7 Pinoy Children's Books I'll Read to My Future Children (and one that I won't) + Book Sales

It's National Children's Book Day today in the Philippines! Even if I didn't become a teacher, I'd still probably collect children's books. Filipinos do not lack creative storytellers and illustrators and it's amazing how one good storybook can connect people who have shared the same experience of listening to their parents read the story, or reading the story on their own, or reading it to their children.

It's also a plus that most Filipino children's books come in two languages. I hope parents make sure that they read both Filipino and English versions to their children. 

Here are some books that I'll read to my baby soon. The list isn't exhaustive (I don't have any Rene Villanueva books and one of my all-time favorites: The Boy Who Ate Stars in the list), these are just some of the books I pulled out from my collection because I missed reading/looking at them. You're never too old to appreciate children's books (and pick up a lesson or two).

A tale about two friends: one blind and one with eyesight. 

 Very classic. 

 This one's fun! It's a do-it-yourself pop up book!

 A wheelchair can be a lot of things to an imaginative child

Xilef is a boy with dyslexia

 Raquel and her awesome hair (and personality)

I think this is one of the first Pinoy children's books that targets math problem solving. 

And the book that I will not read to my child and is now part of my Inappropriately Funny Storybooks collection (more on that in the future):

It's published by Adarna during the 80's and features drunkards, an a-go-go dancer, and a girlfriend who works in a beerhouse.

BOOK SALES!

Who: Anvil Publishing

When: every weekend of July (July 20-22 and 27-29 are the remaining days) 
Where: 107 West Drive, Brgy Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Who: Scholastic

When: UP TO TOMORROW (July 18)

Where: 27th Floor Penthouse Prestige Tower Ortigas Center Pasig City and No 70 C Raymundo Ave Pasig City

Book Report: February Edition

I can't believe it's already March! I can already feel the summer heat creeping up my limbs and going under my skin. I'm looking forward going to the beach, lying down under the shade, a good book in my right hand and  frozen mango shake in the other. *insert dreamy stare*

For now, I present the books I've finished for the month of February. Note that my monthly book list does not include books that are part of my daily routine and those I've read for work, thus the short pile.

6. 500 Time-Saving Hints for Every Woman by Emilie Barnes


Our house is very cluttered because we don't have spend much time at home. This book gave a lot of tips I have yet to adopt but one very helpful advice given was spending 30 minutes per day de-cluttering will go a long way. I try to time myself for 30 minutes every day and have a go at putting back things in their proper places, throwing away things that we no longer need, or setting aside stuff we can give away.

7. & 8. Guys Read Volumes 1 (Funny Business) & 2 (Thriller)


It's a fact that boys read less books than girls. Jon Scieszka, the author of some of the funniest books such as The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales and Math Curse, made a collection of short stories from different authors targeted at boys' interests. I might be a girl (nay, an adult woman) but I really enjoyed reading them and had a couple of laugh out loud moments while reading Funny Business.

Read more about Guys Read here.

9. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde


I've been a Jasper Fforde fan ever since I started reading the Thursday Next series in the wrong order (Lost in a Good Book first). This book felt less absurd than his other series (Thursday Next series and Nursery Crimes series). Yes, I don't know why I feel that magicians stuck at doing blue collar labor is considered less weird...

In other news, C gave a mandate that we are not allowed to buy books until we've read all the books at home... Let's see how long this lasts =D

Book Report: January Edition

"I like books because they don't annoy me." - niece of one my best friends

I completely agree with her, the only books that annoy me are the ones I was forced to read when I was in school.

I don't mind waiting for hours in line as long as I have a book with me. They're perfect companions because they don't complain.

When I feel miserable or sad, they always know what to say to make me feel better.

I'm not saying that I prefer the presence of books over humans but there are times that I just want to seek
solace in stories and information.

This year, I will take note of the books I've read each month and some of my thoughts on them.

1. Trese series by Budjette Tan and KaJO Baldisimo

I discovered this in a bookstore while hanging out in a hospital(yes). It's a graphic novel series featuring Alexandra Trese, a modern day heroine who keeps Filipino supernatural beings in check. I'm now a fan of this series :)

2. The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

I always feel melancholic whenever I read his novels. Confession: I haven't read any Jane Austen novel. Jane Austen is like the ancestor of all romance novelists.

3. JPod by Douglas Coupland

Super funny book. I always thought I'm an expert on task avoidance but the characters here take the cake.

4. You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When It Monsoons: The World On One Cartoon A Day by Mo Willems

Mo Willems made one cartoon a day while backpacking around the world. Mo Willems is not playing for L.A. Clippers, that's Mo Williams.

5. Pretty Little Liars and Flawless, both by Sara Shepard

Thank you Tin and Enzo for giving me copies of this series :) It's officially my guilty pleasure, hehe.

What books did you read last month?

Book Report: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book is about the adventures of Nobody Owens, a child adopted by the ghosts who inhabit the graveyard where he lives in.

This book is about family, friendships, and growing up. Though its title exude death and darkness, the story inside is more about living and conquering challenges with bravery and wit.

Book Report: Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

It is a common assumption that human beings behave in a predictable manner except when doing irrational things. But as Dan Ariely proved, through simple but informative experiments, irrational behavior can also be predicted. Most of the time, even smart people make irrational decisions (especially when being offered freebies) and succumb to awry logic (getting a pencil from the office is acceptable but getting money equivalent to the price of a pencil is not). 

The book is thought-provoking and opened my eyes to how I make decisions in my life especially when it comes to spending my money and time. One of my dreams is to study behavior economics and this book is a good reference and a springboard for other studies and experiments. Dan Ariely also has a blog where you can also participate in some of his experiments and share your thoughts on irrationality.

Book Report: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Hugo Cabret is an orphan, a clock keeper and a reluctant thief who lives in the Paris train station. The only object left by his father was an automaton with a hidden message locked inside.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret  is a combination of words and illustrations by Brian Selznick. It's a different kind of story where the illustrations are part of the story narrative. In some pages, you are flipping through detailed drawings which will flow to written word when you turn to the next page. Every part of the book was part of the experience: from the colorful but subdued book jacket to the typography. Everything was thoughtfully created which is one of the favorite traits I like about the author/illustrator.You can even visit the book's website to know more about the book and how it came to be.

This book is recommended for young adults and not-so-young adults who are into films, art, and history. I'm also reminded of the movie Cinema Paradiso while reading Hugo.

This book just became one of my most favorite books of all time and Brian Selznick is one of the people I would like to meet someday.

Book Report: Numbers by Rachel Ward

       

Ward’s debut novel, ‘Num8ers’ is about Jem, a 15 year-old who sees the date of death of any person she comes into eye contact with. Crippled by her curse, she avoids social interaction as much as possible but that did not stop Spider, a fellow outcast, from befriending her. While on a trip to the London Eye, Jem noticed that people had the same date of death. The date was today. Time was running out. She and Spider have to start running for their lives.

‘Num8ers’ is a gritty, fast-paced read. Its characters and social situations greatly reminded me of the Brit TV shows: ‘Skins’ (which was mentioned in the novel in passing) and ‘Misfits.’ Jem and Spider are both viewed as juvenile delinquents whose futures are bleak and hopeless. The novel is marketed as a thriller but it is mostly about the two characters’ developing relationship while on the run. The ending was a bit surprising, though loyal to the mood of the novel.

There’s a lot of cussing, a number of criminal acts, and a sex scene in the novel but it’s still a recommended read for teens because they can relate well to the main theme of the novel: hoping for the best despite dire circumstances.

On a side note, I was lucky enough to be part of the webcast done with Rachel Ward a few months ago during the Manila International Book Fair. I even got the chance to ask her some questions and re-welcomed her a few times while the techs on our side were fixing our connection. Based on Ward’s background and demeanor, you wouldn’t imagine her writing this novel but that’s what makes her a pretty good writer.

Did I just indirectly admit that I haven’t read a single book of hers when I talked to her? Oh well…