Ang Aking Mga Mirasol

 

Ang aking mga mirasol

Ang aking mga mirasol

Alagad ng Musika

Alagad ng Sining

Nawa’y kayo ay pagpalain

Ng Dakilang Lumikha

Nawa’y maging matatag ang inyong puso,

At matuwid ang inyong landas.

Manatiling mapagpakumbaba sa bawat tagumpay,

May tapang sa bawat pagsubok.

Dalhin ninyo ang liwanag saan man kayo naroroon,

At ipadama ang pag-asa sa inyong mga gawain at likha.

Nawa’y ang inyong mga pangarap ay yumabong,

Kasabay ng kabutihan at katarungan

Habang kayo’y patuloy na naglalakbay

Tandaan ninyong lagi kayong mahal.

Kayong aking mga mirasol

Laging harapin ang liwanag.

Guest Blogger: Shine Uy on Home Schooling and Home Based Learning

The blog, School Librarian in Action, is happy to have Shine Uy as guest blogger. She writes about factors that made them decide to home school (HS) their children when campus closed at the last term in March. All throughout the summer, Shine made use of home based learning (HBL) strategies for them. Now that the opening of school is nearing, her children will learn at home and from home where she leads them to authentic learning experiences while adopting an online learning module where her children are enrolled in.

Months before my daughter to be born, I have already thought of a home set-up where she can play using "sensory materials" like wooden toys, blocks, balls, musical instruments, etc. And since then, I got more interested in homeschooling my kids. 

Being a teacher by profession, I always picture myself and interest myself in teaching my children. My interest in homeschooling paved the way to my style in parenting. 

Here are the factors that made me decide to HS/HBL my kids. 

1.) Personalized Learning. My kids have different interests and learning styles. One loves to learn about machines and robots and the other loves to read and do arts. One understands concepts easily while the other one needs more time to analyze. To homeschool them makes it easier for me to let them understand the concepts of what they should know and how to apply the concepts in our daily lives. Personalized learning means they don't need to compete with other children. Thus, it helps them feel confident. Since my kids learn together in one room, they develop cooperation among themselves. For example, in learning how to cook, which is part of their daily activities, the older sibling can guide/teach the younger ones. Cooperation naturally develops and is also a way of getting to know themselves as siblings, thus creating a bond. 

2.) Lots of Play. Their study time for academics only lasts for around an hour. So, playing or having games is the most significant way to instill knowledge in their young minds to keep their interests in things that they should know.

Transitioning to HBL is not that difficult for us because they already grew up in a home learning set-up. Going to school makes learning more enhanced. Social interaction develops naturally. 

This August, they will start the distance learning program option that their school has offered. With this, I need to add computers, cork boards, and some more art materials. Unlike before that, they both go to school and homeschool at the same time. I had some time to do house chores while they are away. Now, they need to be at home the whole day and I need to juggle HBL and house chores. Having a flexible schedule helps me prioritize the things needed to be done in the day. This way, I can minimize my stress.

Switching to HBL means lesser time interacting with other kids. I prepare some activities like cooking and assembling electric fans in order to build cooperation and good communication at home. Looking for certain books, like workbooks and other materials can also be challenging. Some of them are only available abroad. But thanks to family and friends, they help me purchase them.

When I asked my 8-year-old daughter what she liked about our HS/HBL, she said that our lessons are shorter and that she has more time for playing. Indeed, play is still one of the most important things in her life.

For parents who think it is impossible to homeschool their kids, given the technology that we have, the Internet is our best tool to search for lessons and activities, all you have to do is, choose the tools suitable to their learning styles. For the parents who are both working, you may start with creating a learning environment by putting shelves with books, musical instruments, art materials, sensory toys, tables, and chairs. Let the learning and curiosity unfold.

I am a wife, a mother, a breastfeeding advocate, a plant lover, a chef at home, a former school teacher, and now a homeschool Mom.

Mommies Who Read To Their Kids, Succeed!

Photo credit to Mommy Val P. Thanks so much!

When Nico, our eldest told us last month that he and his friends who from ConChords, the a cappella group they formed nearly two years ago, will compete in the A Capella Championship 2018 in Singapore, we racked our brains for ways to raise funds. Planning a trip abroad in a month is a financial nightmare in our case. These things take time, right? So, it must be a generational thing for Nico to surprise us. The experience has been stressful, but fun and exciting. Ah, what the young learn from their elders and vice-versa. 

Long story short, we did crowdfunding, solicitations from family and friends and fund raising. 

I sold my books, the Bulilit Books-Project LEARN series, to raise funds and amazingly, all the Filipino versions I bought have all been sold. In the process, I get comments and feedback about the from friends who supported Nico through this fundraiser.

Mommy Jet was impressed with Magbilang Tayo. She bought two sets as gifts to a nephew and to one of her godchildren. How she missed having a toddler and a young reader, she said. If the book elicits that kind of response, our writing team must have done something write! 

Then there's Mommy Magie, a college friend who bought five sets as gifts too. She gave a set to her daughter's best friend who was, at the time, celebrating her birthday. How timely! Her youngest was so happy receiving the books as well. It must be the personal messages I write to readers. It is something I enjoy doing as well for I believe that authors build relationships with their readers. What's more, I wish to convey to my young readers that when they open the pages of the book, they interact with the story. 

Mommy Val bought eight sets for the same purpose as Mommy Magie. Her son's birthday was within the week when she bought the books from me. The books are give aways and tokens for her son's classmates since he will be celebrating his birthday in school. Here's hoping his classmates enjoy reading the books!

A note from Mommy Shine. How touching!

And then, there's Mommy Shine who first knew my work through Big Sister (Lampara, 2014). She learned of my book sale in Facebook. As a mother of two, she is serious in raising kids who read. She reads to her kids regularly that's why she has a good knowledge of children's books and literature available in the market. When we had our meet up, she told me how her daughter could relate to Big Sister. Oh, I know how it is since I am a big sister too, I replied. And we had a good chat on parenting and reading, and learning and managing time for ourselves as women and for the home we keep. 

This fund raiser has been a fun. Tiring yes, and I had to put aside a lot of work for the summer. But that's how it is with being mom. No regrets. 

My appreciation goes out to all the mommies who bought my book. You, ladies, really know what to do with my books. This makes me one happy author!

On Reading and Parenting

10. It takes a village to raise a child

    And so we come to the last talking point. I will say two things. First, what I presented above are “ideals”. In the real world, these ideals are tested. Often times, we commit epic failures. Well, that is part of learning. Therefore, admit that you, myself included, as parents, we need all the help we can get from members of the community. There are agencies and institutions who can help us raise readers and lifelong learners. Who are the people in your neighborhood? That is for you to find out!

    Second, let me end by recommending these books for your children. These are the winners of the 2016 National Children’s Book Awards as conferred by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Philippine Board on Books for Young Readers. 

Caveat: these titles are starting points. Allow children and young adults to read non-fiction and subject area books also. Talk to your child’s teacher and consult your school’s librarian or librarian in the public library of your community.

 For emergent literacy, age 0-6: Dumaan si Butiki by Gigi Concepcion, illustrated by Ray Sunga (Adarna House, 2015)Haluhalby Eli Camacho (Adarna House, 2015) 

 For beginning readers, age 7-9: Mang Andoy's Signs by Mailin Paterno Locsin, illustrated by Isabel Roxas (Tahanan, 2015)SalusaloPara Kay Kuya by Ergoe Tinio, illustrated by JC Galang (Adarna House, 2015)

For middle grades, age 9-12: Supremo by Xi Zuq, illustrated by Al Estrella (Adarna House, 2015)

For Young Adult readers, age 13-18: Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon by Edgar Calabia Samar (Adarna House, 2014)

Despite our imperfections, let us strive to create a home where children feel valued. Let us work as a community in raising readers and lifelong learners. Let the children READ BOOKS!

 Sources:

Carandang, Ma. Lourdes and Quenna Lee-Chua. The Filipino Family Surviving the World, Anvil Publishing, 2008.

Fernandez, Karina Galang. Agenda for Hope Ideas for Inspiring the Youth: Connecting with today’s teens. ADMU Press, 2010.

Excerpt from Direct Instruction Reading, by D.W. Carnine, J. Silbert, E.J. Kame'enui, S. G. Tarver, 2004 edition, p. 13-15 . © ______ 2004.

On Reading and Parenting (2 of 2)

1. The Stages of Reading Development by Jean Chall
   
   
   
   
   Jean Chall’s (1984) seminal research on the developmental stages of reading is used by many teachers as bases to facilitate activities and experiences for children who are learning how to read.
2. Know your toddler: The Emergent Reader

Pre-reading stage - marked by rapid brain growth; use of spoken language.

Your baby or toddler would be needing a lot of oral and aural experiences to acquire language skills. These language skills contribute to their visual skills once they see letters and words as symbols representing speech and ideas.

2. Know your child: The Beginning Reader

Initial reading stage - children learn the letters of the alphabet; phonetics; phonemic awareness; basic sentence structures; language learning peaks.

This is the ideal stage to introduce printed books!

3. Know your pre-teen and teenager: The Transitional Reader

Reading for confirmation and fluency and Reading for learning the new - reading skills are used to gain knowledge, facts and information using varied texts and literature.

This is the stage where in readers have gained a level of independence in reading. But they still need support from peers and the adults they interact with on their choices of reading materials. This is a crucial stage where success and failure in reading happens. If the child gets the best reading instruction from parents and teachers in the pre-reading and initial reading stages, the quality teaching of reading skills MUST continue in the middle grades in in junior high school.

This is an ideal time to introduce different reading materials and media formats. This is also a good time to encourage readers to write and create their books and their media.

4. Know your young adult: The Fluent Reader

Reading to comprehend multiple viewpoints - students read multiple viewpoints from varied texts and literature.

The reader has gained confidence, autonomy and independence in reading. Not only he or she makes sound reading choices, but also expresses a voice of informed opinions as a response to a reading experience. A deeper critical and creative thinking patterns occur in this stage of development. Readers are being prepared to fully join a community or a collective of thinkers and learners.

5. READ to LIVE!

Construction and Reconstruction - highest stage of reading development; Reading to learn and construct new knowledge.

The child is now an adult who reads and uses this skill to learn, relearn and unlearn.

What’s amazing at this stage is that, the adult reader is capable of making a difference in the lives of others. He or she is a functional member of the society. He or she can contribute to the community and can join in a conversation and a discourse of varying views, opinions and feelings with peers and even elders of the community.

    Good job, parents!

On Reading and Parenting (1 of 3)

Here is full transcript of my talking points on Reading and Parenting which I presented in the LibTalk Conference 2017. Parts 2 and 3 will be posted in the coming days, so watch out for it!

Reading and Parenting: 10 Talking Points

1. The home is the child’s first school.

In the story Lizard’s Song, Bear learned from Lizard that knowing one’s identity is tied to a knowledge of one’s home. When you know who you are and where you come from, you will always find your way in the world. Should you get lost or confused, go back home and there, you will find yourself. Once the self is found again, a new cycle of living, loving and learning begins.

It is in the home, as nurtured by the family, where a child builds and forms his or her self worth and self concept. These are two important things that parents can provide and bestow in their children. Psychologist Dr. Honey Carandang, in her book, The Filipino Family Surviving the World (Anvil Publishing, 2008), emphasized the impact that parents and significant adults have on children when influencing and  modeling positive values. Positive self concept and self worth develop when children interact and engage with adults in their family circles. Their parents are their first teachers.

Where to begin then? It is essential to always respect the child’s personhood.(Carandang, 2008)

For my talk, I will focus on the child’s developmental contexts and the cognitive signs that are attributed to reading skills. We will use  two lenses. Lens number one is focused on the child’s reading growth. Lens number two looks at books and reading materials appropriate for his or her needs.

2. Reading begins at home.

Dr. Quenna Lee Chua, co-author of the said book, conducted a study among scholars of the Ateneo De Manila University. It included their families and the variables that contribute to their academic success. This research was done back in 2005.

    Remarkable findings are as follows:    

• The scholars are successful both in academics and in the application of life skills.
• Their parents set goals and realistic disciplinary measures to meet them.
• The parents are hands-on in helping them develop habits of learning.
• Their parents believe in strong family bonds, self-reliance, and perseverance. Even before Angela Duckworth learned about grit, Dr. Quenna Lee Chua already discovered its relevance in lifelong learning.
• The parents value learning and at home, it is encouraged among the children to apply and live out in their daily lives. Many of the parents who were interviewed prioritize two things from the family budget, food and books. Nourish the body and nurture the mind.
   

3. Create an environment that promotes and fosters a genuine love for books and reading.

   

As a parent, how do you create a home environment that encourages learning?

My top five tips are as follows:

1. Listen to your child. Hold your own truth lightly in your hands and focus on what your child is saying. You will understand him or her better when you put aside yourself, your own dreams for them and what you wish them to be. Your child is yours to take care and love, but they belong to the world.

2. Talk to them as often as possible. Keep the lines of communication open at all times.

3. Allow them to ask questions. Accommodate even the tough questions that you have no answer for. Discover these issues and questions your child have. Avoid put downs, labels and blocks to their thought processes. Learn from them too. One of the graces I discovered in being a parent is that, I grow and learn from my children.

4. Develop a family reading time, model the reading habit and manage the use of technological gadgets. I think this would require another session all together since technology is another variable we have to understand. But, the important thing is, your children see you reading a book, food labels, social media pages, mobile phone messages, billboards, TV ads and teleradio announcements etc.

If you can teach your child how to read different media formats, well and good. If not, leave it to the formal instruction of teachers. Cooperate and collaborate with them. Teachers are your allies.

5. Invest on books. And I mean the print book that children can touch, smell, turn the pages over and embrace. The print book has the physical landscape that enables the brain to remember more information. Memory plays an important role in learning.

A lot to do, yes! But this is what parenting is all about. It will be all worth it. Trust

the process. To quote Dr. Lee Chua, genuine learning requires reflection, patience  and perseverance. (Carandang, 2008)

LibTalk 2017: Reading and Parenting

Because I couldn't make it to the 2017 LibTalk in Pampanga, I made a recorded presentation with audio for the participants. Thank you to the organizers represented by Roi Calilung for the flexible arrangement.

When Parents Grow Up With Their Children

When Domeng and I had our Marriage Encounter Weekend in 2006, Nico was 9 years old and Zoe was 5. In the span of eleven years, Nico and Zoe have grown up being kind, smart and talented young adults. Nico is pursuing an academic career as a Music Pedagogist while Zoe is a Grade 10 student contemplating on taking a college course in Design or Fine Arts. They are our pride and joy. It is my fervent prayer  that they find their true passions and when they do, use it to make this world a better place.

While this brief profile of our kids looks good, it is but a small fraction of a bigger picture. One that has the real and unmasked portrait of the struggles they faced in the past and some challenges they still grapple with. I am sure that life will show them many more. When tough times come a calling, I hope that they take it with a prayer in their hearts that God is always by their side.

Of the many things I learned from being a parent to Nico and Zoe, it is that vulnerability is a grace. When I was a young mother, my motto was, when the going gets tough the tough gets going. Months and years after the Marriage Encounter Weekend and Family Encounter Weekends (we attended as a family candidate in 2007 and as auxi family in 2009) this changed to when the going gets tough, it is God who gets it going. I learned to seek help, to ask, even beg for assistance and support from others. First of all, I started  being open to Domeng about their needs, my mothering issues and what keeps me awake at night. From my husband, I realized the value of building one’s strength of character, my own and my children’s too.

I also learned that my children are their own persons. I came to respect their decisions, learning styles, moods and temperament. Listening to them is the most enjoyable. Letting them go is the more difficult thing to do. It is not wise to control or impose on them but when I do, as I am not perfect, I face them with an honest apology. I am forgiven so easily. It is there where love rests.

The apples did not fall far from the tree, of course. So many times I see myself in them and I see Domeng too. Often, I am happy to discover these characteristics manifest in real life applications. Sometimes, not so. Nonetheless, this mirroring only makes parenting more meaningful as I resolve to be a better version of myself for their sake and my own too.

Our children are growing up in this new stage of their lives. They need more space and time to fully appreciate and find wisdom in adulting. I remain their mother, of course, but I too grow with them as a person. How my role has shifted from caretaker, to teacher to counselor and now, mentor and life coach! Indeed, our children are God’s gift to us and to the world.

Convo on Phonetics and the Whole Language Approach 1 of 2

A friend who is based in the US sent me a private message three years ago asking for my opinion on phonetics and the Whole Language Approach. After three years, I am making the "big reveal" in the blog. Let's call my friend, Mommy LPM. She asked the question so she can teach her then 3 year old daughter the basics of reading.

Mommy LPM: Zars, I need your opinion about phonetics and whole reading approaches. One is an old school approach while the other is a constructivist approach. Which one is better? I'm teaching my 3 year old how to read and I'm confused which one to use. Btw, where do teaching sight words fall under?

ZarahG: You can start with whole language for your daughter. The advantage with whole language is that, you are building on experience and context if reading wholistically. This way when she reaches an age where she shows signs of decoding readiness, she can do basals or word attack skills. Good luck and have fun! One of the greatest joys of parenthood is to see and hear a child read aloud!

Mommy LPM: Thanks. We're still in the process. Clueless where to begin because I was never a Pre-K teacher.

ZG: Read signs and logos when you shop around town. Sing songs and chant nursery rhymes. Keep talking to her at home on routines and stuff you do together. Read aloud picture books with her. If there's tv and iPad at home, engage her in conversation. She's acquiring language at this point and her brain is like a sponge! So soak her up on language experience activities. Involve the senses, too: play dough, water games, plant in the garden. Do some process activities with her: zipping up her coat, up and down, lacing her sneakers, shower time is a learning experience too.

Mommy LPM: I see. So my husband and I were actually doing some of the things you've mentioned like the STOP sign. I actually posted names of things around the house such as CLOCK, TABLE etc. I let her play abcya.com and she likes it so much. Still she can't read on her own yet. Am I rushing her?

ZG: Emergent reader pa lang siya. Relax. Show her the wonder of the world with words

Part 2 will be about Whole Language teaching and resources for parents and teachers in the K-3 levels.

Book Review: Mommy Loves You Just The Same

Today is the virtual launch of Mommy Loves You Just The Same, an ebook about a family's anticipation of a new baby in the family. The ebook is written by Ma. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag and illustrated by Jia Rubio Montserrat. This is Ms. Dumadag's first book intended for children. Read about my interview with her.  Mommy Loves You Just the Same is published by Full Life Cube.

The ebook is created by mothers. Both Ms. Dumadag and Ms. Montserrat are parents of young children. That is why, it is not surprising that the book is meant to impart to children family values that any parent wishes their children to carry on in life. Such is the primary purpose of stories in our culture. We believe that by telling stories, through book format, it is the best way to approach the communication of these values like respect, sibling love and personal responsibility to our children and others too.

In Mommy Loves You Just The Same, the adult voice is very strong in emphasizing these values. Even the child character is very happy to be anticipating a new sibling. Love is a strong driving force to amplify acceptance and a new responsibility. There is no room for anxiety and jealousy in this book because the message is clear: mother does not play favorites since she loves each child the same way. Each sibling went through a period of growth and development and mother and father were there to care for each. Older siblings are part of this care taking having cared for when they were younger. Such a proactive stance on child care and parenting.

In the real world, however, this ideal can be marred by fears and insecurities. Sibling rivalry happens and the green eyed monster is just waiting on the wings! There have been Filipino picture books written about this. The "infanticipation" process is never easy, much more, the relationship between siblings. But, responsible parents can make the transition and the struggle a little less stressful for the children as well as for themselves. It is no joke raising kids these days and parents need all the help they can get.

Mommy Loves You Just The Same is that book! It is not only meant for the child reader. It is for parents who are going through the peaks and valleys of parenthood.

Since the format of the book is digital, I felt constricted by space. There is wonder in opening a book's page. The ebook does not work that wonder for me as far as illustrated ebooks are concerned. There are exceptions though. I will share an example, in a future post.

The drawings are playful and the accompanying color scheme promotes a happy mood. There is a texture felt and seen in Montserrat's illustrations. In a printed format, it would look more sensorial. Anyway, ebook publishing is the trend. What better way to make it grow, but to dive into this medium and explore! I suppose, the accompanying coloring book fills in this multi-sensory aspect of the book and further extends the engagement of digital text to the actual material.

For a copy of the book, go to this Hands On Parenting. For freebies and special giveaways, visit the book's Facebook Page.

Congratulations to Ms. Dumadag and Ms. Montserrat! It is my hope to see Full Life Cube take on more materials to publish for children and parents.

Author of the Month: Ma. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag

I have the pleasure of interviewing Ma. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag, author and breastfeeding advocate, about her new children's book, Mommy Loves You Just the Same. She shares with us her recommended books for parents to read aloud to their kids and the books that inspired her to become a better mom. Her thoughts on the pros and cons of self publishing lend insight for other authors out there who contemplate on taking this route.

Mommy Loves You Just the Same is an ebook published by Full Life Cube and will have a launching online on May 19, 2016.

Mommy Loves You Just the Same is your first children's book. Congratulations! You have written non-fiction books for adult readers. What was the experience like for you to move from this genre and into children's story writing?  

I was more comfortable writing for adults because I was used to speaking and teaching adults in my line of work as a Consultant for management, human resources and training solutions, as a Career Coach and Counselor and a Speaker. But as I grew more confident in caring for my children and raising them, I entertained the thought of publishing my own children’s book more and more.

It has been my dream to write for children since I became a parent. I loved reading to my kids. It’s one of my favorite bonding moments with them. I have read countless books for them in the past years. These wonderful books that we found inspired me to write my own story about our family life. These books also inspired me to create stories that carry the lessons I want them to learn. Stories are very powerful in bringing our message across. Being a homeschooling mom further strengthened my desire to teach through children’s stories that I myself wrote.

Many Filipino writers are experimenting and migrating into self-publishing online. What are the pros and cons of this business model?

 The pros of this business model are the following: 

• It’s easier and faster to have your book published because you don’t need to wait for traditional publishers to like your work or to wait for publishers to include your book in their publishing schedule.
• You can earn more if you know how to reach a wider audience or a bigger number of people.
• You have more freedom on how your book would look like or how it would be marketed.

The cons are:

• All costs would be on you.
• You need to do all the work or you need to find a good and reliable team who will help you achieve your goals for your book.
• You don’t have the connections or network that the traditional or established publishers have.

What are your top 5 recommended picture books or story books for parents to read aloud to their kids?

Oh, there are so many wonderful books for children! It’s hard to choose only 5. It also depends on what lessons you’d like them to learn from the books you’ll read.

• My top of mind picks are I’d Choose You by John Trent, PhD and Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein  
• For babies and very young children, my favorites are the books written by Sandra Boynton like The Going to Bed Book and Hey! Wake Up! My kids love these books so much that they were able to memorize these books right away after reading these to them daily for 1 week when we first bought these books.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is also one of our favorites. The kids love this simple story with colorful illustrations.
• We also love the Oh Mateo series of books, especially Book 5: The Growling Tummy.

 What are the top 3 books that shaped who you are as a mother?

• Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
• The Power of a Praying Mom and The Power of a Praying Parent both by Stormie Omartian
• The Parent Map by Dr. Harold Sala

If you were to leave your kids a book to read for the rest of their lives, what is it?

The Holy Bible would be that book. 

WRAD 2014: Raising Our Voices Blogging Challenge Week 1

WRAD Raising Our Voices Blogging Challenge: Week 1: February 10 - 16

What is your earliest or fondest memory in which someone read aloud to you?
Your first mission is to answer this question. We are using this prompt to bring awareness to the impact reading aloud and the act of being read to has on readers of all ages. Consider it an opportunity to connect with others through the shared experience of hearing stories read aloud. 

More prompts: How you plan to celebrate WRAD on March 5? Who will you celebrate with? Where will you be? If you have celebrated WRAD in the past, what activities brought you and those you celebrated with the most joy? 

Growing up in the mid-70s, reading aloud was my alternative to watching TV because my parents controlled my viewing hours. There was Sesame Street and Electric Company to see in the morning while old Filipino movies and Japanese anime were my TV fodder in the late afternoon. This media experience did not drive me away from books. My mother read aloud to me. I loved the way the words slide out of her mouth and into my ears as she read from a book. The pictures in the books did not move when my mom read aloud to me, but the pictures I conjure in my head as she read aloud came alive. Those images were mine.

The words were strung together by the author. The pictures were illustrated by an artists. And yet, I have my own version of words and pictures put together. That is the power of the spoken word. Reading aloud enabled me to dream; to imagine; and to create. I did not know it then, but this is probably the reason why I became a school librarian. That love affair with books sealed my fate. Thanks a lot, Mom!

In the past WRAD celebrations, I had videos of book talks posted in the blog. I once did a read aloud of Lizard's Song. It is a joy to do this: talk about books and read aloud even if only it is done in this blog. This year, I'll celebrate WRAD 2014 by completing this blogging challenge.

I've done the first post for Week 1. On to the next!

Tag Team Interview: Dianne De Las Casas & Eliana De Las Casas (1 of 2)

For this month's author interview, the blog is honored to have international storyteller and author Dianne De Las Casas and Kid Chef Eliana De Las Casas. Regular readers of the blog know who Dianne De Las Casas is as I have featured her in the blog several times over. To know more about her, visit her website and you'll discover her many talents. Apart from being a storyteller, author and literacy advocate, Dianne is one great mom. Over the past years, she has been supporting Eliana's career as young chef and author. 

In this interview, she shares her wonderful experience as coach, talent builder and adviser to her daughter Eliana. Dianne has a new picture book, Cinderellaphant, and she talks about it briefly in this interview. 

a. When did you see or learn of Eliana's potential as a chef?

Eliana began cooking when she was 4 years old. She always loved being in the kitchen, stirring and mixing things up when she was little girl. Every Christmas and birthday, she would ask for tools related to the kitchen. When she was a result, I suggested that she start a food blog. Since then, her skill and professionalism has grown immensely.

b. How did you develop and encourage that potential? 

I supported Eliana by encouraging her to start a food blog. As a family, we all talked her different kitchen skills. I'm more of the gourmet; Eliana's dad specializes in pizza, bread, and ice cream; her Filipina nana does comfort food; her Cajun pawpaw excels at outdoor cooking; her abuela and her older sister, Soleil, love to bake; her uncle Gary taught her how to fish and crab; and her aunt Pam gardens and raises chickens. All of these influences have helped shape and Eliana into the chef she is becoming.

c. What road blocks did you, Eliana and your family encounter along the way as Eliana pushes and accomplishes her dreams? How did you, individually and collectively as a family, overcome these road blocks?

As you know, I have my own career as a children's book author. Balancing both Eliana's rising star and sustaining my career has been quite a challenge. Fortunately, we can do events together and balance the schedule that way.

d. How does being a successful author contribute to being a "mom" to Eliana?

My experience as an author has definitely helped me guide her in her own book and cooking career. It makes it easier for me to relate to her when it comes to her writing recipes, blogging, and writing her cookbooks. We often brainstorm together and plan her career together.

e. What do you love doing together apart from cooking and writing books, of course?

We love going to the movies and shopping. We both enjoy throwing parties, playing board games, and reading the same books, so that we can discuss them together. In addition, our favorite activity that we love to do together is traveling! Eliana and I derive so much inspiration from our travels for my books as well as her recipes.

f. Any new books, storytelling gigs and projects to promote? Please give a message to your fans in the Philippines. I know they miss you and are awaiting your next visit.

My newest picture book is Cinderellaphant. It's a remix of the "classic furry tail" with a pachyderm princess, a fairy godmouse, two step hippos, and a royal roan looking for his "sole mate." 

I have another book with Libraries Unlimited called Handmade Tales 2: More Stories to Make and Take with draw and tell, fold and tell, string stories, and more. It continues the tradition started in my very popular book, Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take.

I miss all of the teachers in the Philippines and keep in touch with many of them through social media and email. Thank you so much for the work that you do, and for continuing to use my books and the information from my workshops in your teachings. Mahal kita!

I would love to return to the Philippines and bring Kid Chef Eliana with me! Now that would be a great story!

Eliana's interview will appear in the blog tomorrow.