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Projects Scholarship 2019/20 School Library > Why Reading Locate Our Libraries Online Journal > Darlene Hannah Micah Ruzzel Ryan

Scholarship 2019/20

School Library > Why Reading Locate Our Libraries

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Online Journal > Darlene Hannah Micah Ruzzel Ryan

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Author Q＆A：Russell Molina on EDSA 11/27/2013 Illustrated by multi-awarded artist Sergio Bumatay III and published by Adarna House, EDSA is a counting book that reminds kids of this generation about the 1986 People Power Revolution. Award-winning writer Russell Molina talks about EDSA, his latest book. How was EDSA conceived? Can you describe the writing and publication process of EDSA ? EDSA is probably one of the toughest stories to write because it [the 1986 People Power Revolution] is such a defining moment in our history and retelling it for a new generation seems like a daunting task. Also, we all have different versions of that event that can be framed through different lenses – from historical to personal. Since we lack stories on the revolution intended for young readers, I wanted this book to have an introductory feel that can capture both their curiosity as well as their imagination. So I decided to write about the event from their perspective. The tricky part of the storytelling is in choosing which scenes should be given prominence. I think the magic of EDSA is clearly demonstrated in those small, seemingly unnoticed, moments that radiate with real emotions. Through the child’s eyes, I attempted to recreate those wonderful images vis-à-vis the iconic ones. I also remember the EDSA Revolution as a series of different events that ended with thousands of people converging in that historic spot. I wanted the story to have that same effect. That’s why I decided to turn it into a counting book to give it a tempo and a huge crescendo at the end. I think Serj Bumatay did a wonderful job in his re-imagination of Edsa. His visuals were current but at the same time nostalgic in feel. I purposely used words sparingly because I wanted the visuals to drive the story forward. What is your EDSA Revolution experience? Did you inject a part of your experience in the elements of the book? Most of the images I included in the book were culled from memory. These are the vivid scenes that left an impression when I was young. And I wanted to share those images with the young readers. I wanted them to ask questions the way I did during those times. What do you think is the significance of EDSA to children? EDSA is more than just a piece of our history. It is a wellspring of solid Filipino values like determination, cooperation, perseverance, etc. It is about unity. It is about faith. It is about freedom. It showcases the unwavering Filipino spirit. And I think children can learn a lot about themselves and what they are capable of doing through this book Why Picture Books Are Important by Zarah Gagatiga 11/25/2013 I learned to read through picture books. My mother borrowed picture books for me from the library where she worked. From these books, I came to understand that letters are symbols; that words are images; and that stories are visual metaphors that I can fit into my own context. The Cat In The Hat was not simply a C-V-C word pair that I could read with ease. It was to me, a mischievous feline who represented my inner imp waiting to escape when there was no adult supervision at home or in the school playground. I have kept that inner imp locked in my imagination all these years. But, when I’m telling stories with children and teens, especially with my own children, I let it out for some play time. Picture books are important because it allows readers, young and young at heart, to have some fun. Now that I’m a published author of two picture books, I realize the relevance of collaboration between author and illustrator. I was fortunate to be given by Lampara House, my publisher, the freedom to choose the illustrators for my two picture books: My Daddy! My One and Only! with Jomike Tejido and A Tale of Two Dreams with Bernadette Solina-Wolf. Jomike and Bernadette were both open to discuss ideas and receive feedback from me. In return, I saw how they enriched and extended the narrative of my stories through their wonderful illustrations. Jomike, especially, put in a lot of fun and a lot of laughs in My Daddy! He had a ball turning the father and the son, and even the mom in the story into elephants! When I do author visits in schools and libraries, I make it a point to cover this collaborative process in creating picture books. I think children can learn a lot from this experience especially when they are presented with activities to make their own picture books with classmates and friends. We learn better when we interact with others. In picture books and in creating them, we learn from others too! About Zarah Gagatiga Zarah C. Gagatiga is a teacher librarian, storyteller, blogger and published author. She is formerly president of Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING), the premier organization of children’s writers in the Philippines. She has ended her term as president of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and remains as board member representing librarians. She co-authored Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories with Dianne de Las Casas which was published in 2011 by ABC CLIO. She has been conducting lectures, presenting papers and facilitating workshops on library services and storytelling in Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong and recently in Indonesia. Her picture books, My Daddy! My One and Only! and A Tale of Dreams , are both published by Lampara House. Thank you to Dianne de Las Casas and Picture Book Month for kindly allowing us to repost this article.

11/27/2013

11/25/2013

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