Book Launched!

It has been three weeks since our book, When A Book Talks, was launched in the National Library of the Philippines but my heart will be forever grateful for all the support given by friends in the profession and by my publisher, Lampara Books. The event would not have been a successful one if not supported by the NLP, CLAPI and the presence of my college professor and mentor, Mr. Miguel Cobaria.

Prof. Cobaria has indeed grown in wisdom over the years. But, his zest for learning has never waned. He was the most engaged participant of them all. I was not surprised at all that he was awarded the Most Outstanding Librarian by PLAI during the National Congress in Tagaytay last November 30, 2019.

With Ghie Cabalar, illustrator of When A Book Talks

After my talk on the status of Philippine Children’s Literature, CLAPI and Lampara Books facilitated the launching. Ghie Cabalar, illustrator of When A Book Talks, gave a short talk on her approach to illustrating the book. Then we had book signing and first in line was our dear Prof. Cobaria.

This book launching was the simplest I had but the most special so far because it happened during the celebration of Book Week and National Library and Information Science Month. Librarian friends from CLAPI were present, and Ghie Cabalar who is a licensed librarian made sure to be there as well.

With CLAPI Officers and Prof. Miguel Cobaria

Our book is for all librarians who serve children and young people. I wrote the poem, When A Book Talks, at a time when librarians are challenged to provide engaging library and literacy services to young people. The challenge and the demand are still the same. We are needed all the more in bridging readers to books that they can read with confidence.

CLAPI Seminar: Children's Literature Today

Tips on Celebrating the 30th NCBD

Are you preparing your book list for your reading child this NCBD? Have you prepared a book fair and storytelling session in your school and library? If yes, you're well on your way to celebrating the 30th NCBD. But here are more activities you can do to celebrate the event:

a. Get posters of the 30th NCBD from the PBBY Secretariat and distribute them to friends, schools, barangay hall and day care centers.

b. Visit the PBBY website and check the list of published Salanga-Alcala books. How many do you have in your collection?

c. If you are an inspiring writer for children and young adult,  join a writing group like KUTING.

d. If you're an art enthusiast, visit the Ang INK exhibit, Curious Buffet, in Cubao.

e. If you are a chidlren's lit advocate, teacher or librarian, attend the CLAPI seminar.

f. Invite the winners of this year's Salanga and Alacala in your school, library and classroom.

g. Watch out for this year's new books for children and young adults. I will post the list/PPT. in the blog. I hear there are good and interesting titles! Get a copy. Buy from the bookstore or the publisher.

h. For librarians: set up a book display in the library on Rizal and Bonifacio. Rizal because NCBD commemorates the publication of The Monkey and the Turtle in Trubner's Oriental Record in London. Bonifacio because it is his 150th birth year/anniversary.

i. For academic and research librarians: Promote and publicize theses and studies on Philippine Children's Literature. Make the abstracts available to the public.

j. Watch Sandosenang Sapatos in CCP.

More activities to post in the next few day!

Celebrate NCBD: CLAPI Seminar

Clapi invitation forum from Zarah Gagatiga

19th Children's Month @ the National Library of the Philippines

Photos from the Opening Ceremonies of the 19th Children's Month at the National Library of the Philippines. More details in the next blog posts.

The ribbon that opened to the exhibit of an ideal children's library/reading center set-up.

The program for this morning's activities. I cut the ribbon alongside CLAPI (Children's Literature Association of the Philippines) President, Ms. Emi Villanueva.

Trap banners that highlight the event and celebration of the 19th Children's Month.

The strategy used by NLP to drum up the event's theme is storytelling as a means to strengthen and empower the child.

Congratulations to Dir. Antonio Santos and librarians and staff of the NLP!