Kids

Modern Parenting’s Tagalog Children’s Book Recommendations

by Kevyn Gohu
August 4, 2023

Buwan ng Wika is the perfect opportunity to get our children to read books in Tagalog! Here are some of our recommendations!

One of the biggest reasons kids become frustrated with their Filipino classes is because they had not been exposed to Tagalog enough. Unless they grew up with their yaya speaking Filipino to them or among other family members who use it as their primary language, we often hear them speak English. With social media already teaching them English, here are some Tagalog children’s books to check out!

1. Alamat ng Lumpia by Nina Daza

Legends always enticed and enchanted children with the mystical. And in honor of her family’s long and loving relationship with Filipino cuisine, Chef Nina Daza wrote a children’s book called the Alamat ng Lumpia. Written in both English and Tagalog, the story engages kids with every Filipino’s favorite party food.

2. Pilandok: The Trickster Tales

Unlike many epics telling enthralling tales of heroes triumphing over their enemies with strength, Pilandok emerges victorious with his cunning and skills. The tales of the trickster mouse-deer Pilandok have often been adapted into children’s books, told in both Filipino and English. The many anecdotes involving his adventures offer lessons on how their brains are always better than their brawn.

3. A is For Adobo: ABCs of Filipino Culture

If every culture has its version of ABC, why can’t Filipinos? A is For Adobo: ABCs of Filipino Culture showcases the different aspects of Filipino culture in the traditional ABC format. It’s both a song and a children’s book told in Filipino, even showing how these are seen in daily life.

4. Araw sa Palengke

The palengke (or wet market) is a core part of every Filipino family’s life. There are even times we make a field trip out of the palengke for the kids to see what fresh goods look like. Araw sa Palengke tells the tale of a daughter accompanying her mother while witnessing the ups and downs of traveling to and within the market. Towards the end of the story, she enjoys a sumptuous and thankful surprise!

5. Kayang-Kaya

Our kids will always ask themselves if they can do it. But in Tagalog, we can tell them, “Kayang-kaya niyo yan!” The story Kayang-Kaya talks about kids who are experimenting and learning about their surroundings, strengths, and limitations. It’s a slice-of-life Tagalog children’s book that encourages kids to make mistakes and learn more about themselves.

6. Ang Mabait na Kalabaw

Especially for kids who are starting out, Ang Mabait na Kalabaw offers a rich source of Tagalog vocabulary and also a sense of Filipino virtues via the beloved Filipino farm animal, the carabao. Being the Philippines’ official national animal, the carabao has many virtues and values that the story Ang Mabait na Kalabaw teaches kids to emulate when they grow up.

Why we should encourage reading children’s books in Tagalog

Encouraging our children to read books in Tagalog helps them in the long run especially when they reach college. Some of their subjects like Philosophy will be taught in Filipino and they’ll also have Filipino literature as one of their core subjects in big schools. Making our kids read children’s books in Filipino at least builds a foundation for more formal and casual Filipino use rather than the slang Tagalog they may have picked up playing online games with other Filipino players.