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Top Filipino Children's Books

Celebrating Culture, Heritage, and Imagination in Young Readers

By EllaPublished about a month ago 3 min read

In terms of promoting young talent, Filipino children’s books are notable for their engaging narratives, vivid artwork, and Filipino cultural content. These books provide a glimpse of the Philippines’ rich cultural background with elements of folktales, history, and the present. It gives young readers stories that they can relate to while at the same expanding their horizons.

The Enchantment of Filipino Children’s Book

From stories about fairies and giants to comic strips that teach valuable lessons, Filipino children’s book always leave one fascinated. Most of the time, they are infused with Filipino culture and mythos which makes them fun and interesting. These stories are not only fun but also helpful in teaching values like togetherness, unity, and strength.

Consider the lovely piece of work of Adarna House, a Filipino company that specializes in children’s literature. Their books such as “Alamat ng Ampalaya” (The Legend of the Bitter Gourd) mix traditional stories with contemporary illustrations. The books enable the culture to be preserved and at the same time made easy for the young generation to read and understand.

Middle Grade Magic

From picture books to narrative texts, we are now in the territory of Filipino middle grade book. These books are meant for children aged between eight and twelve years and are relatively complex with plots and characters. They allow for further development and investigation of issues like identity, friendship, and personal development.

Another Filipino middle grade writer of note is Andrew Jalbuena Pasaporte. His book, “Gimo Jr. and the Aswang Clan,” is a thrilling adventure through Filipino folklore. Young Gimo Jr. explores the presence of fantasy creatures within real life to enthrall and inform the viewers. The themes of Pasaporte entail the beauty and mystery of Filipino folklore as well as general concepts applicable to middle graders’ books.

Filipino Stories and Celebrating Our Culture

Yes, Filipino children’s book are entertaining, but they are also informative primarily about Filipino culture. These stories also help familiarize the young readers with Philippine traditions such as the various festivals and values of the family. Through such books, young children can understand and embrace their cultural background and have a strong pride in who they are.

Like Araw sa Palengke (A Day at the Market) by May Tobias-Papa where the struggles and joys of a typical Filipino household are portrayed in a heartwarming manner. In the course of this story, the reader gets an opportunity to understand local culture and daily routines through observing the interactions of a young girl and her mother within a marketplace. Such books serve as references for the young generation to learn and adapt to the Filipino culture.

Opening New Horizons through Diverse Voices

It is also important to know that Filipino children’s book strengthen diversity and inclusion as well. They bring out and provide a variation of characters and situations, which instill tolerance and acceptance in children. These books paint the picture of Philippine society including the ethnic groups and the modern-day problems in society.

For example, “Filipino Friends” by Liana Romulo tells the story of a young Filipino American boy who visits the Philippines for the first time. The inclusion of both English and Filipino in the story adds to the value of the book since it makes it a tool for learning both languages. It can be easily appreciated by children, especially those of different generations as it enlightens them about Filipino culture.

The Power of Representation

Representation in literature matters. Sadly, when children do not see themselves reflected in the books they are reading, it can provide little assurance that they belong. Filipino children’s books provide such representation, awesome to young readers that their experiences and culture matter.

In a society that sometimes fails to pay attention to minorities in the media, these books are important in the society. It allows Filipino children to understand who they are and make others appreciate the Filipino culture as well. In this manner, children all over the world can embrace the richness and texture of Filipino culture.

To sum up, Filipino children’s books should and Filipino middle grade book do present readers with a rich stock of entertaining, informative, and motivating stories. From embracing folklore to learning the importance of diversity, these books have an enormous potential to change the young generation. Zooming into children’s literature from the Philippines while reading as a parent, teacher, or learner can be fascinating and profound.

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Comments (1)

  • Dharrsheena Raja Segarranabout a month ago

    Hey, just wanna let you know that this is more suitable to be posted in the BookClub community 😊

EWritten by Ella

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