how can we help our clients or reach them?

At the time of a pandemic, librarians need to be creative and resilient. We need to look at all the possible ways in which we can reach our community. If, before COVID-19, the library has not yet embedded itself in the learning community then, it will be very tough for the librarian to reach people.

When the library is already a part of the school or the learning community's ecosystem, then the challenges are lesser, somewhat. This would mean that the library is included in the upgrading of the technology infrastructure as well as the curricular changes that the learning community is going through. Support from school administrator is key.

Reach out in all aspects using all known technology possible - from the traditional physical access of books and resources to creating a virtual space for the library where students, teachers and parents. We need to be visible and relevant. Collaborate with colleagues, the tech staff, teachers who need assistance, faculty developing modules for remote learning, delegate staff to spread out duties and task but do take care of yourself.

Reach in your self too. You cannot help others if you are not healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Bibliotherapy Q and A: The Retelling of Classic Stories and Learning Gained Through the Years

Now I begin answering questions from the Bibliotherapy Workshop I had last October 30. Here goes!

Is it ok to change the story line of classic stories just to be appropriate to our children's age? I am thinking when they find out the real story when they grow po ba wala po bang masamang effect. Won't you look like a liar to your children?

No. It is not OK to change the story line of classic stories to make them appropriate for kids. What can be done is to look for condensed, digested, abridged or graphic novel copies of these classics that are appropriate for a specific age and stage of reading development of children. Movies and animated versions can also be considered for their viewing.

A quick look online can lead you to varied publishers and publishing houses that publishes classic stories for children. In the Philippines, I recommend you take a look at the online store and catalog of Lampara Books or Precious Pages Bookstore. They have classic stories for children and some are even translated in Filipino.

What is the most inspiring experience/s you encounter while doing bibliotheraphy? What are the challenges and how do you encounter it?

I have many inspiring experiences conducting bibliotherapy. To have students in the college and graduate level seek my advise and help on bibliotherapy is one. Having experienced to do a session with children who were cancer patients a few years ago was an inspiring and challenging one too.

I learned that bibliotherapy has a special purpose and that I have limitations as a storyteller and bibliotherapist. After that memorable experience with the children, I pushed my self to learn more about bibliotherapy by conducting research. I dream of one day, being able to write an academic paper about it. I also wish to present this paper to an audience and have it published in a journal

Q and A from the Bibliotherapy Workshop with PLAI ZamPen and Regalo Touching Lives

In the next few days, I will be answering the questions asked during the Bibliotherapy webinar with PLAI ZamPen. Here is the first set of questions.

Is it ok to change the story line of classic stories just to be appropriate to our children's age? I am thinking when they find out the real story when they grow po ba wala po bang masamang effect. Won't you look like a liar to your children?

What techniques can we do to create bibliotherapy for senior high school students? How we can convince them to read?

What is the most inspiring experience/s you encounter while doing bibliotheraphy? What are the challenges and how do you encounter it?

How do you encourage children of today engrossed to technology and social media gaming etc.?

Pano po mag avail ng books na nabanggit niu po mam?

Bakit po ba may taong nahihirapang mag open up sa iba?

As a librarian, how can we help our clients or reach them?