The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) presented the first ever National Children’s Book Awards last July 24 at the Mandarin Oriental in Makati City.
From out of 131 children’s books nominated this year, the board of judges awarded Araw sa Palengke (Adarna House) written by May Tobias-Papa and illustrated by Isabel Roxas; Tuwing Sabado (Lampara Books) written by Russell Molina andillustrated by Sergio Bumatay III; Can We Live on Mars (Adarna House) written by Gidget Roceles-Jimenez and illustrated by Bru; Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub (Bookmark) written by Russell Molina and illustrated by Jomike Tejido; Tagu-Taguan (Tahanan Books) written and illustrated by Jomike Tejido; and Just Add Dirt (Adarna) written by Becky Bravo and illustrated by Jason Moss as this year’s winners.
Araw sa Palengke tells the story of a little girl who accompanies her mother to the market. The book takes the readers to the “hot, noisy,smelly, and muddy” but “fascinating and colorful” market seen from a point ofview that’s only three feet tall. Tuwing Sabado is about a boy who anticipates every Saturday as it is the only dayhe can be with his father, who always has something new in store for his son ineach visit. Can We Live on Mars?: A Book About Space is a book that is “both educational and entertaining for kids at the threshold of adolescence. It aptly echoes children’s questions about astronomy and its function in culture and society.” Lub-Dub,Lub-Dub “clearly yet dispassionately” details the achievements of National Scientist Dr. Fe del Mundo from the point of view of an observer who is a child and also tells of the child’s love for her younger sister who has a heart disease. Tagu-Taguan introduces readers to the backyard creatures and the surprises one can find when you care to seek them out.
This year’s board of judges is composed of: Dr. Lina Diaz de Rivera, a former reading professor from the University of the Philippines and a multi-awarded children’s book author; Karen Ocampo Flores, visual artist, curator, and writer, and recipient of the Thirteen Artists Award from the CCP; Ana Maria Rodriguez, a former elementary level teacher at the International School Manila; Maria ElenaLocsin, an author and teachers of language arts with a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University Graduate School of Education; and Tarie Sabido, a blogger of children’s and young adult books is taking up her MA in English Studies at the University of the Philippines.
The NCBA is the first award of its kind that recognizes the country’s best published children’s books, which include both works of fiction and nonfiction. This year, the NBDB and PBBY accepted nominations of books published in 2008 and 2009.
The 2010 NCBA was made possible in partnership with Manila Bulletin and Jollibee.
More information here.
