Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind

I'm giving away three copies of   Bumasa at Lumaya 2: A Sourcebook on Children's Literature in the Philippines  (Anvil Publishing Inc., 2016)! This is a collection of English and Filipino essays, interviews, and other discussions edited by Ani Rosa Almario, Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, and Ramon C. Sunico, trailblazers in the Philippines' children's book industry. For a chance to win a copy of   Bumasa at Lumaya 2 , all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. Write your name, email address, and one sentence about why you want to learn more about Filipino children's literature. I will randomly select three winners at 9 p.m. (Philippine time) on Wednesday, July 27. This is an international giveaway! :o) EDIT: There appears to be something wrong with the comments section. :o( I apologize for that. Please shoot an email to asiaintheheart@yahoo.com to join the giveaway! Thank you! For more information about the book, visit the other stops on the   Buma...

EDSA by Russell Molina and Sergio Bumatay III (Adarna House and the EDSA People Power Commission, 2013) is a picture book done right. It's the story of the Philippines' nonviolent 1986 EDSA Revolution presented as an interactive counting book. Children are treated to minimal text (in Filipino) and iconic images of the revolution, such as radios, yellow ribbons, military tanks, flowers, and thousands of Filipinos united. Molina used counting because, like counting, the EDSA Revolution was something that started quietly and then escalated. It's brilliant: Gently introducing the EDSA Revolution to children instead of force-feeding a history lesson or hitting them over the head with it. Children will be awed by the illustrations and will have fun counting the birds, soldiers, priests and nuns, supply trucks, and flags in the book, but they will also naturally ask questions about their stories. The book then becomes a springboard for family conversations and classroom dis...

Eric Manalastas and Jayson Vega! Congratulations, Eric and Jayson! I will email you soon to ask for your mailing address.

Andi hasn't seen her brother for eight years and when he steps off the plane from the Philippines, she cannot believe her eyes. He's tall. EIGHT FOOT TALL. But Bernardo is not what he seems. Bernardo is a hero, Bernardo works miracles, and Bernardo has an amazing story to tell. Last night was the launch of the Philippine edition of Tall Story by Candy Gourlay (Cacho Publishing House, 2010). Below is Ramón C. Sunico, the Philippine editor and publisher of Tall Story . He has cried each and every time he has read Tall Story . (It has made me cry, too. It is such a touching story about a long-lost brother and sister. Click here to read a few of my comments on the book and my interview with the author.) Below is the inspiring author herself, talking about how getting her book published in the U.K. (by David Fickling Books), the U.S. (also by David Fickling Books), and the Philippines is one of the best things that has ever happened to her. The very best things to ever happen to...