5 ‘Best Reads’ picks lead 8th children’s book awards

A literary honors list for children’s literature that parents and teachers look forward to is the biennial National Children’s Book Awards (NCBA), now on its eighth year. Originally conceived by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) as a Best Reads guide, the NCBA has now become a tradition, in collaboration with the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

This year’s Best Reads authors, illustrators and publishers were announced in time for the Manila International Book Fair. The list is not ranked like in typical competitions we are more familiar with. Rather, the most outstanding books in form and content published in the last two years are selected, no matter how few, no matter how many.

When the Best Reads concept was initially discussed, a maximum of 10 titles was considered ideal. The number 10 still appears as a dream number, as it has never been reached. But rather than being an issue of discouragement or a portrait of the quality of today’s children’s books, the handful of Best Reads selection each year should be seen as manifesting the high standards the PBBY has set, and that the children’s book industry continues to strive for.

Thus, it is a distinct, hard-earned honor to be in the Best Reads circle. And these titles, few and far between as they may seem, show us how far we have gone in the field.

The NCBA 2024 zeroes in on five outstanding titles, looming tall and proud from 285 submissions of children’s books. Coincidentally and happily enough, they range from nearly wordless picture books to informative nonfiction to a young adult novel. Take your pick, book lovers!

Pioneer

“Bum Tiyaya Bum: Philippine Nursery Rhymes and Verses,” by Rene O. Villanueva, translated by Angela Narciso Torres, illustrated by Sergio Bumatay III, Ilaw ng Tahanan Books for Young Readers

I am especially pleased that the late Rene O. Villanueva, author and playwright, a PBBY, Batibot and Adarna pioneer, is being remembered and honored this way. He is a giant in Philippine children’s literature, a true genius whom we called a vendo machine because he whipped up award-winning stories just like that. Though gone since 2007, his stories live on, like my absolute favorite, “Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit.”

“Bum Tiyaya Bum” embodies his lifetime work. Move over, Mother Goose and the nursery rhymes of our colonial-influenced childhoods, for here comes our very own nursery rhymes and verses, a major project of the most talented children’s book writer.

There is so much fun promised in this book: As Villanueva urges us to do, let’s rediscover our own brown childhood. “Konting bato, konting semento, Monumento.” Consider that a starter.

“Hanapin ang Sagot: Ano ang Batas Militar?,” by Margarita Santos and Ergoe Tinio, illustrated by Aldy Aguirre, The Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (Canvas)

Canvas is reputed to be a publisher with very innovative approaches. Its fiction titles have their beginnings in a portrait around which prospective authors weave their stories. Its nonfiction titles such as this are deep, thought-provoking narratives with the Filipino child reader in mind who needs to be acutely aware of history and society. Its published books, handsomely produced, are primarily intended for its ambitious book donation project for public school children.

Discussion points

Canvas’ aim to let young readers know what they ought to know is deftly done through art and relevant information. This is manifested in this book on martial law. After a charming introductory poem that begins, “Marami akong tanong. Hindi ako makulit. Mausisa talaga kaming maliliit … (I have many questions/Not that I am annoyingly persistent/Us kids are just curious …), many hard questions are asked: What are elections? Why are citizens in protest? Why is academic freedom important? What is “red scare”? What is graft and corruption? And the keynote question of the title: What is martial law?

Interspersed between the tough issues are Aldy Aguirre’s illustrations page which invites the readers to pause and think about what has gone before through entertaining techniques in the manner of games children enjoy.

The elders who read this with the children will have enough discussion points for many hours to come. Teachers will also find this book a rich resource for the classroom.

“Hiya,” written and illustrated by Liza Flores, Adarna House Inc.

The author and illustrator, one of the most significant illustrators for children’s literature today, is well known for her exquisite paper cutout art, which is expectedly prominent in this “mood” story. The art tells the story, and the story itself is about a shy boy trying to work with scissors as he does a paper cut art project on mask-making.

Flores is not new to the Best Reads list, having won in the past for “The Secret is in the Soil” (2012) and “Ang Maliit na Kalabaw” (2021).

Mood book

“Inip,” written and illustrated by Harry Monzon, Adarna House Inc.

This is another “mood” book that documents a little boy’s impatience during a bus ride and the typical question, “How much longer?” The boy’s eyes tell all from his excitement to his impatience and boredom. And upon finally reaching his destination, there appears a tug of war between mother and child on which direction to take.

As in “Hiya,” the book contains at story’s end a Self-Regulation Section on how to handle the different moods children (and grownups, too) experience in their daily lives. The use of colors to portray the moods are particularly helpful: Blue Zone for sad, Green for happy and calm, Yellow for frustrated, Red for angry. The nuances of these emotions are covered, the shades of feelings considered. Such books for children who often grapple with confused feelings are valuable.

“Wild Song,” by Candy Gourlay, Anvil Publishing

This is a powerful and emotional tale that Gourlay tells in this chapter book. Although it is a piece of fiction, it is based on the 1904 journey of more than a thousand people, indigenous Igorots among them, from the Philippines to America to be exhibited at the World’s Fair at Saint Louis.

It celebrates indigenous tradition and history and, with its engaging storytelling style, makes the learning of history much more interesting. That Luk, the female protagonist, is her own woman allows for an underlying theme of feminism even in those times. It’s an intriguing story made more complex—and maddening—with the theme of American colonization.

“Wild Song” is also shortlisted for the Manila Critics Circle’s National Book Award for English language novels and the UK’s Diverse Book Awards. Gourlay is London-based and her debut novel “Tall Story” was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

Kids’ Choice Awards

The board of judges for the 8th NCBA is composed of Kora Dandan-Albano, award-winning children’s book illustrator; Alistair Lacsamana, award-winning librarian of the Quezon City Public Library; Tarie Sabido, former PBBY chair; Ana Salvador, assistant professor at the Reading Education/Literacy Education Area of the UP College of Education; and Al Santos, award-winning playwright.

Also worth mentioning are the Kids’ Choice Awards, a lineup selected by invited child readers. They read and reviewed all of the submitted 285 books from publishers and made known their choices. The 20 books selected make us curious about what young readers are drawn to. And intriguing that no Best Reads title coincides with the Kids’ Choices!

“Alinam 2: Diego Domingo and the Three Thieves,” by Mickey Ingles & Rica Alexandra Diaz, Summit Books

“Alon and Lila’s Last Summer Before Doomsday,” by Ingrid Valenzuela and Cyril Acuña, Adarna House Inc.

“Araw ng Mga Ina,” by John Patrick Solano and Kim Santiago, Adarna House Inc.

“Baby TK,” by Kevin Eric Raymundo, Komiket Inc.

“Bee Responsible,” by Joyce Piap-Go and Maria Cristina Sison, OMF Literature Inc.

“Blueplate,” by Didith T. Rodrigo, Marianne B. Salvania and Joseph G. dela Cruz, The Ateneo Center for Educational Development

“Kalesa,” by Javier Delfin, Mari Delfin and Julian Delfin, The Bookmark Inc.

“Ang Kambal na Maya,” by Lydia G. Calipdan, The Inteligente Publishing Inc.

“Kapaa ko si Kuya!,” by Genaro R. Gojo Cruz and Jaylord S. Losabia, The Bookmark Inc.

“Libing-Isa,” by Malayo Pa ang Umaga, Adarna House Inc.

“Light Seeker,” by Sofia Shalaby Antonio and Paul Eric Roca, OMF Literature Inc.

“Mga Manikang Papel,” by Niña Queena C. Amoncio, Kenneth Justine and Alba Licaycay, Vibal Group Inc.

“Mars, May Zombie!,” by Chuckberry J. Pascual, Adarna House Inc.

“Ang Mundo Kong Kahel,” by Mariel G. Balacuit and Hareol Noval Tero,Vibal Group Inc.

“The Perfect Tree,” by Glory Moralidad and Danielle Florendo, Glory Moralidad

“Papasok na Kami ni Nanay sa Paaralan,” by Genaro R. Gojo Cruz and Jhucel A. del Rosario, Johnny and Hansel Publications

“Stray Cats,” by Irene Sarmento and Rev Cruz, Ateneo de Manila University Press

“Super Maya,” by Bambi A. Rodriguez and Nicolo M. Ilagan, Maria Elena A. Rodriguez

“Super Maya and her Amazing Ears,” by Bambi A. Rodriguez and Nicolo M. Ilagan, Maria Elena A. Rodriguez

“A Visual Guide to Philippine Folklore,” by Beatriz C. Alegre and Paul David D. Arcos, Vibal Group Inc.