Growing up in uncertain times can be a source of distress and future trauma for children. Explaining current events to kids can be a difficult job, but thankfully, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is here to help. On Nov. 27, the CCP will be launching “Sa Pagbabasa, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” an ebook that aims to help children understand the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and offer them comfort and a sense of purpose.
According to the CCP announcement, the launch, which is part of its celebration of the CCP Children’s Biennale, “does not only highlight the role books should play in our lives, but it champions the importance of nurturing the young readers’ curiosity and imagination through reading.”
It adds: “The ebook contains a collection of children’s books, artworks for children, comics and other artistic and literary works about health, COVID-19, and the value of cooperation created by Filipino writers, illustrators and children from different regions of the country.”
According to the post, “The book project aims to engage children in reading local and relevant materials, as well as give the general public, especially parents and teachers, access to numerous published children’s literature that teach children about the coronavirus and encourage them to protect themselves, in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis.”
The ebook’s Nov. 27 launch will be hosted on the CCP Facebook page and on the CCP Intertextual Division’s Facebook page. The program will begin at 4 p.m. with the book launch and will include a storytelling session of “Masama Bang Humiling Ng Isa Pang Araw?” a story written and illustrated by teacher Oliver V. Arevalo of Olongapo City.
“Sa Pagbabasa, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa” is offered free to the public through the CCP website. For more information and updates, you can follow the CCP and the CCP Intertextual Division on Facebook.
Header image courtesy of Aaron Burden on Unsplash
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