Reading books to your children has, at least, a twofold benefit: your children get to learn and you get to bond with each other. But did you know that if you read them books in a second or even third language, your children get more out of the experience?
In a 2013 study on bilingual reading published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the authors claimed that children exposed early to two linguistic systems during reading time gain “computational strength and processing agility in speed and accuracy.”
Thankfully there are books created by Filipino authors and illustrators, either with English translations or just in Filipino, that will help develop your child’s appreciation for the Filipino language. Here are some fun, affordable reads that will help you raise a bilingual—or multilingual—child.
1. Araw sa Palengke (Written by May Tobias-Papa; illustrated by Isabel Roxas; published by Adarna House)
What’s it like at a Filipino wet and dry market? There’s so much to see, from fruits to fresh meat, from charming vendors to cute toys. Take a tour through the book’s beautiful illustrations and find the wonderful surprise at the end of the fun story. Read in English and Filipino and catch your toddler’s attention by pointing out details and introducing Pinoy day-to-day items.
See Philippine vegetables making funny facial expressions in this 3rd National Children’s Book Awards winner, entitled after a beloved traditional Filipino folk song. While looking at the Illustrations by Pergylene Acuña, you can also sing the song. Not only does it introduce healthy eating to your toddler, it also shows the importance of eating together as a family.
3. Pitong Tsinelas (Written by Divine Reyes; illustrated by Benjor Catindig; published by Tahanan Books)
This simple story about slippers will definitely help your child learn the importance of inclusivity. Originally designed to teach kids from 0 to 4 years old to learn how to count, Pitong Tsinelas also teaches children to value people from all walks of life, in all shapes and sizes. For instance, on one page, it says, “Isang tsinelas sa may pinto, naghihintay ng kalaro, (One slipper, waiting for a friend,)” with an illustration of one foot and crutches.
More than a compilation of Filipino folk songs and popular play chants, this hard-bound book comes with amazing visual art that will delight your toddler’s senses, and a free downloadable music album with songs sung by popular Filipino artists.
You can also reminisce your childhood and teach your children the wonders of playing outside, singing Nanay, Tatay Gusto kong Tinapay (rapped by Anne Curtis, Gloc9, and Darren Espanto) or Pakitong Kitong (sung by Lea Salonga), while raising funds for UNICEF and the Tukod Foundation and the Shining Light Foundation.
5. 500 Words and Pictures: My First Bilingual Visual Dictionary (Illustrated by Fran Ng; published by Tahanan Books)
If you want to raise a bilingual child, this book is a must-have. This dictionary boasts of a “visual feast” of images usually found in Filipino households and it also teaches Filipino terms of essential words referring to, among others, body parts, food, and events. An English and Filipino list will also make it easy for parents to quickly identify words they would like to teach their children.
6. A for Adobo; An Alphabet of Filipino Food (Written and illustrated by Nelson Agustin; translated by JB Cada and Flor delos Santos; published by Tahanan Books)
Teach your children about favorite traditional Filipino food while they learn the alphabet. Creatively styled images of each dish expose the reader to Pinoy culinary culture. Aside from expanding your children’s food vocabulary, the book also offers food notes in Filipino and English that can further deepen your children’s understanding of each dish.
