Philippine Publications:
?Kwentong Katutubo? series by Balay-Lakoy Research Center for Mangyan Culture and Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples? Education
There are a total of four books included in the series?three about the Mangyans of Mindoro and one about the Dumagats or Agtas of Quezon. It comes in three languages?English, Filipino and in the tribes? language. Each book has different themes, but most revolve around the love they have for their land and how much their own countrymen had taken from them. Nothing is sugar-coated. You won?t find their stories in history books, but the volumes teach children to respect other people?s property and a culture different from their own.
?Big Brother? by Grace D. Chong, Illustrated by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero (Hiyas Publication)
No, this is not about the omniscient presence in a house full of cameras and mirrors. It?s about two brothers who couldn?t be more different than night and day in terms of physical appearance and mental performance. Get your hanky ready for this 2000 Palanca award-winning story. You?ll need it as the moving story about love and loyalty unfolds in every page. Chong and Doctolero are the same tandem that created the ?Oh! Mateo? series.
?Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu!? by Nanoy Rafael, Illustrated by Sergio Bumatay III (Adarna House)
The 2008 PBBY-Salanga and PBBY-Alcala award winning book couldn?t be published quickly enough. Finally, children can run after an agitated Isko and find out why is he asking his friends so many questions about baby spiders and new puppies. The mystery is well-kept until the very end, when Isko let?s out a big sigh of relief. Bumatay?s whimsical depiction adds humor to the already funny story.
?Ang Tahimik na Mundo ni Bunso? by Kristine Canon, Illustrated by Frances Alcaraz (LG&M Corporation)
Sometimes the little things that we take for granted are the ones that have a great impact on those who don?t have them. The title is a dead give-away of what the book is about. What it doesn?t tell you is how a family worked together to face the challenge of helping the youngest member overcome deafness. Touching and educational, the story will help young readers gain a deeper appreciation of their blessings.
?The Night Monkeys? (Tahanan Books)
Ten Palanca prize-winning short stories for children were compiled for this book. ?The Night Monkeys? of Lakambini Sitoy sets the tone for the whole book. It?s a story about how wonderful it was to be a child and to believe in your silliest dreams. It?s a very effective ploy for the non-believers. You no longer question the fantastical stories that come after the ?Monkeys? because it?s no longer about whether it?s real or not. It becomes: where can I find it and how? Believe in magic.
All titles available at leading bookstores.
Foreign Publications:
?Diary of the Wimpy Kid? by Jeff Kinney (Amulet Books)
The story in this book can go in any direction your child wants to take, because most of the words will be written by them. It contains unfinished comic strips that the owner must continue, asks fun questions reminiscent of autograph books and offers a smorgasbord of interesting ideas that kids can take on and write about. It?s a highly personalized book not meant to be shared. However, it could be worth millions in the future if your child becomes famous.
?Coraline? by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Dave McKean (HarperCollins)
It?s like ?Alice in Wonderland,? except darker and way creepier. It is so quick-paced that the only problem you?ll have is remembering how to breathe between pages. The hair-raising account of Coraline?s discovery of the ?other? home and ?other? parents is sure to make you double-check if doorways in your own home are securely locked. It?s the perfect story to stimulate the imagination of the young ones and teach them a moral lesson at the same time (insert sinister laugh here).
?The Tale of Despereaux? by Kate DiCamillo, Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering (Walker Books)
Here is a story of a smaller-than-average mouse, not a rat, named Despereaux. He?s the unlikely hero in a Quixotic adventure that involves a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread. Reading his tale is like enjoying your favorite soup?plenty of unseen ingredients that nonetheless make an overall impact on taste, taken at a leisurely pace to fully enjoy the flavor; and, towards the end, wishing there?s more than a few spoonfuls left in the bowl. It?s a definite comfort food for the soul.
?The Breakup Bible? by Melissa Kantor (Hyperion Books)
Don?t be put off by the golden heart torn apart by a lightning bolt and the powder pink cover, because this is one fun read for girls of any age. The self-help book is no Dr. Phil, so don?t expect any helpful pop psychology on how to get over someone. It is Jennifer?s (aka The Dumpee) own missteps and epiphanies that make her endearing, or at the very least, someone you can easily relate to. Thou shalt cheer for her and her efforts to get over her first heartbreak.
?The Dangerous Days of Daniel X? by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (Little, Brown and Company)
Daniel will not ask you to take him to your leader, earthling, when a simple ?hi? would do. This 15-year-old alien looks every bit like any ordinary human teenage boy, except he takes out his angst on evil aliens out to destroy and conquer our planet. He is cool, he acts cool, but when he lets his guard down, you?ll discover he?s a little lonely too. Every page is like a scene straight out of the coolest sci-fi movie you?ve ever seen. If Daniel is real, please resist the urge to tell him that you want to come with him. Not cool.
All titles available at National Book Store.
