2016 NCBD Bumasa at Lumaya Blog Tour Round Up

I know this is so late, but, as I always say in my defense, better late than never.

As this is the final round up for the Bumasa at Lumaya blog tour, here are links to visit if you need to review on the first round up and the second one. Here is where you can read the list of bloggers who participated in the Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2 blog tour.  The first round up can be read here while the second round up is at this link. And now, for remaining two bloggers who posted on the Bumasa and Lumaya volume 2 * drum roll* --

Tarie Sabido, PBBY President, wrote about her book giveaway for the blog tour. You will also find a comprehensive content of the book in her post. This blog tour contest has three winners. They won a copy of Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2 by simply posting a comment on Tarie's post. Easy as pie.

Jord Earving Gadingan wrote a chapter review. He picked Lin Accacio-Flores' writing tips and found out how easy and accessible is Lola Lin's narrative. Jord has added Lola Lin in his list of writers to read.

So, that's about it folks. This blog tour ends officially now, but the aspiration to produce quality books for children and teens in the country today continues. Proof of this is the literary festival that is happening today at the Raffles, Makati. More on that in another post.

Have a restful long weekend, everyone!

2016 NCBD Bumasa at Lumaya Blog Tour Round Up

I am back to the blog tour round up of Bumasa at Lumaya 2. It's been a busy two weeks right after the NCBD. Hinga-hinga muna.

And, here they are!

Cris Tanjutco Ngo of Teacher's Pet wrote a chapter review on The Magic of the Frozen Moment: A Crash Course on Comics Appreciation by Paolo Chikiamco. Teacher Cris is delighted to get recommendations from Chikiamco on comic books to read and the varied ways of accessing them. As a school librarian, I find this helpful too, since a number of my readers in the high school library where I work are comic book lovers and visual learners.

Lausanne Barlaan of Bookbed provided a glowing review of Bumasa at Lumaya 2. She wrote the good points on Ramon Sunico's and Carla Pacis' essays, specifically on writing for young adult readers. She glows over the insights of Mailin Paterno Locsin on her essay about writing non-fiction for young people. There are, however, parts in her review where she pointed out the typo errors in the book. Surely, for a second printing, these errors will be corrected.

Blooey Singson of Bookmarked is by far, the most frank review on Bumasa at Lumaya 2 that I have read. Weighing the good points and the bad ones, I tend to agree with her that the readers' perspective and context, as far as Young Adult materials is concerned, needed representation. Perhaps, in the third volume, the current voice and changing tides in readership, book formats and access can be included.

I, for one, feel the need to revise my piece on setting up a library and reading center for young readers.

2016 NCBD: Bumasa at Lumaya 2 Blog Tour Round Up

Here's a round up of posts from bloggers who joined in the Bumasa and Lumaya 2 Blog Tour.

Award winning writer, Xi Zuq, featured Eugene Evasco's essay on the State of Philippine Children's Literature (2012-2013).  

Author and Young Adult reader, Mina Esguerra interviewed Ms. Carla Pacis and Mr. Rayvi Sunico on their piece, Filling the Gap: Young Adult Literature in the Philippines. From her interview with Sunico and Pacis, it looks like the conversation on everything Young Adult Literature in the Philippines today will continue between them.  

I did an interview for Josephine Litonjua and you can read my confessions over at her blog, Cinderella Stories.

That's three bloggers and there are seven more to go!

For now, let me remind you that the launching of Bumasa and Lumaya volume 2 (Anvil, 2016) will take place during the National Children's Book Day (NCBD) Book Fair in Xavier School San Juan on Saturday, July 23, 2016. The launch is at 9AM. Expect the authors and contributors to be present, as well as the editors and publisher of the book. At 10.30AM, the PBBY Children's Litearture Talks begin while the NCBD Book Fair runs all day from 8AM till 5PM.

Bring a book bag for your book purchases! Come with full batteries in your phones and bring a charger. Dare to ask for selfies from your favorite authors. Request for signatures. Have fun at the fair!

Bumasa at Lumaya Blog Tour: July 17 - 23, 2016

Bumasa at Lumaya Vol. 2 A Source Book on Children's Literature in the Philippines (Anvil Publishing, 2016) will be launched during the National Children's Book Day (NCBD) Book Fair! I am proud to have a contribution to this collection wherein I wrote about the setting up and organization of school libraries and reading centers. The NCBD Book Fair is on July 23, 2016, Saturday at Xavier School San Juan. The book fair gates will open at 7.30AM, registration is at 8AM and at 9AM, the book launch begins!

In line with the launch, I am hosting a blog tour of the book here in School Librarian in Action. Below are the bloggers and their scheduled postings.

1. Zarah C. Gagatiga of School Librarian In Action will do a book review and chapter feature on July 20.
2. Tarie Sabido of Asia in the Heart World on the Mind will do a book review.
3. MJ Tumamac of Xi Zuq's Nook has written an introduction of the blog tour. He will post a chapter feature on his blog on July 18.
4. Blooey Singson of Bookmarked will post a review on July 18.
5. Cris Tanjutco Ngo of Teacher's Pet will post a chapter feature on July 18.
6. Mina Esguerra of Publishing in Pajamas will post a contributor and editor interview (Carla Pacis and Rayvi Sunico) on July 18.
7. Cassandra Javier of She Flies With Faeries will post a contributor interview on July 22.
8. Josephine Litonjua of Cinderella Stories will post a contributor interview (Zarah C. Gagatiga) on July 22.
9. Jord Irving Gadingan of Tsa-Tsub! will post a review.
10. Collaborative Bloggers and Readers of Bookbed will post an interview.

2016 NCBD: Bumasa at Lumaya 2 Blog Tour

On July 23, 2016, the PBBY, in cooperation with Xavier School San Juan, will run the annual National Children's Book Day (NCBD) Book Fair. On exhibit are titles of children's books and young adult literature by our local publishers. Now on its third year, the NCBD Book Fair program includes a series of talks on reading, learning, book development, library services, children's books and young adult literature. Needless to say, the event will be graced by the presence of your favorite children's book writers as well as advocates, teachers and experts in the field.

What I am equally excited about in this year's NCBD Book Fair are these three things:

1. My publisher, Lampara House, will sell my books: My Daddy! My One and Only! A Tale of Two Dreams; Dear Nanay; Big Sisters; the Start Right Reading (STARS) Learning Package for Kindergarten Learners. I will also be at the Lampara House's booth for book signing.

2. I will conduct a talk on library services geared towards the growth and development of digital learners. I will do this with a partner, Mr. Darrel Manuel Marco. Our session, Awaken the Force: Innovative Library Services for Digital Learners is scheduled at 3PM.

3. Bumasa at Lumaya Vol. 2 (Anvil Publishing, 2016) will be launched during the NCBD Book Fair! I am proud to have a contribution to this collection wherein I wrote about the setting up and organization of school libraries and reading centers.

In line with the launch, I am hosting a blog tour of the book here in School Librarian in Action. Below are the bloggers and their scheduled postings.

1. Zarah C. Gagatiga of School Librarian In Action
2. Tarie Sabido of Asia in the Heart World on the Mind
3. MJ Tumamac of Xi Zuq's Nook
4. Blooey Singson of Bookmarked
5. Cris Tanjutco Ngo of Teacher's Pet
6. Mina Esguerra of Publishing in Pajamas
7. Cassandra Javier of She Flies With Faeries
8. Josephine Litonjua of Cinderella Stories
9. Jord Irving Gadingan of Tsa-Tsub!
10. Collaborative Bloggers and Readers of Bookbed

Bumasa at Lumaya Blog Tour

I am inviting interested book bloggers to join in the Bumasa at Lumaya 2 Blog Tour. Feel free to download the letter of invitation. Comment on this post or send me an email/PM over at Messenger on your interest to join. I will send you collaterals, link to the registration form, a copy of the book and blog materials for the blog tour.

We will be needing ten book bloggers for the blog tour so it's a first come, first serve basis.

Super thanks to MJ "Xi Zuq" Tumamac who made the banner and collated all materials for the Bumasa at Lumaya Blog Tour. Thank you to Anvil Publishing for sending over 10 copies of the book for the book bloggers to read, review and enjoy.

This blog tour is in conjunction with the celebration of the 33rd National Children's Book Day. Bumasa at Lumaya 2 will be launched on July 23, 2016 during the National Chidlren's Book Day Book Fair in Xavier School. See you all, friends and reading advocates!

Read and Take Flight

This year’s NCBD theme is Bumasa at Lumaya (Read and Take Flight).

When we read books, we take flight. Our imagination is set free. Our sense of wonder soars. Our ability to play around and think outside the box is activated. When we read, we can look at another person’s place in the world and discover that our humanity is mirrored in them. Our world view expands and we realize, despite our color, culture and creed, that we are not any different from each other at all.

To drum up this theme, volunteers are encouraged to:

1. Post on their social media accounts (FB, Twitter, IG, Tumblr) photos of Filipino children’s books and/or Filipino YA books that

1. Have set their imagination free
2. Allowed their sense of wonder to soar
3. Moved them to take a proactive action for one’s self and others too
4. Encouraged and fostered play and recreation
5. Expanded their world views
6. Made them realize the importance of compassion, empathy and kindness
7. Made them proud of their culture: regional and national
8. Gave them an AHA moment (self knowledge or a solution to problems)

B. When posting, include the bibliographic data: title, author, illustrator, publisher, copyright

C. Set the posting this way:

Week 1 - This book sets my imagination free!

Title:

Author:

Illustrator:

Publisher:

Copyright year:

HASHTAGS to use:

#bumasaatlumaya

#ncbd2016

#PinoyLibrarian4PHkidslit

#GurongPinoy4PHKidsLit

#PHKidsLit

#PHYALit (if it is a YA book)    

       

D. Schedule of posts:

Week 1 - July 3 - 9: Books that set my imagination free and my sense of wonder to soar.

Week 2 - July 10 - 16: Books that moved me to take action, to be proactive and encouraged me to play and have fun.

Week 3 - July 17 - 23: Books that expanded my world view and stirred in me kindness, empathy and compassion.

Week 4 - July 24 - 30: Books that made me proud being Pinoy and books that gave me AHA moments

You may also blog about this, but be sure to connect or link to any of your social media accounts. Thanks and have fun!

Banner for blog post and social media postings:

Bumasa at Lumaya! Read and Take Flight!

The 2016 NCBD theme: Read and Take Flight

The 33rd National Children's Book Day (NCBD) is on July 19, 2016. This year's theme is Bumasa at Lumaya. In English, this translates to Read and Take Flight. The Philippine Board on Books for Young People is spearheading the celebration by awarding the Salanga Prize and Alacala Prize to the author and illustrator who won in the annual contests. On July 23, 2016, the NCBD Book Fair will be held at Xavier School San Juan.

In one Facebook convo, a friend asked why pick a theme that suggests the call of the times. So I asked her, what is the call of the times? She said, that with the current revisionist movement in Philippine history, especially on Martial Law, and the worrisome results of the national elections, how apt it is to drum up on freedom through books and reading. I told her that there really is no political or historical agenda to the theme.

First of all, Bumasa at Lumaya is a book published by Anvil Publishing House (1996). This book was edited by Mailin Paterno, Rayvi Sunico, Rene Villanueva (+) and Rio Alma. It is a source book and manual on Children's Literature in the Philippines. Writers, illustrators, teachers and advocates of children's books have benefited from Bumasa at Lumaya in their creative journeys. Friends in the industry have asked if there is going to be a new edition of Bumasa and Lumaya. Indeed, the changing times and trends that push new ideas and creative inventions into local children's books needed documentation. So, after twenty years, Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2 was born.

Early this year, Bumasa at Lumaya 2 (Anvil, 2016) was released in the market. My contribution to the collection in this new volume is a quick fix guide in setting up a library and reading center. I am honored to be part of this project and working with the editors was a learning experience.

Side by side now: Bumasa at Lumaya Volume 1 and 2

Now, to put things in perspective.

Reading will always have that power to free and liberate the mind, the heart and the spirit. What we read shapes the way we think. It expands our world views. It will never go out of style. Reading will always be the new sexy. In times of crises and desperation, reading can lead us to solutions, a sense of meaning, a way to make peace with ourselves. In some cases, reading can start up a revolution. The beautiful thing is this: when we read, we are also inspired to create. There is freedom in this act of creation. When the mind, the heart and the spirit is free, the ability to create becomes a manifestation of this freedom.

Read and Take Flight. Bumasa at Lumaya!

What I Forgot To Say In The Philippine Children's Literature Forum

And so, it came to pass. The forum, for me, in most parts had been fun. Thank you very much to Gwenn Galvez of Anvil for organizing the event. To Roselily Medrano, librarian of the College of Fine Arts, professors and teachers of the College of Education, a job well done for staging this event with Anvil. To Prof. Chito Angeles and the dynamic librarians of the UP Diliman Main Library, thank you for supporting the PBBY and the book, Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2. I am happy to be with my kin in the profession discussing and being involved in the growth and development of children's literature.

Literacy advocates all!

However, there are some things I forgot to say during the open forum and that blogging about it will make sleep come easy. The question about curriculum and how reading can further enrich it are two of the topics I wish to expand on this blog post.

First of all, I use the curriculum as one of my guides in developing the library's collection particularly the non-fiction books. What the library has, in its holdings and resources, must adhere and answer to the school's curricular offering. Budgeting would follow since prices of books differ from one subject matter to another. This is a measured and safe technique in collection building. Using the curriculum as a selection guide in the acquisition of library resources would lead to an alignment of pedagogy and practice. What happens in the classroom can be extended in the library in the form of a research activity, reading assignments and writing tasks that pertain to requirements in the subject areas.

I also use the curriculum as my selection and acquisition tool to widen the breadth of the collection as well as to deepen it. Not only am I acquiring books and resources that meet the competencies, skills and concepts in the curriculum, I also look at areas in the curriculum that inform me to acquire materials that will enrich and amplify teaching and learning experiences. The exciting and challenging part is, I do not do this alone. I work with academic coordinators and teachers in developing the library's collection.

Other than this, there are the circulation reports, feedback from students, parents and our own evaluation that matter in collection development. Once the library has stocked enough learning resources, the librarian can now recommend useful resources. What happens when there are few resources? Librarians reach out to linkages and network through inter-library loan, open source and library consortiums.

Many academic libraries follow this model. Schools, especially high school libraries, recommend their students visit colleges and public libraries for research and reading tasks. I think, it is about time to have consortiums set up at the level of school libraries. In the K-12 age, resource sharing may be a solution to the scarcity and shortage of learning resources.

Kung Bakit May Children's Books sa Isang High School Library

Kung Bakit May Children's Books sa Isang HS Library from Zarah Gagatiga

PBBY Pasko and Publishing News

 Here I am with one of my favorite groups of people: the PBBY!


Before attending to the series of doctor appointments that week after APEC, I managed to join the PBBY peeps for the annual Christmas party. What joy! As always, conversations focused on what matters to us: children, books, reading, art and culture. We celebrated the triumphs of friends. We missed the ones who weren't able to come. We remembered Atty. Tony Santos and recognized the big gap he left behind in the service of public libraries. We looked back at projects we accomplished this year. Cognizant of a growing industry, we couldn't help but dream for a more vibrant children's book industry in 2016. While we closed our book for 2015, we are looking forward to 2016 because, it is National Children's Book Awards in July!

Apart from this exciting news, Anvil Publishing has been at work with us for the book project that has taken nearly five years to complete. The second volume of Bumasa at Lumaya is a project we hope to launch in 2016. My how-to-do-it article on setting up libraries for children is included in the collection.