Papertigers.org | October 2009 | Children's Literature from/about the Philippines

Award-winning author of books for children and young adults, Carla Pacis tells us about herself as a young reader, her career, literary influences, new projects...


	Nancy Harrington, co-founder of Books for the Barrios, speaks about the project's goals and the impact it has had on children's lives in the Philippines and in the US...

The art of award-winning illustrator Sergio Bumatay III can be found in some of the best children's books in the Philippines. His incredible talent and unforgettable style leave no doubt: he has come to stay...


	Frances Alcaraz's art enchants at first sight. Her boundless creativity and love of colors are signs of an artist who has not forgotten the wonders of childhood - monsters under the bed and all... For more art, check out Filipino artist Arnaldo Mirasol and Filipino-American illustrator Carl Angel's features...

The Mats, by Francisco Arcellana, illus. by Hermes Alegre

The Mats

written by Francisco Arcellana, illustrated by Hermes Alegre
(Kane/Miller, 1999)

This beautiful picture book was adapted for children in 1995 from a 1938 short story by the acclaimed short story writer and Philippine National Artist in Literature, Francisco Arcellana.

A multi-layered story about family traditions, childhood anticipation, and parental expectations is disguised in simple language and transforms, suddenly, into a story of remembrance and a lesson in honoring the dead...


			October 2009 Now, more than ever, other countries and customs affect our everyday lives, wherever we live, making it crucial to teach our children about the wealth of cultures our world is home to. In this bimonthly update, we devote special attention to the Philippines, whose unique history and complex cultural amalgamation have created a rich legacy borne out in its children's literature. By paying tribute to both old and new narratives in English from and about the country, and to the talented writers and illustrators who bring them to life, we hope to encourage readers to explore the bigger—much bigger!—picture of children’s literature from the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora. Personal Views: Filipino Books for Children: Old and New Favorites by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz; Who Am I? – Reflections on Growing Up Biracial in the Philippines by Barbara-Ann Gamboa Lewis; Helping Children Make Sense of Climate Change by Carmelita C. Ballesteros. Reprints: Interviews with Dorina Lazo Gilmore and Edna Cabcabin Moran, by Tarie Sabido; Article by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, The Door to the World of Books Must be Unlocked for All Children. Revisited: The Many Possibilities of Poetry, by Lara Saguisag. Book Reviews: Make sure to read PaperTigers' new reviews as well as new additions from our other review sources: CCBC, Resource Links, Books for Keeps... Lists & Links: There's much to learn from and discover in these reading lists and links to organizations, book awards, publishers, and more. Happy explorations!

On the PaperTigers blog you will find our current and past themes unpacked and expanded, as well as news and views on multicultural and international books, world literacy, bedtime stories, children's literature events, and more...Come and join our ongoing conversation!


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