Nanoy Rafael, illustrated by Sergio Bumatay III,
Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu!
Adarna House, 2008.

Ages 4-8

Isko runs anxiously from his house, but no one knows why.  “Naku, nakuu, nakuuu,” he worriedly cries to himself. 

From his cousin Kaloy, Isko learns where baby spiders come from and what happens to them, then runs off again. “Naku, nakuu, nakuuu,” he cries as strange images invade his mind. Soon he meets his kind friend Iya and her new puppy and a similar scene unfolds. Then he runs to the clinic, where he asks the brilliant doctora where babies come from and what happens after they are born – especially to the older brother of the new baby...  The doctora suggests that he discuss this with his Nanay and Tatay, and Isko sulks away, sadly muttering the now familiar words, “Naku, nakuu, nakuuu.”

Isko’s friend Otep answers more of his questions and is surprised when Isko suddenly runs off - this time excited and happy - shouting “Naku, nakuu, nakuuu!”  The pictures in Isko’s mind have changed, along with his mood, to happy daydreams of sharing childhood with a younger brother.

“Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu,” the expression for which the book is named, is never translated or explained, but young readers will likely infer that this versatile expression can convey a range of emotions depending on the context. The beautiful story is told from the confused and curious perspective of a big-brother-to-be.  Nanoy Rafael treats Isko’s predicament with honesty and respect, not shrinking from the intensity of emotion surrounding this monumental change in a child’s life. 

Sergio Bumatay III’s amazing illustrations call up all of the mystery in Isko’s mind with surreal and sometimes frightening (but always intriguing) dreamscapes that hint at the source of Isko’s confusion without giving it away.  As Isko’s anxiety transforms into excitement, the color palette shifts from dreary grays and blues to brighter colors, but the illustrations retain the same dreamlike, symbolic quality.

This bilingual treasure, in Tagalog and English, is certain to ease the minds of big-brothers-in-the-making and reassure all siblings of their importance in each other’s lives.  Published in the Philippines in 2008 and winner of both the PBBY-Salanga Writers’ Prize and PBBY-Alcala Illustrators’ Prize, this gem of a book should be translated widely and shared with all children on the cusp of their first major life-transition, the birth of their first younger sibling.

Abigail Sawyer
September 2009