Continuing its advocacy of fortifying the imagination and creativity of each child, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), in partnership with the National Book Development Board (NBDB), celebrates National Children’s Book Month this July. To help promote diversity and inclusivity among readers, the theme of the month-long celebration is Magkaiba? Magkaisa! Magbasa.
The event includes various online activities from storytelling, art workshops, sectoral meetings and a summit. Some of these activities will be live-streamed for free on the official social media pages of PBBY, NBDB, CCP, and CCP Intertextual Division.
There will be Dalisayan Storytelling and Art Workshops every Saturday for children at 10:00 a.m. from July 3 to 24. The said virtual event will feature the following storytellers and stories for children: Rich Rodriguez storytelling “Araw sa Palengke” and “Ang Sampung Bukitkit,” and Amber Noval storytelling “Habulan” and “Pitong Tsinelas.”
July 3 marks the first PBBY-sponsored gathering of Children’s Librarians called Ang Aklatan ay Kanlungan: Usap-Usapan ng mga Children’s Librarians. After librarians, it’s the children’s authors’ turn as they meet on July 15 for Kapihan ng mga Kuwentito’t Kuwentita.
There will also be a Publisher’s Spotlight every Monday of July on the PBBY FB page. These posts are meant to highlight the work of new and independent children’s book publishers.
On July 20, the National Children’s Book Day (NCBD) virtual ceremonies will be led by PBBY, NBDB and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Officials will present the winners of the PBBY-Salanga and PBBY-Alcala Prizes. The winners will receive cash prizes given by the CCP to express its support to visual and literary artists for children in the Philippines. On the same day, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang InK) will introduce its exhibition entitled “Bagong Pahina.” The CCP-produced e-book “Magkaiba? Magkaisa. Magbasa! Ang Danas ng Nagkakaisang Sektor para sa Librong Pambata” edited by Ani Rosa Almario will also be launched during the said ceremonies.
On July 31, the Philippine Children’s Book Summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Participants will be immersed in various panel discussions on inclusive and diverse children’s literature, as well as have the chance to attend a Children’s Book Reviewing Workshop and a Storytelling Workshop.
The PBBY, with the support of NBDB, celebrates National Children’s Book Month to encourage a culture of creativity and curiosity through reading, despite these uncertain times.
