Celebrating Women's Month with Children's Books

12 Children's Books by Women that Inspire Young Hearts

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Love Education Philippines (@lovedvolunteers)

Book Reviews and Recommended Reads: Light, Love and Revolution in Children's Literature (1 of 3)

February is a such happening month. We celebrate Valentine’s Day, National Arts Month, and the anniversary of People Power. All are reminders that love is not only personal, but creative and civic.

In these five Filipino children’s books, love appears as art made by hand, imagination set free, stories shared in libraries, light held in protest, and people gathered in peaceful unity. This month invites us to see that love can be expressed in creation, in memory, and in collective action and that even our youngest readers are part of that ongoing story.

Sayaw ng mga Ilaw (Dance of the Lights) by Cheeno Marlo Sayuno

Illustrated by Aaron Asis

The story centers on a child’s quest for hope and healing as it references the need to honor history. The narrative connects light with civic memory.

Ang Aklatang Pusa (The Cat Library) by Eugene Evasco

Illustrated by Jared Yokte

A cat works in a library and watches over books and readers. The story highlights the role of libraries as safe and shared spaces. It celebrates reading as a communal experience.

Ang Pambihirang Sombrero by Jose Miguel Tejido

A child discovers a hat that transforms depending on how it is imagined. Each page shows the hat becoming something new through visual interpretation. The book emphasizes imagination as an artistic act.

EDSA: A Counting Book by Russell Molina

Illustrated by Sergio Bumatay III

This counting book introduces children to the events and imagery of the 1986 People Power Revolution. Numbers are paired with scenes of unity and public gathering. It presents history in a format accessible to young readers.

Isang Harding Papel by Augie Rivera

Illustrated by Rommel Joson

A young girl creates a paper garden while scenes of the 1986 People Power movement unfold around her. The story connects personal creativity with a historical moment in the Philippines. It presents art as quiet resistance and remembrance.

#bookreview #phchildrensliterature #artsmonth #valentinesday #peoplepower2026

With the DepEd Philippines on Word Read Aloud Day 2026

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@zarahgeeh)

My 2025 Writing Life: Disaster Ready Kids Series (DRK): Flood, Fire, Earthquake, and Volcanic Eruption (1/4)

As 2025 draws to a close, I look back at a writerly year. I am mighty proud to have launched and presented seven titles of books: 1 series and 3 stand-alone illustrated storybooks for children with @lamparabooks @tuttlepublishing and @thebookmarkinc

First of seven is the Disaster Ready Kids Series (DRK): Flood, Fire, Earthquake, and Volcanic Eruption. @juno_abreu and I were interviewed at the Philippine Book Festival last March 2025, and though we were not in the Bologna Book Fair and the Frankfurt Buchmesse, our series was present. At the MIBF in September, we showed up for meet-and-greet sessions. There were author visits in between, where I had the pleasure of sharing my creative process with young readers and it was a joy to talk about the DRK Series with teachers and literacy experts at the Reading Association of the Philippines’ annual conference last November.

As I end this year, I do so with gratitude. For editors who believed, illustrators who brought heart to the page, publishers who took risks, teachers and librarians who carried these books into classrooms, and children who listened, asked questions, and saw themselves in the stories. Writing, I am reminded, is never solitary. It is sustained by community, trust, and grace. I step into the coming year thankful, grounded and ready to keep telling stories that serve, prepare, and hold.

#writinglife #phchildrensbook

Filipino Children’s Books on Disability, Neurodiversity & Aging (2/2)

Here is part 2 of my growing list of inclusive Filipino reads. These titles open gentle, meaningful conversations about emotions, different ways of thinking, and the realities of aging. Perfect for homes, classrooms, and libraries.

1. Pitong Tsinelas (Seven Slippers) by Divine Gil Reyes & Benjor Catindig

A playful, bilingual story where each slipper represents a feeling. A wonderful tool for social-emotional learning and for supporting children who express emotions in diverse or nonverbal ways.

2. Inside Daniel’s Head by Joji Reynes-Santos

A tender peek into the inner world of a child who processes thoughts, sensations, and interests differently. A powerful starting point for conversations about neurodiversity, perspective-taking, and acceptance.

3. Sixty Six (Book 1 & 2) by Russell Molina, Ian Sta. Maria & Mikey Marchan

A graphic novel series that reframes aging and physical limitation through humor, heart, and heroism. Not a children’s book, but a meaningful addition to discussions on inclusion—showing that age is part of our diversity story too.

These stories remind us that every mind, body, and journey matters.

Let’s keep building bookshelves that reflect empathy, dignity, and the many ways we move through the world.

#Bibliotherapy #readingmatters #phchildrensliterature #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities

Filipino Librarians Make a Choice

𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗣𝗕𝗕𝗬-𝗔𝗹𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲

 

Quick Asks on the State of Philippine Children's Literature

 This one is a request from my dear friend, Carla Pacis who will give a talk in the UP College of Education on Children's Literature.

1.   Please describe briefly, in your opinion, the state of Philippine Children’s Literature today?

Taking a good look at the production of books during the pandemic years and in the post pandemic times (which is “the now”), three movements are worth noting of:

a.   the publication of stories and books about LGBTQ+, genre fiction especially historical fiction, mental health, diversity and inclusion, regional language and delicate topics/sensitive issues continue to be written about

b.   the rise in self-publication or self-publishing like zines and comics; teacher made story books c/o DepEd initiatives and Filipino writers breaking into international publications

c.    concerted effort of book industry stakeholders to develop and grow PH Children’s Literature

2.   What still needs to be done?

a.   Continual growth and development through book fairs, identifying channels of distribution beyond circles and bubbles of those who have access to books and learning materials; panels and talks; workshops and residency

b.   RESEARCH in Philippine Children’s Literature

c.    College course in the study, documentation and archiving of PH Children’s Literature

d.   A library concentrated for PH Children’s Library Services

3.   What kind of books are still needed? What kind of books are you looking for?

a.   Poetry

b.   More, more novels

c.    Non-fiction books for K-12 or information and concept books for K-12

 

Wild Song Book Blog Tour: A Reading Guide for Readers, Teachers and Parents

ReadingPlan_WildSong by zarah gagatiga

Filipino Children's Books on Mental Health

Children’s Literature provides the reader and those who create it a space where they can explore and present varied experiences and realities of mental health and its complexities. Books and stories remain avenues for catharsis, healing and the assurance that one is never alone. Here are ten titles of children’s books that I believe, tackles mental health issues and ways of journeying with the child reader in his/her/their quest for well-being.

What is mental health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.1 Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. ~ CDC, About Mental Health

Components of Mental Health, World Health Organization

Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to the next, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes.

Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case.

1.      

         Canon, Christine. Bakit Matagal Ang Sundo Ko/ Why Is Mommy Late? Quezon

City: Adarna House, 2001.

A little girl patiently waits for mom to fetch her after school. When all the kids have gone home, she resolved to imagine the possible reasons why her mother is late in fetching her. And what imagination can do on a bored little child.

Gourlay, Candy. Sirena Ba ‘Yan? Quezon City: Adarna House, 2019.

Sirena Ba 'Yan? (Is That a Mermaid?) is Candy Gourlay's new picture book. It is about a dugong (sea cow) claiming itself as a mermaid to the chagrin of two kids who met this gentle sea creature by the shore. Together they go on an adventure with the dugong consistently keeping its claim, I am a mermaid!

Anonuevo, Rebecca. Ang Mahiyaing Manok. Quezon City: Adarna House, 2000.

Onyok is a shy rooster who could not crow. To overcome his shyness, his parents gave him all the encouragement he needs. He soon found his voice and his self-confidence. The writer’s use of onomatopoeia has been most effective to characterize Onyok and the change in his character.

 Bellen, Christine. Filemon Mamon. Quezon City: Adarna House, 2004.

Filemon is bent on losing weight so he can play Andres Bonifacio in the school play. With hard work and discipline, he realized the sacrifices he must take to be physically fit. Bellen’s narrative is simple and funny, but sticks to the real issues on obesity.

 Gatmaitan, Luis. Si Miyaw Kasi. Makati City: UNICEF, 2002.

 Nancy takes care of cat foundlings while her parents are away. What her parents could not provide her, she gave the foundlings.

 Rivera, Augie. XILEF. Quezon City: Adarna House, 2000.

 Felix is a young boy with dyslexia. Through the support of his parents & his teachers’ commitment to teach him, he eventually learned how to read & earned gained self-esteem.

Sunico, Ramon. Two Friends One World. Pasig City: Anvil/Cacho Publishing

A blind boy and his friend spends an afternoon at the park discovering the wonders of a tree, a mango fruit and the glow and color of

Patindol, Jean. Papa’s House, Mama’s House. Quezon City: Adarna House, 2004.

Mama explains, with patience, compassion & tolerance, the reasons for her separation from Papa. Using not too complicated words for a child to understand.

Remigio, Corazon. Bruhaha-Bruhihi. Quezon  City: Adarna House,

 A little girl suspects of having a witch for a neighbor. She conjured all the superstitious beliefs on witches that her experience afforded. From this schema, she believed that Mrs. Magalit is indeed a true-blue witch until a humiliating incident shattered all perceived ideas of the old woman. She is after all, just an old woman - shriveled, lonely and alone. Thus, the little girl extended her compassion and friendship to Mrs. Magalit.

 

 

Bibliotherapy: The Healing Magic of Stories on YT

Finally! 

I have uploaded my talk on Developmental Bibliotherapy on my YouTube channel. This lecture was improved, revised and  recorded during the pandemic. 

I hope you find this helpful, teachers, parents and librarians!

Call for Entries: 2023 Salanga Prize

Book Review: Ang Dangkal ni Matmat

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@the.readingarmy)