Good Neighbors Philippines, a child-focused humanitarian NGO, has launched its first-ever Children’s Books created by Children and Youth of the organization from different areas nationwide.

The book entitled “Children: Our Voices and Innovators for Development” or the COVID Book was launched during the culminating activity of the 2020 National Children’s Month (November 27, 2020) in partnership with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), attended by partner individuals, organizations, celebrity child guests, Xia and Baste, and some of the children and youth writers and illustrators. This book is a collection of 10 storybooks, written and illustrated by children and youth of Good Neighbors Philippines, sharing their experiences and lessons learned during the community quarantine, and show their thoughts and feelings that most children have to overcome during the difficult times. Topics included were forgiveness, the value of the family, love, humility, hope, helping each other, and many more.

Book Development Journey

The Book Development Project was conducted to continuously provide capacity building training and educate children in fulfillment of their rights and to enhance their potentials, despite COVID-19. This project aimed to teach children how to write a story, develop a picture book, and document their experiences in this time of health crisis. In this light, GN PHL reached out to Child Rights Club (CRC) members – a GNIP-organized club in schools, and sponsored children from the 8 Community Development Project (CDP) Areas of GN PHL and its mother organization – Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) nationwide. 

The children and youth participants have undergone two training in writing and illustrating to come up with a wonderful children’s book intended for beginning readers. Mr. Alfredo Santos, who is an awarding-winning writer and global publishing manager of Room to Read, an international non-profit organization focused on education and gender equality, facilitated the first training on writing for a picture book. Then, continuous training on Illustration was conducted, spearheaded by the Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), the Philippines’ first and only organization of illustrators committed to the creation and promotion of illustration for children. This set of training boosted the confidence and upskill the knowledge of the children and youth to create their own Children’s books.

These children’s books developed will shed hope and inspiration to children and youth, especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a testament that despite difficult situations, we can still bring out the best in us – even among the children. 

THE 10 CHILDREN’S BOOKS:

• “Carlo Palalaro (Playful Carlo)” – an engaging story about a kid who wanted to play outside which most of the children can relate to, written by Brix Rafael Martin and illustrated by Simon Gabriel Lopez from Hagonoy, Bulacan.

• “Krisis (Crisis)” – an emotional story about the hope and dream of a child living in the streets, written by Mary Joy Robles, and illustrated by Paul Justin Miguel from Hagonoy, Bulacan.

• “Sina Litlit at Lotlot (Litlit and Lolot)” – a heartwarming story about siblings’ love and care for each other in times of need, written and illustrated by John Lloyd Galdo from Laak, Davao de Oro.

• “Ang Magkaibigan (The Friends)” – a story about friendship and forgiveness, written and illustrated by Madel Esona from Sitio Bakal, Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

• “Ang Masisipag na mga Langgam (The Hardworking Ants)” – a simple story about humility and hard work, written and co-illustrated by Maribeth Tio, and illustrated by Erica Mosquite from Laak, Davao de Oro. 

• “Ang Nakabubusog na Hapunan (The Hearty Dinner)” – a simple story of a family being there for each other during hard times, written by Sophia Marie Malasan, and illustrated by Carl Mangosong Tolentino from San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.

• “Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Sakuna (Hope in the Midst of Disaster)” – an engaging story about a parent and a child’s relationship during difficult times, written and illustrated by Eric Cagay from Laak, Davao de Oro.

• “Perou, Ang Paru-Paro (Perou, the Butterfly)” – a powerful story about bullying and friendship, written and illustrated by Quemh Altamera from Laak, Davao de Oro.

• “Si Pilo, Ang Batang Bayani (Pilo, The Young Hero)” – a comforting and educational story about Pilo teaching other people the lessons he learned from the sickness he recovered, written by John Emmanuel Tayo, and illustrated by Dan Clarence Tindugan and Karl Lester Escaño from Gigmoto, Catanduanes.

• “Superhero” – a very interesting story about the heroes of today – the frontlines, written by Bryan Furry Cinco, and illustrated by Marilyn Rulete from San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.

Proceeds of the Children’s Books

The books will be available in Good Neighbors PHL Lazada Store and will be available in National Bookstore and Rex Bookstore. (Limited Stock Only!)

The proceeds and income that will be generated from the COVID Book intend to mobilize funds that will benefit the marginalized children, youth, and communities of Good Neighbors Philippines. It will be translated into concrete services through sectoral programs of the organization on education, health, sponsorship, and advocacy, among others. There are also services extended to the family and the community in the form of income-generating projects, projects for the environment, and disaster risk reduction and management. All these services are geared towards directly and indirectly improving the life of the child.

Get your book collection today and support youth education!