It's important to foster a love of reading among kids, especially if such children’s books instill in them invaluable lessons they'll be carrying throughout adolescence and the rest of their lives.
There seems to be this unfair notion that serious or difficult things must be withheld from children, or avoided in conversation around them, but children are capable of empathy and understanding more than they are usually given credit for.
These three children's books written by Filipino authors — which tackle themes like death, discrimination, the LGBTQ+ community and dyslexia — make for educational and insightful reading for kids and adults alike.
‘Dalawa ang Daddy ni Billy’ / ‘Billy Has Two Daddies’
'Dalawa ang Daddy ni Billy,' published by Tahanan Books in 2018, serves as a radical and timeless story about gay fatherhood. Written by the late author Michael P. De Guzman and the late illustrator Daniel Palma Tayona, the book centers around a boy named Billy who experiences being bullied in school for having two dads. The heart of the book lies in its brave conviction that the workings of discrimination and hate will never triumph when set against the boundless power of love.
‘Paalam, Puti’ / ‘Goodbye, Whitey
Talking about death is never easy, but the book 'Paalam, Puti' — written and illustrated by architect-author-artist Jomike Tejido — sensitively takes this on in a way that even children would understand. The book tells the story of a young girl who often plays with her dog, Puti; one day, she encounters the worst when Puti runs into the forest out of her sight.
Published by Anvil Publishing in 2021, 'Paalam, Puti' shows the range and depth of emotion a child can feel over the loss of her best friend, her beloved pet dog.
‘Xilef’
'Xilef,' written by Augie Rivera and illustrated by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero is known as the first Filipino children’s story that aimed to foster a better understanding of dyslexia among children.
In the beginning of 'Xilef,' a playful young boy gets called by his teacher to read in front of the class.
There's just one problem; every time he attempts to read, the letters on the page seem to fly and move around. He faces bullying from his peers and eventually receives help from a nurturing tutor who helps him read by using his forefinger to point at the letters on the page.
'Xilef,' published in 2000 by Adarna House, has garnered many accolades such as the Third Prize from the 1999 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Short Story for Children), Best Book Design in the 2000 National Book Award, and the Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities by the International Board on Books for Young People in 2005.
