An Award for Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories

The book I co-wrote with Dianne de Las Casas, Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories (Libraries Unlimited, USA 2011) won The Storytelling World Resource Award 2015 for Category 6: Storytelling Resources. The full list of winners can be viewed in the  Storytelling World website where you will find winners and honor books in different categories. I am amazed reading the titles of books included in the list because it shows diversity, global mindedness and multicultural perspective. For our work to be recognized by a host of credible judges and experts in the field is a great honor.

I am still reeling from this surprising news weeks after I learned about it. The book project came at a time when my family and I lost almost everything to typhoon Ondoy (2009). Working on the book with Dianne was a cathartic experience. Stories, indeed, have a way of healing the spirit.

The Storytelling World Resource Award is meant to help storytellers, librarians, teachers and parents choose stories to read aloud and perform in schools and libraries or simply be told in the comfort of one's home.

International Book Giving Day 2014: Books Given Away

Because it was International Book Giving Day last February 14, 2014, I gave away two of my books: My Daddy! My One and Only! (Lampara Books, 2013) and Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories (De Las Casas and Gagatiga, ABC CLIO, 2011).

Here's a photo of the first book given away --

This is Mr. Joseph De Santo, my co-teacher and friend. He is married to a Filipina and they have a daughter whom they named Mayumi.

Book Order for Tales From the 7,000 Isles

Tales From the 7,000 Isles Filipino Folk Stories is already published!

It's available in the US and orders for the book can be made online. Visit ABC-CLIO's website for more information. In Manila, Scholastic Book Fairs Philippines shall be the official distributor. If you know a Scholastic Book agent, you may place advance orders from him/her.

I have been in touch with my friend and co-author, Dianne de Las Casas, brainstorming and planning for a possible launching of the book in Manila sometime next year. For the meantime, keep checking out the blog and my FB page for info on pre-launch activities and book parties.

Tales from the 7,000 Isles

It's in ABC-CLIO's catalog along with a feature on Dianne de las Casas' marvelous work in storytelling and training librarians in the art and craft of tale telling.

Excited to get copies of the book!