Philippine Publications:

?Once I was Rich: True Confessions of a Nine-Year-Old Big Spender? by May Tobias Papa, art by Beth Parrocha Doctolero (Liwayway)
Here?s a story that even adults can relate to: The boy starts out feeling rich after cash gifts from his family on his birthday. That feeling doesn?t last long as soon as he sees the words ?toys? and ?sale? together in the mall. That?s when he starts making unwise decisions on his purchases. The boy?s emotions are reflected in the illustrations as they start out loud and colorful and end in muted, sometimes singular, color. An instructive tale on how kids can make smarter choices when shopping.

?Ang Mahiwagang Kamiseta,? words and art by Eugene Y. Evasco, illustrated by Ghani Madueño (LG&M/Vibal)
A beautiful shirt can make a kid, but what happens to the kid if his favorite shirt gets old? This story tells of a boy who impressed everyone around him with his wonderful shirt. He thought it was the most important thing in the world until its print started to fade and it became tattered. A good way to tell the fashion-obsessed generation that what matters isn?t what you wear, but what?s inside you.

?Meet my Superdad? by Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, illustration by Isa Natividad (Hiyas/OMF)
Donny?s dad is a super guy who cannot fly, does not have power vision or unbelievable strength. He can, however, tickle Donny until his sides hurt and he can make great grilled sandwiches for him. So what?s so super about that? You?d have to meet Donny?s dad so he can show you how appreciating the simple things other people do for you can make you super, too.

?Tagu-Taguan: A Counting Book in Filipino? by Jomike Tejido (Tahanan)
Foldabots creator Tejido hits two birds with one stone as this book not only teaches kids how to count but tells them something about insects, too. Young would-be entomologists will enjoy the details in Tejido?s illustrations. It is a visual feast that even adults can appreciate. Don?t be surprised if you feel your skin itching when you get to the page on caterpillars.

?When Color Came to Town? by Susan Dela Rosa Aragon (Aklat Adarna)
The book starts out drab and gray, something you?d expect from a town named ?Alikabok? (dust). Things change for the better, however, when a stranger comes into town and starts to stir things up by cleaning the town and inspiring everyone to do the same. This unlikely environment story teaches kids that lifeless and ugly surroundings can become colorful and happy once people start cleaning up their act.

All titles available at leading bookstores.

Foreign Publications:

?Blue Bloods? by Melissa De La Cruz (Hyperion)
?Twilight? meets ?Gossip Girl? in this fast-paced vampire story, the first in a series of four books. The vampires in this book will dazzle you with their vanity and their dizzying family tree. It might even come as a surprise that they care about fashion brands and they do Pilates to tone their muscles. New York?s most powerful elite and the dangerous undead will make teens thirst for the next book after they get their taste of the ?Blue Bloods.?

?Twilight: The Graphic Novel Vol. 1? by Stephenie Meyer, Art and adaptation by Young Kim (Yen Press)

If Rob Pattinson didn?t do it for the young reader, then maybe an anime rendition of Edward will. This graphic novel is a great addition to the ?Twilight? franchise as it gives new faces to familiar characters. It remains faithful to the story of the book and even follows the movie sequence. Typical anime humor can be found here and there. This can be a perfect introduction to people who still wonder why teendom has suddenly been separated into two camps named Edward and Jacob.

?The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane? by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Walker Books)

Another jewel of a book by DiCamillo, author of ?Tales of Desperaux.? It will take some time before a reader warms up to the unfeeling and snooty china rabbit named Edward Tulane. You might even find yourself sneering at his unhealthy concern for his handmade silk suits and fine leather shoes. However, you will be able to relate to him as he is taken out of his comfort zone and into a world that shows him that people can be beautiful even if they?re not wearing pretty clothes.

?The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: How Greg Heffley went Hollywood? by Jeff Kinney (Amulet)

Kinney?s humor is ever present in this movie companion of the ?Wimpy Kid.? Some of its contents are Zach Gordon?s (Greg Heffley) and Robert Capron?s (Rowley Jefferson) inputs like their own diary entry about their characters. It offers us a closer look at some of the details in the movie like, Joshie?s posters and newspaper clippings. Its best parts are when it?s being honest about the hours the actors put in and all the hard work they have to to do just to create all that magic on the big screen.

?Septimus Heap: Magyk? by Angie Sage (Harper Trophy)

Wizards are vulnerable to non-magical beings and they can be evicted from their homes. They can grow up in deplorable situations without ever knowing their own lineage (oh wait, we?ve seen this in ?Harry Potter? already). However, this magical world created by Angie Sage has so much more to offer. It has different magical creatures involved in several twists within the story, which makes it very hard to put down. It can stand on its own even though it?s a series opener. ?

All titles available from National Book Store.