Ruby Tuesday#33 A Dozen Pairs of Shoes

At my age, I am still fond of reading children's books especially by Philippine authors. I am not sure why but it's probably because the only children's books I had when I was a kid was the set of children's bible story books my mother bought for me and my brother. I have only encountered Cinderella, Snow White and the others through my cousins' books and through stories from schoolbooks.

Anyway, I have observed that there are more Philippine children's books nowadays as compared during my childhood days. I find Philippine children's books quite engaging because a lot of them are just short stories with beautiful, colorful illustrations, easy to read and understand, helpful in developing moral values without losing sight of our Filipino heritage.

A favorite children's book of mine is entitled "A Dozen Pairs of Shoes (Sandosenang Sapatos) by Dr. Luis P. Gatmaitan, who won a Don Carlos Palanca memorial award for literature for this book. The book was beautifully and creatively illustrated by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero.

The books tells of a story of a father's love to his child that even with limited means of livelihood, he was able to show his love to his family especially to his own child in his own special ways. The story actually made me teary-eyed (come to think of it, I never had this experience with other children's books).

There are more books I have read by the same author but this one is my favorite. In fact, I always give this book as a gift whenever I get invited to any children's parties.

Note: The book has an English translation right on the same page of its Tagalog version.




Go here for more.