Growing Wings: St. La Salle Preschool Lending Library

Last February, Carla Pacis set up a storytelling workshop for parents of St. La Salle Preschool. Thanks to Chichi Ferrer for allowing Carla and I to meet the parents of the school. Early June of this year, I got an email from Carla bearing good news from Chichi --

Just wanted to let you know that we have set up a lending library in the preschool out of the books that Zarah had donated. We placed a bookcase inside the school, so that the parents can look at the books. We are all excited about this and we are hoping that the parents will use it and read to their children at home. We are hoping to build on this lending library with the donated books from previous years that we don't really use as it is for elementary children. For now, we are starting with a small collection to see the parents' response to it.

Apparently, one of Chichi's former students in De La Salle University-Taft, Anna Bella Yu, got wind of the activity and scheduled a similar workshop for parents of Brgy. Corazon de Jesus, San Juan. Anna Bella is part of a non-government organization whose work involves child care and feeding program in the community. After some email exchanges, Carla and I were ate the barangay hall giving a talk to parents of the community. Anna Bella and her group has donated 300 books for the reading center of the barangay and our presence there that Saturday in July helped parents realize the importance of reading.

Parents shared their dreams and ambitions for their children. They talked about challenges that they face every day. They read the books and gave short, substantial book talks. Typical of every activity in the Philippines, it ended with merienda and "picture-picture".

We definitely look forward to news, good or otherwise, of this barangay's progress in creating a reading center and parents read to their children.

Visiting the Paglaki Ko Room at Museo Pambata

I missed the launching of the Paglaki Ko Room (When I grow up I want to be...) of the Museo Pambata in April. Nonetheless, I was able to visit the career options area of Museo Pambata last Saturday during the Batang Bayani series launch. Earlier today, the PBBY board made a quick tour right after its monthly meeting. Nina Lim Yuson, the gracious host, allowed us to be kids again.



It's an interactive area, as every thing else at Museo, of course! The walls cover a mystery-investigatory approach to knowing the writers and illustrators featured in the exhibit. The comics on the wall is very engaging. Sadly, I failed to ask Nina or Teacher Noreen the artist who made them. The room is littered with curiosities from the featured writers and illustrators, memorabilia, quotable quotes and their definitive masterpieces.


Larry Alcala's Slice of Life was an inspiration that allows visitors to look for well loved Pinoy children's book characters.


And definitely, Jose Rizal's The Monkey and the Turtle earned a space in the exhibit.



My daughter Zoe enjoyed the area where creative play and theatrics were encouraged. She wore the Ibong Adarna head dress cum wings.



The Paglaki Ko Room is the first interactive museum that features Filipino writers and illustrators who've made a mark in Philippine Children's Literature. Jose Aruego, Albert Gamos, Jo-Ann Bereber, Beth Parrocha, Robert Alejandro and Kora Dandan Alabano are the featured illustrators. Augie Rivera, Rene Villanueva, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Carla Pacis and Russell Molina and Rhandee Garlitos are the writers who made it to the esteemed list.

PaperTigers Zooms On Philippine Chidlren's Literature

PaperTigers is currently featuring Philippine Children's Literature in their website. Reviews and views by Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz and Tarie Subido are great reads! Carla Pacis, Panch Alcaraz and Serge Bumatay are featured as well.

While this news is something all Filipino librarians specializing in children's and young adult library services must read, PaperTigers provides a comprehensive interview with Nancy Harrington. Ms. Harrington and her husband Dan are the proponents of a book donation and library development project in Mindanao and other parts of the southern islands in the country. Book for the Barrios has set up floating libraries in Agusan.

Thanks to PaperTigers! It could not have come at a better time but now.