Filipino Children's Books

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From the U.S.

There is a scarcity of Filipino children's books  published in the States. As a child growing up in Detroit and L.A. during the 1970's and 1980's,  I remember searching library shelves for books on Filipino heritage and coming home empty handed. It is the 1990's and the situation has only slightly improved. Now, there are a few social studies books that teach about the Philippine government, geography, and culture or books on Philippine mythology. But there is still a great need for books drawn from the contemporary lives of Filipino American children.
Peter Bacho
"A Matter of Faith." In: Lori M. Carlson's (ed.) American Eyes. Fawcett Juniper. 1994.
Rena Krasno
Kneeling Carabao & Dancing Giants: Celebrating Filipino Festivals. Illustrated by Ileana C. Lee. Pacific View Press.1997.
Philippine American Women Writers and Artists
Seven Stories from Seven Sisters. Illustrations by Fred Carillo. PAWWA. 1992.
Marie Villanueva
Nene and the Horrible Math Monster. Illustrations by Ria Unson. Polychrome. 1993.

From the Philippines

 Over the last few years, I've collected references to children's literature published in the Philippines from my travels and also from the Philippine American Literary House (PAHL). Many of these books are hard to find at Stateside bookstores -- unless you order them from independent bookstores. I have not read all of them, but have found the ones I have read imaginative and fun. PAHL is wonderfully selective about the children's books it recommends. Check them out for synopses of these books:
Lin Acacio-Flores and Annete Flores Garcia.
A Child's Treasury of Philippine Christmas Stories.  Illustrated by Albert Gamos. Tahanan Books, 1996. Softcover, 75 pp.
Maria Luisa B Aguilar-Cariņo.
Cordillera Tales. New Day, 1990. Softcover, 124 pp.
Francisco Arcellana.
The Mats. Illustrated by Hermes Alegre. Tahanan Books, 1995. Softcover, 22 pp.
Marivi Soliven Blanco.
Philippine Fright. Illustrated by Reinard P. Santos. Tahanan Books, 1996. Softcover, 101 pp
Lolita Bulalacao.
A First Look at Philippine Fruits. Pictures by Crispin Dayao, Jr. Tahanan Books, 1994. Softcover, 24 pp.
A First Look at Philippine Trees. Pictures by Crispin Dayao, Jr. Tahanan Books, 1994. Softcover, 24 pp.
Marla Yotoko Chorengel.
Dikya, The Jellyfish. Bookmark, 1991. Hardcover, 23 pp.
Gabi and the Engkanto. Illustrated by Ibarra Crisostomo.Bookmark, 1990. Hardcover, 23 pp.
Maksing and Mona. Illustrated by Albert Gamos. Bookmark, 1991. Hardcover, 23 pp.
Marmol (The Princess of the Marble Palace). Illustrated by Albert E. Gamos. Bookmark, 1990. Hardcover, 20 pp.
The First Cashew Nut. Illustrated by Beth Parrocha. Bookmark, 1990. Hardcover, 22 pp.
Why the Sky is High. Bookmark, 1990. Hardcover, 29 pp.
Dulce Festin-Baybay
Mother Ignacia. Illustrated with historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1992. Softcover, 32 pp.
Vilma May Fuentes
Manggob and His Golden Top. Illustrations by Ninabeth Inis. New Day, 1985. Softcover, 48 pp.
Vivencio R. Jose
Antonio Luna. Historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1992. Softcover, 32 pp.
Stephen Latorre
Apolinario Mabini. Tahanan Books, 1992. Softcover, 32 pp.
Ambeth R. Ocampo
Teodora Alonso.Historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1995. Softcover, 32 pp.
Elmer Ordoņez
Emilio Aguinaldo. Historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1992. Softcover, 32 pp.
Maria Elena Paterno
Earthquake! Tahanan Books, 1994. Softcover, 32 pp.
Typhoon! Tahanan Books, 1993. Softcover, 32 pp.
Volcano! Tahanan Books, 1992. Softcover, 32 pp.
Raymundo Reyes
Castles in the Cordilleras. Giraffe, 1997. Juvenile Fiction. Softcover, 120 pp.
Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz
Don't Take a Bath on Friday. Illustrated by Katti St. Ana.Tahanan Books, 1996. Hardcover, 69 pp.
Gabriela Silang. Historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1992. Softcover, 32 pp.
Ramon Sunico
Two Friends, One World. Illustrated by Joanne de Leon. Bilingual English/Tagalog. Cacho, 1991.Softcover, 1991.
Joel Toledo
Pedro and the Lifeforce. Giraffe, 1997. Juvenile fiction. Softcover, 76 pp.
Sylvia Mendaz Ventura
Benigno Aquino. Historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1995. Sofcover, 32 pp.
Carlos P. Romulo. Historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1995. Softcover, 32 pp.
Jose Rizal. Historical photos. Tahanan Books, 1992. Softcover, 32 pp.
Rene Villanueva
Kung Bakit Umuulan (Why There Is Rain). Illustrated by Robert Alejandro. Cacho, 1991. Softcover, 20 pp.
Unang Baboy Sa Langit (The First Pig in Heaven). Illustrated by Ibarra Crisostomo. Bilingual English/Tagalog. Cacho, 1991. Softcover, 20 pp.

Asian American Children's Book Resources Online

 
Asian American Curriculum Projects, Inc. 
 
 
 
  • Stories from various Asian American communities, categorized by ethnicity.
  • Elementary age picture books
  • Middle Grade and Young Adult literature
  • Bilingual primers, activities
Bess Press 
 
 
  • Picture books drawn from local Hawaiian children's experiences.
  • "Keiki's First Books" - Bilingual concept books
  • Rainbow Readers -  books for beginning readers that draw upon  local Hawaiian  grammar patterns and experiences.
  • Literature, jokes, songs, cartoons, dictionaries.
Kay E. Vandergrift's
Recommended Reading List 
 
  • "Powerful Asian American Images Revealed In Picture Books"
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