National Children's Book Day is Children's Day

A friend from work, Mayen Lopez sent me a photo of a newspaper clipping from the Inquirer circa 2006. It is an article written by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz on the 2006 National Children's Book Day (NCBD). 

The article narrates the program of the NCBD that year as spearheded by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY). As far back as I can remember, children are always given the time to shine during NCBD. Back then, we had children perform songs, dances and storytelling presenttaions or excerpts from school musicals. Mayen's daughter, Amy Nayve beloned to a group of grade school students from St, Scholastica's College who perfomed an excerpt of the musical May Alaga Akong Puno at the NCBD that year. 

At the time, I was the librarian in Xavier School and nurturing a writing career with the help of friends and fellows in KUTING. Who would have thought that years later, Mayen and I would cross paths in the Beacon Academy without the knowledge of being at one place in one event years ago? The discovery of the article clipping is proof. This is history and it is not chismis. What a pleasant surprise!

Now here's the more amazing news. Amy Nayve is now all grown up and is a professional artist and paper engineer. I interviewed her in the blog. Read about her paper craft and paper engineering projects in School Librarian In Action.

Over the years, the PBBY has pursued the cause for literacy, development of children's books and the right of each and every child to read and have access to books and reading materials. One program to make this a reality is the Kids' Choice Award. Children read books that were published in a period of two years and they pick the best among the rest. 

This year, the PBBY in partenrship with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) will be awarding the Kids Choice Award and the National Children's Book Award on National Children's Book Day, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. 

I am excited to be this year's emcee and witness to the awarding of winners!

The 4th National Children's Books Awards: Top 9 Finalists and the 2016 Kids' Choice Award Winner

CITATIONS

4^th National Children’s Book Awards

Kid’s Choice Awards

Shortlist:

Marvino’s League of Superheroes

Written by Rae Rival-Cosico

Illustrated by Jamie Bauza

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

This is a nice story about Marvino going to a museum, but he doesn’t have the money for it. But then he befriends the one who owns the museum, but he doesn’t know it. What I like about this is that, if you see a good sculpting, you can draw it, just like how Marvino did. 

• Prepared by Horacio Rafael de Peralta

Made Perfect in Weakness

Written by Didith Rodrigo

Illustrated by Patricia Lascano

Published by The Bookmark, Inc.

This book tells kids that their own weaknesses can make them even better. It teaches kids that weakness doesn’t make you a failure. 

• Prepared by Horacio Rafael de Peralta

Big Sister

Written by Zarah Gagatiga

Illustrated by Ruben de Jesus

Published by Lampara Publishing House, Inc.

This book teaches kids that an older sibling may be annoying, but some point in time, they will need an older sibling. As said in the book, “My friends can keep me company, I know, but my big sister is special.” And, “She may annoy me sometimes, but she can be loyal and loving.” 

• Prepared by Rafael Varela 

Si Andoy, Batang Tondo

Written by Mark Anthony Angeles

Illustrated by Ray Nazarene Sunga

Published by Lampara Publishing House, Inc.

This book teaches kids to help others without being told to do so. 

• Prepared by Rafael Varela

Happy Home 1: Coming Home

Written by Grace Chong

Illustrated by Leo Kempis Ang

Published by OMF Literature--Hiyas

Coming Home was chosen as a book in the Top 9 because of its touching story about an orphan boy coming to terms with living with his new family. The story is seen from the younger children's perspective and it definitely shows just how lucky millions of kids are. The moral and the plot come together in a way that is both educational and lovable. 

• Prepared by Alon Luna Fabros 

Uncle Sam

Written by Segundo Matias, Jr.

Illustrated by Jason Moss

Published by Lampara Publishing House, Inc.

Uncle Sam was chosen as a book in the Top 9 because of its insight on the LGBT community through a child's eyes whilst still keeping with a colorful theme and a plot that is sure to make multiple readers love the book. As well as that, the book brings along a story that makes young people who feel as if they are different, feel more at home. Plus, it's in both English and Tagalog. 

• Prepared by Alon Luna Fabros

I Will Always Love You More

Written by Peachy Concepcion

Illustrated by Joel Chua

Published by Anvil Publishing, Inc.

This book was chosen to be in the top 9 because, it assures kids that whatever they do, their parents will always love and support them. The book shows that even though the mom misses her daughter's hugs and kisses, she accepted that her daughter was already growing and her ways are changing. She supported her daughter's decisions and she will always be there for her no matter what. 

• Prepared by Pheonna Heart Ragasa

Nawawala si Muningning

Written by Michael M. Coroza

Illustrated by Tokwa Peñaflorida

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

This book was chosen to be in the top 9 because it was very accurate in showing how cat owners feel when their cats are missing and how they imagined what happened to their cats while they were missing. It was also very relatable, like how cat owners can relate to how the boy felt when his cat was missing and how it frightened him so much. 

• Pheonna Heart Ragasa

Salusalo para kay Kuya

Written by Ergoe Tinio

Illustrated by JC Galag

Published by Adarna House, Inc.

It taught me that no matter what happens, we should continue our life by keeping and treasuring the good and happy memories of our loved ones, because everything happens for a reason.

We also need to be strong to make our dreams come true by making our loved ones the reason why we remain strong. It’s good for children because of its illustration that can get the children’s interest, and simple words make the story great. 

• Prepared by Apriel Beltran

Winner:

Made Perfect in Weakness

Written by Didith Rodrigo

Illustrated by Patricia Lascano

Published by The Bookmark, Inc.

Ang nagustuhan ko sa Made in Perfect Weakness ay yung story niya kasi kahit she’s blind at tinutukso, hindi siya sumuko at siya ay nakapagtapos 

• Prepared by  Althea Hazel Fresno 

Kahit po na bulag siya, hindi siya tumigil sa pag-aaral. At parehas kami ng favorite subject 

• Prepared by Sean Kirby Cruz

Hindi hadlang ang kapansanan sa pag-aaral 

• Prepared by Ricmel Padon

Kasi po nag-work hard siya para makuha yung goal niya. 

• Prepared by Yasuyuki Avendaño

Dahil hindi hadlang ang kapansanan sa pag-aaral. At may aral din tayong makukukha sa kwento na kailangan, kahit hindi tayo perpekto, kailangan nating magsikap. 

• Prepared by  Alizza Tolentino

On LGBT Literature for Kids, Reading Choice and Libraries

I remembered last year when I gave a lecture in Teacher Portia's Chidlren's Lit class at the UP Diliman, Reading Department, I was asked how I feel about books that tackle gender differences and unique family dynamics. I know the question was really all about the changing family arrangement of Filipino families today like parents working abroad and same sex parenting. At the time, two new books for children that deals with same sex parenting and homosexuality were published. One of the books was even launched during the 30th National Children's Book Day.

If my memory serves me right, I answered in the affirmative. Yes, I feel positive about these books because, alas, we get to read such themes and issues with more care and consideration. My own children come home talking about the experiences of their classmates growing up with grandparents and being raised by homosexual parents. This is the reality of the world that my own children are growing up in. If such themes and topics are written about in the form of literature that my children read, then it is an opportunity to talk and discuss this with them with the hope that, empathy and a better understanding of the gray areas that make us human will come to light. Not only do homosexuality, same sex relations and dysfunctional family exist in real life, it has a place in children's and young adult literature.

So I was pleased when Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin by Bernadette Neri and Ang Bongang Bongang Batang Beki by Rhandee Garlitos were included in the Kids' Choice Award Top Ten Best Books. The Kids' Choice Award went to The Day of Darkness, but having these two books in the roster of the Top Ten Best Books tells us something about the books we want our kids to read and the choices our kids make on their reading.

For one, book creators need to be better at their craft. The quest to strive for higher goals and standards is a continuous process. As adults, we need to engage with our growing, young readers of the books they pick and read. The teenager or tweener may not open up to an adult on the books he or she is reading, but there are strategies to do so. More on this in a future post. Kids are more open to read about books that deal with complicated and controversial issues. I think we need to pay attention to this openness if we truly want to see the local children's industry grow and mature.

Lastly, I hope, with the effort of the PBBY and the NBDB spearheading the Kids' Choice Award, more children and teens are given the opportunity to join in the conversation. For this to happen, we need to strengthen the library system in the country. And that, my librarian friends is where we can take part.