National Children's Book Day 2025

 

42nd NCBD Workshops: Bibliotherapy, Writing for Children and Illustrating for Kids

 

Alcala Prize 2025 Winner: Tin Javier

AKLATAN KO’Y KANLUNGAN: The Campaign for Diverse, Inclusive and Safe Spaces in School and Public Libraries

 AKLATAN KO’Y KANLUNGAN: A Campaign to Promote the Diverse, Inclusive, and Safe Space Programming in School and Public Libraries

Proponents: Zarah Gagatiga, PASLI PRO and PBBY Board Member;

Brian Aljer B. Coballes, Educational Media Center Coordinator,Ateneo de Manila University;

Alistair Troy B. Lacsamana, Librarian, Quezon City Public Library 

How the AKK Campaign Works

1. Register your name and school library. (Google Form)
2. Identify an area of library service and/or program of focus
    - Collection Development Program
    - Readers Services
    - Library Admin and Management; Policy Making 
    - Community and Civic Outreach by the Library              

    - Research on Inclusion and Diversity in the School Library

3. Upload a two-page description of the service or program including tools of assessment and evaluation (rubric, anecdotes, journals, survey, etc.)
4. Share an update of your progress on the PASLI Facebook Page  

and/or on your library’s social media page or site (FB, IG, TwtX, YT, TikTok)
5. Use the hashtags: #AKKCampaign2324; #safespaceLibrary; #LibraryForAll

 

Updates are done every two months - a total of six posts.

 

Stories of your AKK Campaign journey can include successes, victories and triumphs  

in big and small ways as well as mistakes and failures and the ways it helped you learn  

or derive insights from the experience.

 

The finished product will be presented in the first quarter of 2025. 

PBBY x PASLI Panel on Safe Space and Libraries

PBBY X PASLI PANEL: AKLATAN KO’Y KANLUNGAN

Manila International Book Fair, September 15, 2023

Friday, 10AM - 12NN SMX 5

The PBBY and PASLI panel on Safe Space in Libraries with the title Aklatan Ko’y Kanlungan is inspired by the stories of children and young people growing up in the post COVID19 era. It is a time when changes happen so fast; when advancements in technology are at an accelerating speed; when the quest to balance wellbeing and health are at a threat of uncertain phenomena like plagues, natural disasters caused by climate change as well as human fallacies and frailties. What a bleak way to begin life after lockdown in this outlook. This only goes to show that PBBY and PASLI are aware of the realities that impede the continued growth of children and young people. A conversation about safe spaces for children and young people in the provision of diverse and inclusive programs for them can be an opportunity to identify ways and means to manage and mitigate in the midst of change and chaos.

The panel has topics on policies and white papers on inclusion and diversity; as well as best practices in the pursuit of the rights of all human beings and their consequent development in the context of children’s books, literature and media, reading programs and library services for children. Specifically, the Invited panelists, librarian Alistair Troy B. Lacsamana of the Quezon City Public Library and Brian Aljer B. Coballes, Ateneo de Manila University's Educational Media Center coordinator will present best practices of safe space in the school and public library. PASLI PRO and PBBY Board Member, Zarah Gagatiga will provide seven discussion points on growing a diverse and inclusive school library collection

PBBY's New Representative for Illustrators is Ms. Liza Flores

Last July 18, 2023, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People sworn in Ms. Liza Flores as board member and representative for the sector of illustrators. She has once again, lent her time for the blog and its readers for this interview.

1. As PBBY Rep for Illustrators, what can you bring to the table that will further enhance the growth of children’s book illustration in the country?

Ang INK is what I bring to the table, along with the learnings from Ang INK’s founding members, and the experience of working with INKies of different generations.

As PBBY Rep, I hope to do more of what I have been doing with Ang INK, but with a wider reach, and closer collaboration with other sectors in the industry:

• showcase the works of illustrators 

• uplift the quality of illustrations for children

• articulate and protect the rights of illustrators

• define and promote professionalism among illustrators

2. How would you describe ANG INK in this era of AI, climate change, multiverse storylines and metacognition?

While primarily known as illustrators for children, Ang INK has claimed a place as an organization of illustrators in general. 

Ang INK therefore, has the responsibility and opportunity to address issues that affect young people (like climate change), and new technologies that have an impact on illustrators (like AI).

But this is nothing new to Ang INK. 

Through its exhibitions, books, and other projects, Ang INK has always focused on the various aspects of Filipino life, while promoting certain advocacies that are significant to the Filipino child. We have tackled matters concerning children’s rights, the pandemic, environmental conservation and protection, the promotion of literacy, awareness of and appreciation for Philippine culture, and so on.

The issues and the environment today may have changed—perhaps more challenging—but Ang INK’s charge is the same.

3. What are your top 5 book recommendations to readers of children’s books?

Sayaw ng mga Kamaymag Kamay, Joanna Que at Fran Alvarez / Dancing Hands, Charina Marquez (English translation)

Papuntang Community Pantry, Eugene Evasco at lAdy Aguirre

Pagkatapos ng Unos, Harry Monzon 

Mang Andoy’s Signs, Mailin Paterno and Isabel Roxas

Hati Tayo!, Russell Molina at Dominic Agsaway 

Call for Entries: 2023 Salanga Prize

National Childen's Book Award 2022

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A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@teetahzee)

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!

July 19 is National Children's Book Day

A Treat for Teachers: Beauty Tips and the Healing Values of Stories

Author Interview: Iza Marie Reyes, 2021 Salanga Grand Prize Winner

Congratulations to Iza Marie Reyes for winning the 2021 Salanga Prize!

Here is the official press release of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY).

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) awards this year’s PBBY-Salanga Grand Prize to Iza Maria Reyes for her story, Ang Tahanang Hindi Tumatahan. It is a poignant piece about the pain and hardship a family goes through in the middle of a separation, beautifully told through a metaphor of a crying house.

Reyes is a teacher who is currently taking her master’s in Malikhaing Pagsulat at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She was a fellow for Creative Nonfiction at Palihang Rogelio Sicat 10 and the 1st PUP Multi-Genre Workshop, and has won awards for her essays in Filipino. This is her first PBBY-Salanga Prize.

And now, for her interview.

Ano ang kahulugan para sa iyo ng paglikha, lalo na sa konteksto ng kuwentong pambata?

Simula pagkabata, outlet para sa akin ang pagsusulat. Mahilig ako noon mag-diary, at binabalikan ko ang mga naisulat ko sa paglipas ng mga taon. Nakita ko na sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat, mas naunawaan ko ang sarili, at mas naproseso [ang] mga nararamdaman. Sa paglaki, ito rin ang naging gampanin ng mga kuwentong natutunghayan ko, naririnig man, pinapanood, o binabasa. Dahil sa mga kuwento, nauunawaan ko ang sarili at ang ibang tao. Nauunawaan ko ang mga karanasan na naranasan ko at hindi naintindihan noong una, pati mga karanasan na hindi ko pa nararanasan o mararanasan ko pa lamang.

Ito ang kahulugan at kahalagahan ng paglikha para sa akin, lalo na ng mga kuwentong pambata. Maraming komplikadong mga sitwasyon at emosyon ang maaaring pagdaanan ng isang bata, dahil komplikado ang buhay at ang pagiging tao. Patuloy akong nagkukuwento at lumilikha dahil umaasa akong magsisilbing kaibigan at kasama ang mga akda ko sa mga mambabasa, ano man ang edad, tulad kung paano ako dinamayan ng mga kuwentong nabasa ko.

Sino ang iyong role model o influences sa pagsusulat ng kuwentong pambata?

Ang pinakamalaking impluwensya ko sa pagsusulat ay si Rene Villanueva, sa personal na sanaysay at kuwentong pambata. Sa kuwentong pambata, sa kaniya ko natutuhan na ang kuwentong pambata ay higit ano man, isang kuwento. Mahalagang nauunawaan at naa-appreciate ito hindi lamang ng mga bata, kung hindi ng kahit mas matatandang mambabasa. Mahalagang may kahulugang makukuha rito ang batang mambabasa, at ang mga mas nakatatandang mambabasa. Sa kaniya ko rin natutuhan na kailangang sinusuri at sinasama sa kuwento ang konteksto ng bata bilang Filipino, at ng lipunang kinabibilangan niya.

Ano ang aklat pambata na sana ay ikaw ang nakapagsulat?

Paborito ko ngayon ang "Nemo, Ang Batang Papel" ni Rene Villanueva dahil tinatalakay nito ang malaki at mahalagang isyung panlipunan sa paraang mauunawaan ng iba't ibang mga edad. Mabigat ang kuwento ngunit malikhain ang pagkakakuwento. Mabigat ang kuwento subalit kailangang maikuwento, kaya isinulat. Ito sana ang hiling kong palagi kong magawa bilang isang manunulat.

5 recommended books for aspiring writers of children’s stories?

- Nemo, Ang Batang Papel ni Rene Villanueva
- Papel de Liha ni Ompong Remigio
- Sandosenang Sapatos ni Luis Gatmaitan
- Ang Bonggang-bonggang Batang Beki ni Rhandee Garlitos
- Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin ni Bernadette Villanueva Neri 

Watch the online awards ceremony of the National Children's Book Day 2021.

Illustrator Interview: Christina Javier, 2021 Alcala Prize Winner

Congratulations to Ms. Christina L. Javier for winning the 2021 Alcala Prize!

Here is the official press release from the PBBY website.

The 2021 PBBY-Alcala Prize was awarded to Christina L. Javier, a mixed media and collage artist from Cavite. Ms. Javier won for her illustrations based on the 2021 PBBY-Salanga prize-winning story “Ang Tahanang Hindi Tumatahan” by Iza Maria Reyes.

Javier’s art involves recycling used paper, reused stamps, and punched paper to add style and texture to her work. She was a contributor for two issues of Novice Magazine and was commissioned by the NCCA, under the e-storytelling project of Sentro Rizal in 2020. She is currently a member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK).

And now, for her interview.

1. Ano ang kahulugan para sa iyo ng paglikha, lalo na sa konteksto ng kuwentong pambata? May espesyal bang dahilan kung bakit collage ang pinili mong estilo?

Ang paglikha gamit ang mixed media para sa kuwentong pambata para sa akin ay napakahalaga. Para sa akin, isa itong tulay na nagbubuklod sa iba’t ibang kabataan na may iba't ibang karanasan, at mula rito, nalalaman ng mga bata na hindi sila nag-iisa sa ganitong sitwasyon or nagkakaroon ng kamalayan at pagmamalasakit sa iba. Bilang ina, bago pa man ako naging ilustrador, sa mga kuwentong pambata ko ipinapakilala ang mga scenarios, uri ng kapansanan, at iba sa aking mga anak.

Collage naman ang aking napili dahil mas malaya ako ilagay ang detalye sa aking mga piyesa, bukod sa parang puzzle na nakakatuwang gawin ang ganitong estilo, madami ring bata ang mahikayat na maging resourceful sa kanilang art materials, lalo mga reused grocery brown bags ang kadalasang aking ginagamit.

2. Sino ang iyong role model o influences sa pag-iilustrate ng kuwentong pambata? Ang aking role models na illustrators ay sina Morgana Wallace, Clare Youngs, at Dinara Mirtalipova. Si Morgana Wallace, isang paper artist from Canada, ay isa sa aking paborito. Gumagamit siya ng gouache at paper cutting style na parang 3D. Maganda rin ang kanyang balance sa kulay at composition. Si Clare Youngs, isang British collage artist ang isa sa nag-inspire sa akin na gumamit ng mga papel na nagamit na. Kadalasang themes niya ay tungkol sa mga hayop na talagang pambata ang estilo. Samantalang si Dinara naman, isang Uzbek folklorist, ang nag-inspire sa akin na ipagpatuloy gumamit ng maliliit na detalye sa aking mga piyesa. Di ito masyado makikita sa aking illustrations sa PBBY entries ko, ngunit mahilig ako maglagay ng masyadong intricate na detalye, depende sa proyekto.

3. Ano ang aklat pambata na sana ay ikaw ang nakapag-illustrate?

Sa tingin ko gusto ko magawa ang kuwento na MARIA SIBOL: Ang Natatanging Batang Diwata mula sa contest ng Lampara Books Illustrator contest. Isa ito sa mga kuwentong aking naibigan sa unang basa pa lamang.   4. Please share 5 recommended books for aspiring illustrators of children’s stories?

For [a] range of paper art and collage picture books, I recommend, Morgana Wallace and Jahn Wall’s “Hedy and her Inventions”, Dinara Mirtalipova’s illustrated book “Leila in Saffron” for folklore and [an] intricate vibe; Sergio Bumatay III's illustrated book, “The White Shoes” (It is a nice approach of also using of pastels on kraft paper. It shows how the brown color can be used for picture books, too). Clare Youngs’ “Animal Parade”, for animal collage inspiration. “I Am the Change in Climate Change” an activity book for children written by Mrs. Alyssa Alampay and Ang INK. Just looking at the different works of Inkies, will give aspiring illustrators different options and inspirations from style, media, and composition.

Watch Ms. Javier's acceptance speech and message delivered last July 20, 2021 at the virtual ceremony of National Children's Book Day.

Inclusivity, Diversity and the 38th National Children's Book Day at Tabang Kariton sa DYME TV Radyo Masbate

 

Here is a recorded video of my guest appearance in Tabang Kariton's episode last Sunday, July 25, 2021 where topics about inclusivity, diversity and representation were taken up. We celebrate National Children's Book Day this month of July and PBBY is gearing up for the Children's Book Summit this coming Saturday, July 31, 2021.

PBBY Dalisayan 2021: An Online Storytelling and Arts Festival for Children

 As we are celebrating the 38th National Children's Book Day (NCBD) and the Children's Book Summit (CBS) this July, I am proud to share with you these links to PBBY's Dalisayan 2021. 

The Dalisayan 2021 is an online festival of stories where in storytellers and publishers collaborated in telling selected award winning books to children with arts and craft activities. For the past four Saturdays the PBBY hosted these online events for families, schools and learning communities on quarantine. The fight against COVID-19 and its mutating variants is not over yet but our resiliency to live and hope for a better tomorrow is eternal. May the Dalisayan 2021 fuel you and your children's resolve to face each day with a smile in the midst of challenges both personal and external. 

PBBY stands for The Philippine Board in Books for Young People, a non-profit organization spearheading the celebration of the NCBD and CBS partnered with the National Book Development Board to make this year's Dalisayan a reality.

Araw sa Palengke (Tobias and Roxas, Adarna House 2010) - Storytelling by Kuya Rich with art and enrichment activity in making your own nutritious basket!

Habulan (Dandan-Albano and Parrocha, Anvil 2017) - Storytelling by Kuya Yong with art and enrichment activity on the basics of drawing and illustrating.

Pitong Sinelas (Reyes and Catindig, Tahanan Books 2019) - Storytelling by Kuya Yong with art and enrichment activity on making foam slippers.

Ang Sampung Bukitkit (Evasco and Crisostomo, Chikiting Books 2014) - Storytelling by Kuya Rich with art and enrichment activity on Flip Cards.

Visit the PBBY FB Page for more details on the Children's Book Summit on Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Philippine Children's Book Summit 2021: Inclusivity & Diversity in Children's Literature

 

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Zarah Gagatiga (@zarah815)

Children's Book Summit 2021

Calling all lovers of children's literature!

In cooperation with the National Book Development Board (NBDB), The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is holding the Philippine Children's Book Summit 2021 on July 31, 2021.

Stay tuned for more details

The 38th NCBD: Dalisayan

 Calling all kids ages 8-10: the PBBY is holding FREE storytelling and art workshops every Saturday of July, to celebrate National Children's Book Month.

The first 40 registrants will get free books and art kits! Register by emailing pandayan.trade@gmail.com .

Let's celebrate Filipino children's literature in July!

The 38th National Children's Book Day

It's National Children's Book Day on July 20, 2021 and our theme for this year's celebration is Magkaiba? Magkaisa! Magbasa.

Download the official poster featuring the artwork of artist Abi Goy at bit.ly/NCBDPoster2021.

The 2020 National Children's Book Award Winners

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) announce the winners of the 6th National Children’s Book Awards (NCBA). From 218 nominated titles and a shortlisted 29 finalists, 3 titles emerged as winners. The NCBA is a biennial event that honors the best published books for children and young adults published in the previous two years. A maximum of ten titles may be included in the Best Reads list. In 2014 and 2016, a panel of child judges shortlisted ten titles and voted for their top choice through the Kids’ Choice Award.

The passion to develop children’s books in the country can be traced to Dr. Jose Rizal’s retelling of “The Monkey and the Turtle.” This was published in Trubner's Oriental Record in London in July 1889. The third Tuesday of July is celebrated as National Children's Book Day to commemorate the anniversary of its publication.

The awards aim to encourage parents and care givers to spend more time reading with their children while recommending the best published works.

The winners for the 6th National Children’s Book Awards are:

Ang Maliit na Kalabaw

Illustrated and written by Liza Flores

Adarna House, Inc., 2018

Cashaysayan: A History of Philippine Money (Halo-Halo Histories Book 2)

Written by Michelline Suarez, Joonee Garcia, and Divine Reyes

Illustrated by Benjor Catindig

Tahanan Books for Young Readers, 2018

Pitong Tsinelas (Seven Slippers)

Written by Divine Gil Reyes

Illustrated by Benjor Catindig

Tahanan Books for Young Readers, 2018

The NCBA is co-administered by NBDB with PBBY. The PBBY is a private, nonstock, nonprofit organization committed to the development of children's literature in the Philippines.

The NCBA is judged by a panel of award-winning children’s book authors, illustrators, and scholars. The esteemed judges are Dr. Christine Bellen-Ang, Dr. Rebecca Anoñuevo, Ms Dolores Carungui, Dr. Lina De Rivera, and Mr. Russell Molina.

This year, the NBDB and PBBY accepted nominations of books published in 2018 and 2019.

The awarding ceremony will be held in July 2021 during the National Children’s Book Day celebration.