When We Read, We Never Walk Alone: An Interview with Ms. Andrea Posner Sanchez, Editorial Director of Little Golden Book

On October 4, 2025, the ARMY of Bangtan (AoB), in partnership with Fully Booked and Penguin Random House, hosted a joyful book party to celebrate the launch of BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography. Parents and children filled the space with laughter and excitement as they joined games, raffles, and a read-aloud of the beloved children’s book.

For ARMYs, this event marks a milestone worth cherishing. A beautiful moment where two icons meet. BTS and the Little Golden Book series come together to leave both children and adults with a legacy of inspiration, creativity, and love that will last for generations to come.

As AoB’s Bangtan Hermana, librarian, author, and ARMY, I was deeply honored to be given the chance to interview Ms. Andrea Posner-Sanchez, albeit online and through Ms. Jennifer Javier and Rafa Ashraf, of Penguin Random House. 

Ms. Posner-Sanchez is Editorial Director of Little Golden Books. In this interview, Ms. Posner-Sanchez shared the creative process behind bringing BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography to life.

ARMYs, both young and old, will be delighted to learn about the thoughtful decisions and care that went into every page. Readers of all ages will come away inspired, seeing how pop culture can open meaningful avenues for learning, imagination, and connection.

1. What inspired Little Golden Books to include BTS in its iconic biography series, and what does their story bring to young readers that felt essential to highlight?

When considering who to feature in a Little Golden Book Biography, we look for notable and inspiring people from diverse backgrounds. When author Jan Ann suggested BTS, I honestly didn't know much about them aside from the fact that they were enormously popular. I did some research and quickly learned that BTS doesn't just make terrific music. What sold me on the book was watching footage of RM at the UN General Assembly urging young people to "Speak Yourself". That was just one inspiring moment Jan Ann included in her manuscript. Other parts of BTS's story we felt were essential to highlight for our young readers include overcoming obstacles, working together, and not giving up on one's dreams.

2. The Little Golden Book Biography series has featured changemakers, artists, and leaders across history. How does BTS’ inclusion reflect the series’ commitment to introducing children to figures who shape culture?

There is no doubt that BTS has shaped culture! They significantly increased global interest in K-pop and South Korean culture through their relatable music. Their countless Korean-language hits such a Mic Drop, Idol, Spring Day, prove that music transcends language. And they took artist-fan relationships to a whole new level by using social media to directly engage with fans around the world.

3. From an editorial perspective, what were the most important values or messages you wanted to emphasize in the BTS Little Golden Book—especially for children just learning to read?

The members of BTS exhibit so many good qualities that are beneficial for young children to read about. As an editor—and a mom—I especially appreciate how kind, respectful, empathetic, and gracious RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are.

4. BTS’ journey is deeply rooted in themes of resilience, creativity, and hope. How do you see their story resonating with families and children outside of the fandom?

Everyone loves a success story! Through a combination of talent, hard work, perseverance, and staying true to themselves, BTS overcame challenges as they chased their dreams to become global superstars. Even people unfamiliar with their music can appreciate that.

5. Looking ahead, what role do you think books like this play in bridging popular culture and children’s literature, especially in helping young readers discover joy in reading through the lives of people they admire?

Any book that inspires a child to read is a good book. The more you read, the more you improve your literacy skills. Reluctant readers especially may be more inclined to pick up a book about their favorite actor, athlete, or K-pop group rather than try to read and comprehend an unknown story. Little Golden Book Biographies about pop culture icons are a terrific way to help encourage a love of reading.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit the nearest Fully Booked in your area and get a copy! Read with your child! Shine! Dream! Smile!

Book Launch: Too Loud: Soothing Sensory Overload with Music

 

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Book Launch: Sulatan sa Panahon ng Pandemya

I was down with very bad diarrhea on Saturday last week I thought I would miss the book launch of Sulatan sa Panahon ng Pandemya (Gantala Press, 2022). It is a book project that took a year to complete. Edited by Merlinda Bobis, Joi Barrios LeBlanc and Mailin Paterno, it is a collection of letters by women and of women living through and surviving with grace and wonder during the pandemic. 

So glad my tummy and this aging body cooperated. 

Please go to the IG account of Gantala Press and have a look at this work of love.

Congratulations to Gantala Press, the editors and the women who opened and shared their stories. Thank you so much to ADHIKA, Inc. and Likhaan Creative Writing Foundation.

I am proud to be part of this book project at the same time, I am humbled to be among the roster of these wonder women, mga kababaihang Pilipina!

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Book Launch: Sulatan sa Panahon ng Pandemya

 

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Book Launch: Mama Mary's Children Volume 5

Author of the Month: John Couret

The blog's author of the month is Mr. John Couret.

He is the CEO of Write Hook Media. He is an author, a motivational speaker, “The Success Coach of Champions,” an actor, an entrepreneur, and the radio show host of “Breaking Barriers” on community radio station WHIV 102.3FM in New Orleans. He has acted in feature films as well as on television. His new personal growth book, Breaking Barriers: How to Knock Out Adversity and Live Life as a Champion releases in Summer 2016.

His followers look forward to his daily quotes, which are posted to his social media platforms. His weekly motivational blog posts every Monday and he hosts a weekly video series on YouTube called “Championship Minute,” which features a 60 second motivational message every Wednesday.

Here is an interview I had with John where he speaks about his writing journey and the motivation that pushed him to break barriers.

a. This is your first book. Congratulations! What has been the most meaningful experience you had while working on the book? As chronicled in my book, I am legally blind. My sweetheart and business partner, Dianne de Las Casas, was instrumental in helping me articulate my story. She would type my words as I dictated them. The entire process, from start to finish, took about two months. The most meaningful part about the process was discovering that my story had merit and could inspire people. I took what could have been the worst event in my life (losing my sight) and turned it into a positive experience. I hope that my stories encourage others to keep moving forward and know that it always gets better. Never throw in the towel! b. As a radio show host, your reach is wide enough to communicate your message in inspiring people and helping others. What do you wish to accomplish with the publication of the book? A book is a legacy and I wanted to leave a legacy for my family. People respect the written word and tend to treat books with reverence. I also want to change the world and help people break through their barriers. It's important for all of us to "become our own heroes," to quote you so eloquently. c. In Chapter 8 of the book, there was a line that says, ...something deep inside told me to get going... What was that SOMETHING? I prayed to God for an answer and I received a message. The message was, "Don't give up. This is not a terrible ending. It's a beautiful beginning." I would encourage people who are going through a tough time in their lives to remember that "this too shall pass." The night is always darkest before the dawn but then the light comes... d. What is your birthday wish? I would love to see people all over the world using my book as a healing tool for overcoming the obstacles in their own lives. I want to see people breaking barriers worldwide! Today is John's birthday and he will celebrate it with the launch of his first book. The book launch, dubbed as Breaking Barriers Book Birthday Bash, is scheduled today at 1-4PM (USA, EST) at Tubby and Coo's Bookshop,  631 N Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, LA.  Dianne de Las Casas, Vice President and Editor in Chief of Write Hook Media will be at the launch to support John on his first venture into book publishing. Kid Chef Eliana is catering a sumptuous menu for guests, visitors, friends and family. If you are from New Orleans, join John in his birthday book bash, buy the book and help others too. 10% of the net proceeds will go to the Giving Hope Foundation. For fans of Dianne and John from all over the world, there might be a live feed of the birthday book bash on Facebook!

Book Review: Modern Heroes For the Filipino Youth Series

Back in 2010, Bookmark won a Best Reads National Children's Book Award for Lub-Dub Lub-Dub, a biography of Dr. Fe Del Mundo the first woman pediatrician in the Philippines. Written by Rusell Molina and illustrated by Jomike Tejido, the book is part of Bookmark's  Great Men and Women of Asia–Children’s Series. The series brings together stories of ordinary people who've done extraordinary acts of goodness that it elevated them to heroic status. Specifically, the heroes featured in the series are awardees of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards. At a time when teachers and librarians are looking for biography books for children to read, Bookmark took the brave initiative to have this series published.

And they've only just begun on this courageous venture as another series is produced for the Filipino young reader: The Modern Heroes For the Filipino Youth Series.  The series aims to present role models for young people to emulate. Each story in the series contains a central theme that exemplifies a moral value or characteristic or an exemplary incident in the life of each principal character. So it says in each of the book's blurb.

The books live up to its aims as values of bravery, courage and love of country, bespeak of the stories of Ninoy Aquino, Ed Jopson, Jaime Ongpin, Vidal Lorenzo Tan, Gen. Vicente Lim, and Jose Abad Santos. The stories of Richie Fernando, Sr. Christine Tan and Macliing Dulag would inspire young readers to look at love, service for others, determination and social justice in a new light. 

The series also features the artistic genius of Lino Brocka and Jovita Fuentes; the ingenuity and business acumen of Margarita Dela Cruz Santiago; the dedication of Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros SJ to bring liturgical music closer to church parishioners; the drive and endurance of Filipino scientists Drs. Lourdes Cruz and Baldomera Olivera Jr.; and the heart and passion of Doreen Fernandez to teaching and writing.

Written by the country's best writers and illustrated by select artists, the series is a beautiful medley of good storytelling and strong visuals. Readers young and old would definitely feel the creators' intent at putting in their best effort and talents to produce quality reading material. What really worked for me, as far as this series is concerned, is it's message of revisiting core values that would help define our identity as a nation in this age of rapid change and globalization. At a time when we're all going through problems that challenge our moral fiber, we need stories to remind us that we're capable of making the right choices no matter how difficult the odds are.

Bookmark's launching of Modern Heroes for the Filipino Youth Series Children's Books and other titles is on Feb. 5, 2014, Wednesday, 3.00PM-8.00PM at the Last Chukker, Manila Polo Club, Makati. For details check Bookmark's events-link on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/events/208450979341623/

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!

Book Launch: Top Ten Travels

Scott Lee Chua, a former student, will be launching his books about places he's been to. Congrats Scott!

Book Launch: A Tall Story

I missed Candy Gourlay give a talk last year. I will definitely meet her on NCBD. And yes, fortunately, I can drop by and buy her book on the 21st of July. See you!

Book Launch Earth Tales: Three Ecofables For Children

March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD). In some countries like China, Russia and Kazahkstan, IWD is an official holiday. Tradition has it that mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, daughters, female friends and colleagues would get flowers and small gifts of appreciation from the men in their lives. In different parts of the world, IWD is celebrated to honor the contributions of women in the family and in society at large.

In the Philippines, the Center for Arts New Ventures And Sustainable Development (CANVAS) partnered with the Ten Outstanding Women of the Nation for Service (TOWNS) Foundation to drum up this special day for women through the launching of a children’s book of ecofables. As the term implies, the fables carry themes on ecology, nature and care for the environment.

Realizing The Vision

Since its initial foray in the children’s book industry four years ago, CANVAS has remained true to its vision and mission of providing avenues for the Filipino artist to grow and develop. It continues to put together an assembly of luminaries in the literati and in the visual arts arena for a worthy cause. This time around, its beneficiary is the TOWNS Foundation who, for the last 30 years, has recognized achievements and accomplishments of Filipino women in various fields of discipline.

That is why, last Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 3:00 pm, TOWNS awardees were present at 1/of Gallery in Serendra, Taguig City for the launching of the book Earth Tales: Three Ecofables for Children. To name a few, publisher Karina Bolasco, educator Dina Ocampo, geologist Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, and Filipino-Chinese advocate Teresita Ang See attended the event. More than a fund raising activity, the afternoon was an amalgamation of literary, performing and visual arts gems for the young and the young at heart.

While the gallery had the paintings of the book’s illustrators for interested clients and the culturati, Hazelle Preclaro-Ontengco, Executive Director of Wordlab School Manila, provided storytelling sessions to the kids who came. The competent teacher that she is, she was well prepared with props, visual aids and, a song and dance ensemble. TOWNS President, Atty. Lorna Kapunan came fashionably late but redeemed herself by sharing words of wisdom to the older set of audience. She harped on the importance of reading books. She added that the learning experiences of childhood are carried on until adulthood. Gigo Alampay, CANVAS head honcho, thanked everyone who came and supported the collaborative project with TOWNS Foundation.

Wonder Women

Published by UST Press, the book Earth Tales: Three Ecofables for Children, gathers two fables from traditional folk literature and one original fable by Canadian scientist Paul Leet Aird. All three stories speak of the relevance in keeping nature’s gifts and treasures in a balance. Told simply and succinctly, all three fables are timeless. It appeals to readers of all ages. But what make the book extra special are the illustrations done by three fantastic Filipino women artists that the country has today.

Plet Bolipata, Liza Flores and Ivee Olivares-Mellor lent their artistic interpretations to the ecofables. The result was a visual delight that extended the narrative flow of the stories into powerful and lasting images.

The first fable, The Hummingbird, traces its origins from a Japanese folklore. It tells of the thumb-size bird’s effort to douse a forest fire using its small beak by fetching water from the river. All the animals fled for their lives save for the tiny hummingbird that did what it can to put out a raging fire destroying their home. Bolipata’s collage and digital art magnified the heroics of the little one. The last illustration for the story unfolds with a woman, the storyteller, whose yellow kimono contains the whole story of the little bird in silk tapestry. For Bolipata, the journey into illustrating the ecofable had been most challenging since her paintings were stand alone pieces and do not follow the structure of a story grammar. But she succeeded because her vivid colors and inventive style are a wonder to the eyes.

Flores, on the other hand, is a seasoned illustrator for children and former Ang Illustrador Ng Kabataan (INK) president. She found the whole project a liberating experience. Working on the illustrations of The Star Thrower did not confine her to any agenda except her own. As it often happens to author-illustrator collaborations in children’s book production, the author has his or her own viewpoints and messages to put across. In such a partnership, the illustrator is a conduit to communicate whatever purpose the story has.

For this endeavor, it allowed her the artistic freedom to visually interpret the story. Her star thrower, a little girl in red summer dress seem to dance by the sea shore as she throws each starfish back to the sea. The peaceful blue of sky and sea agreed with the quiet and neutral creamy yellow of the sand. The whole effect is sentimental but pleasantly playful. It evokes joyful memories of trips to the beach with family and friends many summers ago.

The last fable, The King and the Forest, an original by Aird was illustrated by the UK based Mellor. Her circles gave characterization to the south wind that frightened the King to his downfall. By using spheres and elliptical shapes, she has shown the relationship of the elements of air, land and water with humanity. Aird invites us to examine our fears as we relate to the living and breathing creatures around us while Mellor presents patterns of life cycles in her bright and intense colors of red, yellow, orange, blue, green and purple.

This book of ecofables is labeled for children to read and enjoy. Above all else, it attempts to reach out and make art accessible to young people. CANVAS has been successful so far. Here’s looking forward to its next literary and visual feast for the young reader and their reading guardians.

CANVAS Launch Ecofables for Children

CANVAS (www.canvas.ph) proudly invites you to the launch of its latest book: CANVAS Tales - 3 Ecofables for Children, on Sunday, March 8 at 3pm at 1/of Gallery, Shops at Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila.

CANVAS Tales is a collection of three timely and timeless environmental stories for children, brought to life by three of the best young Filipina artists around.

*** The Hummingbird (author unknown, art by Plet Bolipata)
*** The King and the Royal Trees (by Paul Aird, art by Ivee Olivares-Mellor)
*** The Star Thrower (author unknown, art by Liza Flores)


CANVAS is a non profit organization dedicated to promoting greater awareness and appreciation for Philippine art, culture and the environment. For more information, please visit www.canvas.ph.

'Tis the Season To Book Launching

And yet another book will be launched.

The Salanga 2008 winner, Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu! by Nanoy Rafael will be presented to the public on Friday, November 21, 2008. Illustrations were done by Serge Bumatay III who bagged this year's Alcala.

Book Launchings: Foldabots & The Filipino Family

The talented Mr. Jomike Tejido will be launching a new "interactive book". His Dinosaur Pop-Up book by the Adarna House was a hit among kids and kids at heart. Now, Jomike ventures into gadgets, animals and other watchamacallirs, the art of paper folding and cutting that entertains and teaches a skill or two at the same time. Below are details of his new book and its launching

WHERE: POWERBOOKS LIVE, Greenbelt 3, Makati

WHEN: Nov. 15, 2008, Saturday

TIME: 3pm- 5pm

WEBSITE: www.foldabots.multiply.com


FOLDABOTS are cut-out paper robots that can transform into animals or vehicles, and back!. The best thing about it is that kids can make it themselves!

FOLDABOTS is an on-going monthly publication in K-Zone Magazine since May 2006. Pinoy kids have been creating the characters that shout Pinoy pride: Buhawi, the Phil. Eagle, Kidlat the race car, Ukay the excavator truck, Bangis the guard dog and many others! It's a fusion of art, Filipino nationalism and toy-collecting where kids don't just buy toys, but learn to create them!

THE TOY BOOK also has 12 free AGIMAT POWER playing cards for hours and hours of fun! YOU JUST GOTTA BE THERE, And be part of Foldabots history! The event will be covered and uploaded in Youtube for the world to see! GAMES! DRAWING CONTEST! PRIZES! plus Special prizes for early birds who sign up!

On the side of more serious things, Quenna Lee-Chua and Dr. Honey Carandang will likewise have their own book launching. Their book, The Filipino Family: Surviving the World will be launched at Powerbooks, Megamall on November 8, 2008 at 10 AM. Knowing Queena Lee-Chua, I'm pretty sure the book is a product of scholarly research.

The start of November seems to be an exciting and productive one for the book and publishing industry. It's National Book Month and very soon, workshops and Book Week activities will abound. Watch out for more announcements!

Another Launch

From my Inbox --

You are cordially invited to the book launch and one-man art exhibition of CANVAS' latest children's book, Si Lupito at ang Baryo Sirkero (Lupito and Circus Village). Written by Rowald Almazar, with original artworks by Jose Santos III, the story is the winner of CANVAS' 3rd Annual Romeo Forbes Children's Storywriting Competition.

The book launch and art exhibition opens with cocktails on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 6pm at the Ayala Museum's ArtistSpace. The show runs until July 21, 2008.

After the very "privy" book launch of The Night Monkeys last night at Mary Grace, Serendra by Tahanan Books, CANVAS maintains the momentum. Such events keep the industry abuzz. With the 25th NCBD coming in this July 15, 2008, what new titles of books would arouse the child reader's reading interest?

101 Filipino Icons

Got this via email from Adarna House. The book is an interesting reference guide for today's Filipino kid. Just when our children are bombarded with too much of the western world's influences, along comes a homegrown set of icons that may stir the sense of nationalism and pride.

Then again, how are Filipinos affected by the changes brought about by globalization? What makes a Filipino icon? How does one become an icon?

CANVAS Book Launch : Ang Batang Maraming Bawal

CANVAS will be launching Don Gonzalez's first book, Ang Batang Maraming Bawal at the Ayala Museum on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 6.30 p.m. Don won the 3rd Romeo Forbes Writing for Children contest in 2005. He is a probee member of KUTING.