The idea is to write it so that people hear it, and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.
Maya angelou
It’s hard to imagine a world where women were denied the freedom to read or earn an education. However, for centuries, this was the case, and in certain parts of the globe, it is still a very grim reality. If women who simply learned how to read sparked so much controversy, what about those who chose to write?
You will find that in every era of human history, there is a woman advocating for literacy. The sharing of knowledge and the influence of words among women was something society thought to be feared. This begs to answer the question, “Why?”
In light of Global Literacy Month, we reached out to some very accomplished award-winning Filipina authors. Kristine V. Canon, Liwliwa Malabed, & Zarah Gagatiga are highly-acclaimed educators and writers, and they are also mothers. Today, they are sharing their personal recommendations for mama must-reads, as well as one of their very own books to add to your children’s reading list.
It is said that a well-read woman is a very dangerous creature. Well, these moms have the arsenal for a full fledged war.
Kristine V. Canon, M. Ed.
One of the Founding Directors of Creative Learning Paths School, she has more than 20 years of teaching experience ranging from preschool to college level. She is a faculty member of the College of Education at De La Salle University, and formerly at the Family Life and Child Development Department of UP, Diliman.
Currently, Tin is taking her Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management, at De La Salle University. She finished both her undergraduate and graduate degrees on Family Life, Child Development, and Reading Education from the University of the Philippines.
Tin is a reading specialist, as well as a children’s book writer, having authored original Filipino children’s picture books for the country’s leading publishers. She is also a teacher-trainer and formator for Teach Peace Build Peace Movement.
TIN’S PICKS
I’m recommending my latest picture book titled, ‘Noel! Noel! Leon! Leon!‘ A story of friendship between a neuro-typical child and one with autism. As a teacher-mama, I believe that if we give our children the opportunity to see individuals with disabilities through a more respectful lens, they will naturally be more accepting of differences. In this way, they learn to be more compassionate and empathetic individuals.
TIN’S RECOMMENDED READ FOR MOTHERS
Upon reading the book ‘Parenting for a Peaceful World‘ by Robin Grille, I was floored by the idea that parents can put an end to world problems such as tyranny, human rights and environmental abuses. It made me understand how our history as parents created a culture of violence. Research revealed in this book urged me as a parent to nurture children’s emotional development as a key to creating a more peaceful world for them.
Liwliwa Malabed
(Mother, Teacher, and Writer)
For as long as she can remember, Liwliwa Malabed has been telling stories— her classmates crowding around her as she drew stick figures to accompany her imagination gone awry. She started writing them down after college, with a wealth of children’s storybooks for inspiration. Her first story, Anya and Her Tears, won in MMPI Dreamweaver’s Contest for original bedtime story and illustration (published in Family Reader Magazine). The same story got her a job as a staff writer for Eskwela ng Bayan, a curriculum-based children’s show.
She has received awards for her books and stories including a National Book Award for 100 Questions Filipino Children Ask (with Emylou Infante), PBBY Honorable Mention for Gusto Ko Nang Lumaki!, Lampara Prize Honorable Mention for The Girl Who Always Looked At People’s Shoes, and Second Prize Samsung Kids Time Authors’ Awards for Apuy’s Fury.
an illustration by Cherisse Aguilon
She has written 16 books for kids, and have also written scripts for Sirit!, Jollitown, Probe Production’s travelogue Cheche Lazaro Presents, and ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in European Languages, and her Master’s Degree in Teaching in the Early Grades from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños.
LIWLIWA’S PICKS
Everybody wanted to grow up so fast when they were kids. Especially Buding, the feisty and gullible little girl in this story. This received the honorable mention during the 2005 PBBY-Salanga Prize, and I love this book! Maybe because it’s my story. I always find bits of myself in stories I write. But this one is really all me.
LIWLIWA’S RECOMMENDED READ FOR MOTHERS
Book Design by Beaulah Taguiwalo
Published by Anvil
It’s a poetry book, a feminist book, and an art book all rolled into one. It’s a handy introduction, not just to world and Philippine visual art, but also to the meaning of true beauty. I love that every page carries one or two obra and just a line or two of the poem.
Zarah C. Gagatiga
Zarah Gagatiga handles press releases and communications protocol for the Philippine Association of School Librarians Inc. (PASLI) and currently represents the library sector in the Philippine Board on Books for Young People.
She believes in three things: the power of love; the value of family and friendship; and, with the use of appropriate methods, that books and reading can change lives.
ZARAH’S PICK
A picture book that I worked collaboratively with Jomike Tejido, “My Daddy! My One and Only“ is my homage to my father and my husband. Jomike Tejido picked up the theme and the essence of the story as he added his own spin to it by illustrating the father in the story as an architect. Just like him. Just like his dad.
The inspiration for the story came from a question which my son asked me back when he was seven years old. It was a difficult question to answer, so I thought of writing a story in verse instead. A few years after, I submitted the story to my publisher as a formal manuscript and it was accepted for publication. Since then, it has been a favorite book to read aloud by parents to their children during Father’s Day.
ZARAH’S RECOMMENDED READ FOR MOTHERS
“Women Who Run With Wolves” is my go-to book for when I need assurance, inspiration, motivation and a quiet space to be me.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Creative Learning Paths – https://www.clpschool.com/
Click here to see more children’s books authored by Kristine Canon.
Parenting for a Peaceful World by Robin Grille can be purchased here.
Learn more about Liwliwa on her blog.
Gusto Ko Nang Lumaki by Liwliwa Manabed can be purchased here.
You may contact Liwliwa at [email protected].
If you’d like to read more about Zarah Gagatiga, check out her blog.
You can also find her children’s book, My Daddy! My One and Only! here.
Featured image by Nadi Borodina
Feature written by Thea Arvisu
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