STORYBOOKS

An empowering story set during the Martial Law era, Sayaw ng mga Ilaw (Dance of the Lights) tells the story of Laya, who wanted to dance the Pandanggo with her Ate Kala. Illustrated by Aaron Asis, the book is forthcoming with Tahanan Books for Young People this 2024.

Si Tiya Salome explores the themes of dystopian fiction and eco-literature. In the story, Tintoy wonders about the mysterious woman who would always stay by the window, hoping for a brighter future. Awarded by the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, this storybook is illustrated by Angela Taguiang and published by Lampara Books. 

In Mga Kamatsile ni Ina Binyang (Ina Binyang's Camachile), I tackled my mom and her siblings' practice of perfectly peeling the camachile seed in hopes of having one's wish come true. However, what kinds of wishes can the seeds fulfill? Illustrated by Adrian Cruz, the storybook is published by Chikiting Books.

What would you do if the one thing that is most precious, the one thing that holds the memory of a beloved, is one day gone? The Missing Blanket explores loss and finding new meanings in one's grief, particularly in the eyes of the child. With the mountains of Kalinga in northern Philippines as backdrop, this story is illustrated by Tristan Yuvienco and published by Adarna House.

A Palanca winning story, The Magic Bahag tackles the story of Abeong, who had to move to the city side of the Kalinga province. When he refused to wear the traditional bahag (loincloth) to school, his father bestows him a family heirloom: the magic bahag. What wonders will this bahag bring? Read more about this storybook illustrated by Benedict Reyna through Lampara Books.

Sayaw ni Dayaw (Dayaw's Dance) is special to me because, here, I was able to combine my passion for children's literature with my background as a trained cultural dancer. In the story illustrated by Harry Monzon and published by Anvil Publishing, Dayaw attempts to explore the perfect dance that fits her playful energy. The book is free to read at Room to Read's Literacy Cloud.

How does one grieve for a emotionally distant family member? This is the main question that How Lakan Cried for His Father. Illustrated by Henrick Dulin, the storybook is available at Chikiting Books.

Whenever it rains, Teyang would be quick to bring out their pots and pans and pails and dippers to catch the rain seeping into their roof. What would happen if Teyang sees how huge and comfortable her clasmates houses are? Illustrated by Bertha Kate Marie De Mesa, Tik! Tik! Tikatik is available at Chikiting Books.

In the Maranao tribe, only princesses and royal women would dance the majestic kini-kini walk. But Ahil, a shy little boy, would like to dance it, too. Gustong Mag Kini-Kini ni Ahil (Ahil Wants to Dance the Kini-Kini) won in the Normal Awards for Gender-Inclusive Literature and is published by the Philippine Normal University., with illustrations by Hareol Tero.

Maybe, things can be better if we learn to talk about it. Pag-Usapan Natin (Let's Talk About It!) is published by Inspiration Publishing, with illustrations by Jhucel del Rosario. The book explores peace education.

What if, one day, you realized that your brother is becoming a giant and your sister a dwarf? Ang Higante kong Kuya, Ang Duwende kong Ate (My Giant Brother, My Dwarf Sister) is a book about puberty, illustrated by Jeron Tanglaw and published by Inspiration Publishing.

How would people react when you are always angry? Witness how it happens in the case of a very angry volcano. Ang Bulkang Palaging Galit (The I'll-Tempered Volcano) is a story about values education, illustrated by Allyza Manlapat Guevarra and published by Inspiration Publishing.