Pinoy children's book 'Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu' bags literary prize in Sweden

An award-winning children's book about the anxiety that comes with having a new sibling was yet again conferred an award, this time by a foundation in Sweden.

 

The book "Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu!" authored by Nanoy Rafael and illustrated by Sergio Bumatay III was awarded the Peter Pan Prize by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) in Sweden, according to a post by Philippine publisher Adarna House, which published the book.

 

“The Filipino picture book Naku, nakuu, nakuuu! represents a part of the world not often seen in Swedish publishing for children. The theme, however, is universal: A child getting a younger sibling,” read the IBBY’s citation for the book. "The boy Isko’s anxiety about the changes he suspects will take place in his family is expressed by the recurrent cry of “Naku, nakuu, nakuuu!” (roughly “My, my, oh my!”), it said.

 

“The illustrations mirror the main character’s apprehension, and visualize his fears in an imaginative and detailed way. Through a changing palette of colours the pictures follow Isko’s mood from anxious bewilderment to the harmonious final page: Here, the mask which Isko has worn throughout the book has been removed, and he seems to have grown into his role of soon-to-be older brother,” the citation continued. Multiple awards

 

According to the IBBY, the Peter Pan Prize is annually awarded to children’s or young adult books authored by, among others, people “previously unpublished or little known in Sweden” and “from a country, language group or culture with limited representation in Sweden.”

 

The book’s Swedish version was published by Bokförlaget Trasten. Adarna House noted that the Swedish prize was not "Naku's" first. It had already won the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) Silver Anniversary Salanga and Alcala Prizes in 2008, while its illustrations won the Encouragement Prize for the same year’s Noma Concours for Children’s Picture Book Illustrations.

 

The Metrobank Foundation’s Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED) also chose "Naku" to be part of the National Book Development Board’s list of Highly Recommended Supplementary Materials. Vision

 

GMA News Online interviewed via email both Rafael and Bumatay, who shared their vision for Philippine children’s literature beyond the awards they have received.

 

Rafael, 25 and currently doing freelance work, started in the field of children's literature for "purely selfish reasons." He joked that he wanted more children to appreciate the beauty of literature so that when they get older he will have more people to talk to.

 

Aside from "Naku," Rafael co-authored another children's book, "The Grand Parade," translated young adult novel "Ang Lihim ng San Esteban" by Annette Flores Garcia, and was the head writer for around two seasons of the rebooted children's television show "Batibot." Currently, he said he is working on a young adult novel.

 

Rafael said he was "skeptical" when he heard the news about the Peter Pan Prize, which was relayed to him by Bumatay, whom he "blames" for "Naku"'s success.

 

“There is a lot of great children's literature written by Filipinos, most are probably more deserving of the award than mine. I blame it all on Serj--he did a fantastic job of making my mundane story become a fantastic one! I don't think Naku would receive all the recognitions it has been given were it not for Serj's illustrations," he said. Great responsibility to readers

 

According to Rafael, writing solely to get a child's attention is not enough because writer should be aware of their “great responsibility” to their readers.

 

"Writers (of any medium) have a great responsibility to their readers, as they are not only taking valuable time from a (probably) productive human being, but are also contributing to how that person thinks," he said.

 

"The language of stories, especially those directed at children, should be powerful enough to change a person, however small that change is," Rafael also said.

 

As an example, he mentioned an incident he learned about what "Naku" did for a boy.

 

"One of Adarna's storytellers had a nephew who was a soon-to-be brother, and the kid really hated the fact that his mother is pregnant. The kid was acting up, being bratty and throwing tantrums. He even poured water on their television set. So his tita storyteller gave him Naku,” he said.

 

“The next day, the kid completely stopped acting up. He hugged his mom's pregnant tummy, and promised that he'll take care of the baby when it cries," Rafael continued.

 

He believes there should be more books for children written in the local languages, not just in English and Filipino, as well as more literature targeted at young adult readers.

 

He also hopes there would be more children's literature "that aren't written around specific lessons, and are instead just really good stories that make kids think and imagine." Higher purpose

 

Illustrator Bumatay's first exposure to children's literature was in 2003 as a member of art group Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan, which promotes illustrations for children.

 

He said joining the group, which he cites as his influence in drawing, was an avenue for him to learn and be inspired that made his craft "so much better." It was also a way to expand his network in the community of children's book publishing, which he said is "delightful to be part of."

 

Bumatay graduated with a fine arts degree in 2000, and aside from illustrating for children's books is also a book designer and occasional painter.

 

At first thinking illustrating children's books was only for fun, he found a higher purpose in the medium.

 

"Later on I realized there’s a bigger picture to place my talent into, illustrating for children became a calling for me. Through wonderful books, many children, and kids-at-heart too, will be able to see and reach the positive messages I wanted to convey through my illustrations," Bumatay said.

 

He has illustrated other books for children, such as "Ay Naku!" by Reni Roxas, 2012 National Children’s Book Award (NCBA)–One of the Best Reads; "Tight Times" by Jeanette Patindol, 2007 Philippine Board on Books for Young People Salanga-Alcala Illustrator’s Prize grand winner; and "The Boy Who Touched Heaven" by Iris Gem Li, 2008 National Book awardee.

 

"My aim is always to make beautiful books that hopefully can stand the test of time, culture, and place. The recognition we receive is just an icing on the cake. The recent recognition was really unexpected," he said.

 

Bumatay said he believes in the power of illustrations combined with words to be a "mind-bending tool" that is the picture book, which he said have the capacity to “inspire children forever.” What the industry needs

 

To improve children's literature, Bumatay said what is needed is to make the public more aware of the field and hopes for its support.

 

"The local children’s literature industry is very alive and exciting! What we need is awareness for the public that we also have excellent children’s book creators, publishers, and kidlitosphere existing," he said.

 

"The industry works so hard to make beautiful books for our children, it will be all put to waste if unappreciated. We are fervently hoping that more people all over the country, from all backgrounds, support our local children’s book industry," Bumatay continued. - VVP, GMA News