Book Review: Robot versus Dinosaur

 

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Max is a CMMA Finalist!

Early today, I received happy news from my publisher, Lampara Books. Our book The Day Max Flew Away is a finalist in the Best Children’s Short Story category of the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). I am still wearing a smile in my face and there is joy in my heart as I write this. But I am nervous too.

I know that the story is up against tough competition. Eugene Evasco’s story book, Ang Tatlong Prinsipe ng Kalinaw (Lampara Books) is a finalist too. I do not know whose works are lined up as well but joining the list along side a Palanca Hall of Famer’s work shakes my confidence.

I take comfort in the idea that the panel of judges took time to read and to consider my story and our book. They sure got the message!

Max is a very personal story. It is Nico and Zoe’s experience growing up and Papadoms’ relevant role in the lives of our children. It is my story too, one about detachment and letting go. At the time of writing, I was grappling with the teachings of Ignatius, most especially about the truths we hold dear. I have gained perspective since then. Ignatius can do that too. Now I know that to be able to love freely, we need to hold the truth lightly in our hands.

I look back at Max’s journey and here are links to blog posts at how the story and the book came to be.

Jomike’s studies on Max

Max and Nico were revealed

Max’s translator is the Palanca Hall of Famer, Eugene Evasco

Interview with Eugene Evasco as translator

Max’s bookmark by Mennie Ruth Viray

Max at the 2017 Manila International Book Fair

I will definitely attend the awards ceremonies. Win or lose, I will be there to celebrate. I feel I have gone full circle. I am ready to begin anew.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us!

Oh Joy! Feedback From A Reader!

Imagine my surprise to find this message from Elaine Aliga Ricafort. She sent this through Messenger. In a time when social media is tainted with fake news and smeared by propaganda, using it wisely and responsibly can garner good results.

Hi, Zarah! 🙂 Sorry, you do not know me. But you happened to comment after me on Cris Tanjutco's status, and I was wondering why your name was so familiar. Then I realized I just read your book "My Daddy! My One and Only!" with my 6-year-old son yesterday. 🙂 

So I just wanted to tell you that it's a great book. And it perfectly describes my son's relationship with his dad, who is also an architect. 😛 So thank you! And I'll be on the lookout for more of your books. 🙂

My Daddy My One and Only (Gagatiga and Tejido, 2013) is published by Lampara Books.

New Lampara Books in the 2017 Manila International Book Fair

I will be present during the book signing from September 13-14, 2017 and the formal launching of our book, The Day Max Flew Away (Gagatiga and Tejido) on September 17, 2017. See you! Say hi and don't be a stranger

Max Flew Away Bookmark

Bookmark of our new book, The Day Max Flew Away (Lampara House, 2017) made especially by Mennie Ruth Viray
Thanks to Jomike Tejido for the amazing paintings on banig (native mat) as canvas.
So excited for this book!

Because Love Can Save the World

The dedication was included pre-Wonder Woman viewing. Kudos to Eugene Evasco for the Filipino translation!

Book News: 2nd Printing and New Bookmarks

My Daddy, My One and Only has been reprinted! I learned about this good news from my publisher via Facebook (where else do you get "breaking news" these days but in social media, right?). I have one copy of the first print and, yes, I am getting myself a copy of the second reprint!

And since Jomike Tejido and I finished another book, here's a look at our promotional bookmark. Super thanks to Mennie Ruth Viray for the design and layout.

New Book: The Day Max Flew Away

Finally, I got the dummy of The Day Max Flew Away. The illustrations are by Jomike Tejido and the Filipino translation is by Palanca Hall of Famer, Eugene Evasco. 

Here's the front and back covers.

Update on Book Project: The Day Max Flew Away

Back in May 2016, I blogged about a new book project I have with Jomike Tejido. I posted photos of his studies in the blog.

And now for the big reveal! Our book The Day Max Flew Away will soon be published by Lampara Books. We hope to launch it by September 2017 in time for the Manila International Book Fair.

Here is a photo I grabbed from Jomike's FB page. See the bird flying over "Nico's" head? Yes, this story is so close to home as it is taken from my children's real life story of owning a pet bird. I named the characters after my kids, so, this is a really special project.

Nico is now 19 years old and Zoe turned 16 last month. They still hold a fascination for animals and a love for birds, cats and dogs.

Here is the cover design of our book. Do visit the blog and my FB page for more updates and book giveaways!

Visit Tejido for more information on Jomike's art and his paintings on banig, a woven mat made of pandan leaves.

Rainbows and Paper Bags: Take Aways from the Likha-Pambata Workshop 2016

Our tarp at the workshop venue

Three wonderful things happened during the 4th Likha-Pambata Writing and Illustrating Workshop: 1) there were participants who were able to write a story map/outline; 2) there were participants who developed characters by drawing on paper bags; 3) there were participants who were able to do both by using the character from their story outline. Needless to say, the workshop that I ran with Ruben "Totet" de Jesus had been fun and deeply engaging. I felt inspired myself. I now resolve to finish all book projects I have with my publisher.

YAY! (fingers crossed)

How we went about the activities

The workshop program was in two parts. Being the author who facilitated the writing component of the workshop, I had an input session on my writing life, my writing process and where I get stories to write. Afterwards, participants were given story prompts to come up with story maps and outlines. I used the photo of a rainbow to establish context and focused on questions that lead to character development. In fifteen minutes, participants were able to write! This is only a pre-writing exercise but the output for the day is something they can file in a writing portfolio. This way, ideas and story development techniques are documented and can be tracked down.

Raquel V. Endoso's character is a fearful lion.

When Totet took on the second part of the workshop, the participants couldn't help but be amazed at the spot drawing demonstration. Basic shapes, lines and curves, geometric shapes and points can be used to create a character with emotions and personality. His input in our collaborative work was, I think, is the more interesting topic in the workshop.

Indeed, book development and publishing takes time. It is not easy and it can be messy too. But, if the heart is into this kind of creative endeavor, then, being a part of this industry is worth it. The returns are numerous and the gains are satisfying. Though, I can't claim that authors and artists like Totet and myself will be millionaires in the level of JK Rowling.

The Writer and the Illustrator Collaboration

During the Q&A, I was asked who is the illustrator I wish to collaborate with in the future. I wish to work with Robert Magnuson however, he seemed to be very, elusive.

This question made me think of the reasons I keep in choosing artists to work with. Since my stories are very personal, so is my choice for the book's illustrator. I admire the loving ways of Jomike Tejido towards his daughter. Having met his wife in a school visit, I sense this deep bond between them. He was my first choice for My Daddy, My One and Only. Thank God, Jomike said yes to the project considering how busy he was (and is)!

Raquel's fearful lion! Scaredy cat!

Bernadette Solina Wolf was also my first choice for A Tale of Two Dreams since she has a first hand experience of living in Mindoro. Besides, she knows a good number of Mangyans in the island. The Chocolate Kiss is one of my favorite restaurants. The restaurant is a business managed by Liza Flores' family. I have seen and met her sister there and her mother too. How closely knit she seems to be with her sister and mother. My gut feel told me she would do justice to Dear Nanay. When I saw her studies during the production stage of the book, my separation anxiety surfaced. It was exactly the emotion I want to visually appear in the book.

Totet is a friend and an ally in the advocacy for quality books and children's literature in the Philippines. He is funny, reflective, compassionate and responsible. I know he has sisters. For sure, a guy to be sensitive and perceptive, must have grown up among loving and "annoying" sisters. His work in Big Sister is splendid! In my mind, I hope to work further on with Totet in a workshop where participants can truly create books. It is going to be longer for sure, say two to three days? I don't even know if Totet will agree to the idea.

For now, I hope to keep in touch with the participants via social media. There is a writing and illustrating fellowship that is being talked about among the management team of Lampara Books. It would be my pleasure to be a mentor in this fellowship.

Caption this: ___________________________________

 
Thank you very much to Jun Matias of Lampara Books for the patience, his trust and confidence in me to push for the book projects that would matter to children and uplift writers and artists in the industry. All the best to Carlos Manalansan and Aiko Buduan-Salazar! May your hard work pay off a hundred fold. On to the next book project, my dears!

A New Book Project With Jomike Tejido

I am thankful to Jomike Tejido for accepting, once more, a collaborative project with me. We are going to free a bird this time.

See Jomike's studies on our new children's book project. Again, Lampara Books agreed to support our creative pursuits.

Study 1: This is the cover page of our new book, The Day Max Flew Away.

I am excited to see how Jomike is going to interpret my story. From the studies he has shown me so far, it looked neat and well designed. He is going to paint this time. I am not sure if he is going to use a banig as his canvas.

Study 2: Here is one of the book's inner pages. 

There is a father, a mother, a boy and a little girl. Notice the birds and the cat at the bottom right panel. Who is that character with a hat? Make a guess! Do you have an idea what the story is all about?

Backstories of Dear Nanay and My Daddy! My One and Only!

Because it is Mother's Day, and Father's Day is next month, I am sharing this short interview of Iyra Buenrostro, from two years ago, about my writing life. Though brief, you'll get a glimpse of where I get inspiration in writing stories.

Ano po yung inspiration ninyo for writing your books?  (What is your inspiration for writing your books?)

My inspiration to write is my family, primarily, my kids. My Daddy! My One and Only! is the story of my son and husband. 

Dear Nanay is a personal story of mine. My father worked abroad in the early 80s. Nangulila ako sa tatay ng dalawang taon. Nung 2002, na-inspire ako magsulat ng tula tungkol sa isang anak na namimiss ang nanay nya na Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Naisulat ko ang kwento pauwi from Singapore. Galing akong congress noon on storytelling. Ang daming OFW na Pinay sa plane puro pasalubong ang dala!

Do you have a specific advocacy as regards Philippine children's literature? 

Produce quality books; fair royalties and professional fees to writers. Mas malaki palagi sa publisher ang share.

Dear Nanay is illustrated by Liza Flowers. My Daddy! My One and Only! is illustrated by Jomike Tejido. Both books are published by Lampara Books.

The 36th MIBF Moments and Highlights

Photo with Luis Gatmaitan MD has become an MIBF tradition.

We came. We bought books. We had fun!

That is what book fairs are all about. There were good discounts on books in the Anvil and National Bookstore booths. For my library purchases, I had 20% off from Adarna House and Anvil Publishing. Even my books at the Lampara House booth were at a discounted price. Apart from this, the MIBF was a time to touch base with friends in the industry.

Augie Rivera's Alamat ng Ampalaya turns 20 this year and its bitter taste is as strong as ever. He also has a Martial Law story book, Isang Harding Papel, sold during the fair. Your library must definitely acquire it! Mailin Paterno and Ompong Remigio are both back from a long hiatus. Paterno's Mang Andoy's Signs is creating quite a stir from writer friends, earning good reviews from peers and friends in Philippine Children's Literature. Remigio's Bruhaha-Bruhihi is still a best seller after all these years. Meeting her in person was for me, a moment indeed! She was bold and large! As bold and as large as the stories she has written. I have told Bruhaha-Bruhihi many times in read aloud sessions and storytelling time and once, I put up a shadow puppet play of the book to preschoolers. Her stories are a lot of fun!

Bagay na bagay itong planner na ito sa akin!

I also managed to snag Tahanan's Chorva Planner. Rhandee Garlitos' finger prints are all over! These are perfect Christmas give-aways to friends and colleagues at work. How could you go wrong with your plans for the week with the opening Araw-arawin ang Ariba!? And you end your week with this: Rarampa na lola moh! Gay lingo may be an invention to hide meaning at the same time, assert gay pride, but its witty and humorous play on language makes it accessible to everyone.

My books, excluding the 12 stories in the STARS Kinder package

My comic book and graphic novel purchases included Russel Molina's and Ian Sta. Maria's Sixty Six and Piko, an anthology by enthusiastic and prolific comic book creators in the country today headed by Manix Abrera. Sixty Six is amazing! When is part two coming out?! Speaking of sequels, I am excited to read the next adventures of Momoy Lulumboy and Janus Silang. Soon. Very soon!

Lastly, I had my moment as an author in the MIBF when two of our books, My Daddy! My One and Only (Jomike Tejido, illustrator) and Dear Nanay (Liza Flores, illustrator) were sold out! The sales team of Lampara had to collect copies from nearby branches of Precious Pages Bookstore outside SMX to replenish. On Saturday, I was signing for Tale of Two Dreams (Bernadette Solina Wolf, illustrator) and Big Sister, our new book with Ruben "Totet" De Jesus as illustrator. It was a great experience collaborating with these talented artists of Ang INK!

This inspires me to write! More!

Bookwatch #2 and A Good Review

These wonderful news made my Monday!

The article I wrote for Bookwatch about the PBBY Salanga and Alcala Prizes can be read in Issue no. 2. Copies of Bookwatch are available at the National Book Development Board's office in Ortigas. Some copies will be distributed in the Philippine Children's Book Summit too. That's tomorrow!

So, if you are going to the Summit, get a copy for your library!

And then, My Daddy! My One and Only (illustrated by Jomike Tejido, Lampara Books) is featured in Smart Parenting as one of the seven books that encourage father and child bonding.

Oh, let this be a forecast of good things to come this week!

International Book Giving Day 2014: Books Given Away

This is Sam. He is a grade 2 student at San Beda College Alabang. I gave him a copy of my book, My Daddy! My One and Only during International Book Giving Day 2014. He looked thrilled to get a free book!

2013 Author Visits

In 2013, two of my illustrated storybooks were published by Lampara Books. I had the rare honor to work with two brilliant illustrators in the country today, Bernadette Solina Wolf and Jomike Tejido. To Jun Matias and his staff at Lampara, and to Bernie and Jomike, I thank you for this learning experience. 

My gratitude also goes to friends and school librarians who've invited me to tell stories and to talk about my books and my creative process to children and young adults. I value your support and patronage. You all inspire me to continue writing stories that matter.

Happy New Year!

Picture Book Month: My Essay on the Importance of Picture Books

Picture Book Month is happening till the end of the month. My essay on the importance of picture books appeared last November 23, 2013. Here's an excerpt:

When I do author visits in schools and libraries, I make it a point to cover this collaborative process in creating picture books. I think children can learn a lot from this experience especially when they are presented with activities to make their own picture books with classmates and friends. We learn better when we interact with others. In picture books and in creating them, we learn from others too!

For the whole piece, read it here.

Reader Feedback on My Daddy! My One and Only!

When I was in Bali last week for the IASL Conference, I got this feedback from a parent who has copies of my books, A Tale of Two Dreams and My Daddy! My One and Only! 

The Daddy one especially really moved my daughter and me. It supports what values I am trying to raise my daughter with, and for her-wow she was able to make real connections and see value in her daddy that she hadn't seen before!

And then the senti factor got me :-) It is beautiful. Thanks!

 I will be at the Manila International Book Fair on September 14, 2013 to sign copies of my books. I suppose the illustrators will be present too! The book signing will start at 1PM in the Lampara - Precious Pages booth. At 3PM, I move to the conference room at SMX to join Eugene Evasco and Heidi Eusebio Abad,two wonderful writers of children's stories, in a panel on writing stories for children.

I hope to see you there!

Book Launch: My Daddy! My One and Only!

I was at the The Green Spine book fair at DLSU Taft, Henry Sy Learning Commons last week. It was the re-launching of A Tale of Two Dreams and My Daddy! My One and Only! Jomike Tejido was there so after my short lecture, we had book signing.

I was so busy meeting friends I have not met in a long while that Jomike and I did not have a photo together. Nonetheless, I'm hoping this is not the last tandem guesting we will have. Despite our busy schedules, I am optimistic to plan and do a book party on our boo, My Daddy! My One and Only!

Hmm...which makes me think of visiting Mindoro this year so Bernadette Solina-Wolf and I can celebrate our book, A Tale of Two Dreams, with folks there in Mindoro.

With friends after the lecture and book launch/signing.

Thank you to DLSU Taft librarians for organizing the event, especially to Ms. Jo

Book Launch: A Tale of Two Dreams & My Daddy! My One and Only!

On August 15, I will be at the De La Salle Taft University Library to speak on children's literature and book publishing. The activity is in line with their book fair, The Green Spine, and their book drive project, Turn 1 into a Million. 

My two new books, My Daddy! My One and Only, illustrated by Jomike Tejido and A Tale of Two Dreams, illustrated by Bernadette Solina-Wolf will be launched. Lampara Books will sell copies. I hope to see you there!