Throwback: The 2015 NCBD Book Fair

The 2016 National Children's Book Fair is just around the corner! It will officially be open to the public on July 23, 2016, Saturday from 8AM to 5PM. This year, PBBY partners with Xavier School San Juan for the annual book fair of children's books and literature fest.

To refresh your memory, allow me to share with you this AVP of the 2015 NCBD at the Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University.

This AVP is made by Ms. Michelle Arispe, Grade School librarian of the Ateneo de Manila University.

A Message of Thanks

My heart is still full of joy from the success of the recently concluded NCBD Book Fair.

It was a success because the fair was well attended. It was a success because in three weeks time, PBBY, the Rizal Library people and librarian volunteers were able to put together and pull through a children's book fair that included seven book sellers and publishers, two groups of college students studying children's literature and young adult literature, one indie comic book publisher and a Filipino book club. If attendance and this coming together of reading advocates and book lovers is an indicator of success, there is the sales report to look at as another measure of it. More than the kaching-kaching of the  cash register though, it is good to remember the purpose of staging a children's book fair.

Here is my letter to the exhibitors a few days after the fair.

Dear friends,

Congratulations! 

 

Our NCBD Book Fair was a success! There were 576 visitors to the fair last Saturday. The booth activities you set up and conducted during the fair were all enjoyable. We in PBBY hope that you were able to know, or at least, got an idea about Filipino young readers of today - your audience. To see your authors, illustrators and storytellers interact with children, their parents guardians and teachers at the fair was a delight. Thank you for making the book and the reading experience come alive in the eyes and hearts of children and teens who visited the fair! Even the young at heart had fun!

As a librarian, I am happy to have done this activity with you in partnership with the Rizal Library librarians and librarian volunteers. Our job as librarians is to create mechanisms that will bring books closer to children and young adults. Your participation in the NCBD Book Fair helped this become a reality. I hope that your sales people were able to establish networks with school personnel, meet parents and NGOs working for the welfare of children and teens. May this experience of the book fair inspire you to create meaningful materials and resources in the coming years. 

We look forward to your produce! We will harvest your books and resources and make them accessible and available to young readers in our communities, as well as to the adults who care for them in one way or the other.

Maraming salamat!

          Zarah C. Gagatiga
          PBBY Board Member and Book Fair Director

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!

NCBD 2015: The Philippine Children's Book Summit & The NCBD Book Fair

Umuulan ng Libro: PBBY Celebrates the 32nd National Children’s Book Day

The month of July is dedicated to the promotion and development of children's books. Every year on the third week of this month, National Children's Book Day is celebrated. It is also a day in which we commemorate the anniversary of the publication of Dr. Jose Rizal's "The Monkey and the Turtle" in Trubner's Oriental Record in London.
This year, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is having two events to celebrate the 32nd National Children's Book Day. On July 21, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with PBBY is holding a literary summit called "Umuulan ng Libro: Philippine Children's Book Summit." On July 25, PBBY is holding a librarians' workshop called "Creative Reading Programs for School Libraries Servicing K-12 Learners" and a Children's Book Fair at the Rizal Library.


Philippine Children's Book Summit (July 21)

This whole-day summit will feature discussions on diverse topics such as Asian children's books, children's book illustration, best practices in copyright, children's librarianship, and Filipino comics. It will feature both local and international speakers.

Local authors and publishers who will be sharing their knowledge on children's content include M.J. Cagumbay Tumamac, author of Ngumiti si Andoy; poet and fictionist Kristian Cordero; Edgar Samar, author of the Janus Silang series; Blooey Singson, owner and writer of the blog Bookmarked!; Carljoe Javier, managing editor of Anino comics; and 2015 PBBY-Salanga Prize honorable mention winner, Cheeno Sayuno.

International speakers include the winner of the Illustrator's Award at the 2015 Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, Wen Dee Tan. Lili, one of Tan's picture books, won third place in the Macmillan Prize 2013, an annual picture book competition by Macmillan Children's Books UK. Joining Wen Dee Tan in the roster of international speakers is Mariko Nagai. Mariko is an Associate Professor of creative writing and Japanese literature at Temple University, Japan Campus in Tokyo, where she is also the Director of Research and Study Abroad Academic Coordinator. She has received the Pushcart Prizes both in poetry and fiction. Nagai's collection of poems, Histories of Bodies, won the Benjamin Saltman Prize from Red Hen Press, and her first collection of stories, Georgic: Stories won the 2009 G.S. Sharat Chandra Fiction Prize from BkMk Press.

The festival will be concluded by the awarding of the 2015 PBBY-Salanga Prize and 2015 PBBY-Alcala Prize.

The summit is open to authors, illustrators, publishers, educators, and librarians who are devoted in ensuring quality books for children. For inquiries about the summit, you may contact 352-6765 loc 204.

Librarians Workshop and Children's Book Fair (July 25)

This workshop to be run by PBBY member and librarian par excellance, Zarah Gagatiga, shall provide activities that will help librarians design and develop reading programs for students in the K-3; middle grades (4-8); junior high school (9-10); and senior high school (11-12) levels. Participants are encouraged to bring existing reading programs they implement in their school libraries. This will be followed by a presentation of recommended reads for kids and teens and a book discussion of favorite children's books.

A book fair, in cooperation with the Rizal Library of the Ateneo de Manila University, will feature local children's book publishers. Aside from launching their new titles, publishers will also hold exciting games and activities for everyone.

For inquiries about the workshop and book fair, you may contact 0939 934 6521.

The NCBD Book Fair Program

Come to the NCBD Book Fair dressed in your favorite Filipino book character and get a special treat! Play the NCBD Book Fair Game and win in the raffle! Meet and author and illustrator! View exhibits! There are lots to do and we hope to see you at the Rizal Library on Saturday, July 25, 2015!

NCBD Blog Tour: My Dream Date with a Filipino Author

We are on the second week of the NCBD Blog Tour. Last week, it rained children's books and young adult novels in many a Filipino readers' blog. This week, we are to write about our dream date.

If you could spend a day/night with a writer or illustrator, who would it be?

The writer or illustrator, living or deceased, should have works for Filipino children and young adults. There are no restrictions on the number of answers, genre, etc.

So, who is my dream date?

Nick Joaquin.

It is more of a dream interview, really.

We would be in a cafe somewhere in Quezon City, Cubao perhaps or a hole in the wall cafe in the Morato area. Manila isn't that bad too. Though I could not think of an artsy cafe in the Ermita-Malate. But anywhere where beer and coffee is served is fine.

 He would be drinking beer and I would be satisfied with cups and cups of brewed coffee. I would ask him questions about his series, Pop Stories for Groovy Kids. How the project was conceptualized. What was the reception of readers at the time? Because, in this day and age, if a library has a copy of his series, it is a gem. In my dream, he would reply something intellectual and I would be so impressed because it will take me days to unravel it.

Another question I wish to ask him is his belief on writing for kids and teens. How does he see writing for children and teens compared to adults? I read an essay he wrote for when he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award, saying in the essay that there really shouldn't be any divide between journalism and fiction writing. Or something to that effect.

Going back to reality, I have only his books, letters, essays and journals to read that are kept in select libraries. And to access these is not going to be easy since I am not a full scholar of his works nor do I have the time to visit such repositories. But I remain a fan who will read and reread his works.

This coming NCBD 2015, who is the author you are looking forward to meet?

Umuulan ng Libro! The 32nd National Children’s Books Day will be celebrated through two events. The Philippine Children’s Book Summit on July 21 at Elements Centris, EDSA, and the Children’s Book Fair on July 25 at Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University.

The Librarian’s Workshop: Creative Reading Programs for School Libraries Servicing K-12 Learners will also be held on July 25. For more information about any of the above events, please email pbby@adarna.com.ph or visit Philippine Board On Books For Young People Page on Facebook.

Invitation to the NCBD Book Fair 2015

02 from Zarah Gagatiga

NCBD Blog Tour: Favorite Books for Children and Young Adults

We begin the NCBD Blog Tour today!

Hulyo 7 – 13: Favorite Books

What is your favorite book for children and young adults?

The book should be written, illustrated, or published by a Filipino. There are no restrictions on the number of answers, genre, date of publication, language, etc.

My favorite children's books and YA novel are:

1. Alamat ng Ampalaya by Augie Rivera (Adarna House) - Because social justice is underrated.
2. Sandosenang Sapatos by Luis Gatmaitan (OMF-Hiyas) - Because life is not perfect and we are flawed beings. But our flaws and imperfections do not prevent us from loving. And this love, when it is real, can allow us to accomplish great things.
3. Chenelyn! Chenelyn! by Rhandee Garlitos (Adarna House) - Because we should be people for others, besides, this book is a good storytelling piece. The language and repetitive lines: Chenelyn! Chenelyn! make it so.
4. The Great Duck and Crocodile Race by Robert Magnuson (OMF-Hiyas) - Because one-upmanship is a paradigm or a mindset that must not be patronized. Collaborate instead. Cooperate and help each other out.
5. Shine by Candy Gourlay - Because I believe that words are powerful either when it is spoken or silenced.

So, there. Remember that July 21 is National Children's Book Day. See you in the Summit and in the NCBD Book Fair at the Rizal Library.

Umuulan ng Libro! The 32nd National Children’s Books Day will be celebrated through two events. The Philippine Children’s Book Summit on July 21 at Elements Centris, EDSA, and the Children’s Book Fair on July 25 at Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University. The Librarian’s Workshop: Creative Reading Programs for School Libraries Servicing K-12 Learners will also be held on July 25. For more information about any of the above events, please email pbby@adarna.com.ph or visit Philippine Board On Books For Young People Page on Facebook.

PBBY Librarians' Workshop: Invitation

Interested participants can use this as invitation to the PBBY Librarians' Workshop. For further details, please send an email to cpd4schoollibrarians@gmail.com.

Blog Tour: NCBD Book Fair 2015

Magandang araw!

Inaanyayahan namin kayong makilahok sa isang BLOG TOUR mula Hulyo 7 –25, 2015. Ang BLOG TOUR ay bahagi ng isang buwang pagdiriwang ng National Children’s Book Day (NCBD), na papatak ngayong July 21, 2015.

Ipinagdidiriwang ang NCBD tuwing ikatlong Martes ng Hulyo bílang paggunita sa pagkakalimbag ng “The Monkey and the Turtle” ni Jose Rizal sa Trubner’s Oriental Record sa London. Nangunguna ang
Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) sa pagdiriwang nito. Para sa impormasyon tungkol iba pang mga gawain ngayong buwan, bisitahin ang PBBY sa Facebook.

Bawat linggo, magpo-post ang mga lalahok sa BLOG TOUR ng sagot (sa anumang wikang ginagamit nila) sa mga tanong na may kinalaman sa mga Pilipinong aklat pambata at pangkabataan. Kailangang mai-post ito bago mag-6:00 NG dahil ibabahagi ito ng PBBY sa kanilang Facebook page nang mga 7:00 NG. Maaari namang gamitin ang mga hashtag na #UmuulanNgLibro #NCBDBookfair2015 at #NCBD2015 sa pagbabahagi sa social media.

Narito ang mga tanong sa bawat linggo:

        Hulyo 7 – 13: Paboritong Aklat

Ano ang paborito mong aklat pambata at pangkabataan? (Kailangang isinulat o iginuhit ito ng isang Pilipino. Maaari namang maglista nang higit sa isa pa.)

        Hulyo 14 – 19: Dream Date

Sinong manunulat o ilustrador ang nais mong makasama sa isang araw/gabí? (Kailangang mga aklat pambata at pangkabataan ang nililikha niya. Maaari ring maglista nang higit sa isa pa.)

        Hulyo 20 – 25: Wish List

Anong Pilipinong aklat pambata o pangkabataan ang gusto mong mailimbag? (Maaaring paksa, uri ng aklat, o ng isang manunulat o ilustrador. Maaaring maglista nang higit sa isa pa.)

Kung nais ninyong makilahok sa BLOG TOUR at tumulong sa pag-aanunsiyo ng mga gawain ng PBBY sa buwang ito, pakibigay ang sumusunod na impormasyon:
•       Pangalan (na gagamitin ng PBBY sa mga post nito)
•       Blog (pangalan ng blog at url)
•       Deskripsiyon (pagpapakilala sa isang pangungusap)
•       Mga Petsa ng Paglahok (isang araw bawat linggo, maliban sa Hulyo 21)
•       Tutulong sa mga Anunsiyo? (oo/hindi)

Umaasa kami sa inyong positibong tugon!


Sumasainyo,

Zarah Gagatiga
School Librarian in Action
(lovealibrarian.blogspot.com)

Xi Zuq (MJ)
Xi Zuq’s Nook
(xizuqsnook.com)

Preview: Bookwatch July Issue

Here is a sneak peek of the July issue of Bookwatch. On the cover is a kapre, smoking a tobacco, regaling his young audience with stories great and small. How apt since we celebrate National Children's Book Day (NCBD) this month. Certainly, there are stories to tell, great and small, about the NCBD and the people behind its industry.

As guest writer for this issue, I wrote a think piece on the PBBY Salanga and Alcala Prizes. I threw in a bit of history of the awards and how it helped the industry grow into what it is today. The National Children's Book Award (NCBS) is  in the article as well as the necessity of raising the bar in children's and young adult (YA) book publishing in the country.

Speaking of YA, there's news on the KABANATA Workshop too and a brief mention about the Pilar Perez Medallion. Such is the history for a clamor of books and reading materials for teens. This issue looks into that and if you are a children's lit or YA lit advocate, you may just find the list of tales and stories of the fantastic a starting point to campaign for the development of YA lit in the country today.

Thanks to Paolo Chikiamco, editor of Bookwatch, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to write about what is very close to my heart. Here's hoping we can keep inspiring more people to support the growth of Philippine Children's and Young Adult Literature.

NCBD Related Activities

NCBD 2015: Philippine Children's Book Summit

The Philippine Children's Book Summit 2015

Here is another awesome poster by Aaron Asis rendered for the Philippine Children's Book Summit of 2015.