Crying Children

This 11th book in the “Oh, Mateo!” series made it to the 30th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), coming off the press a day before the opening!

By grace, it was warmly received by the readers, children with ages ranging from 8 to 12 (although many kids younger or older claim they, too, read the series).

With every new book, a comment such as this never fails to tickle an author's heart: “This completes my collection of your books. When is the next one coming?”

Crying Children is a tribute to child care center teachers—they who volunteer their time nurturing very young children, and ushering them into the academic world for the first time. Mateo, the main character in the series, affirms these selfless teachers by demonstrating how this spirit of volunteerism has rubbed off on him.

It was my day one at the MIBF. Although I got to the OMFLit booth very early, many got there even earlier. The OMFLit staff kept a punishing pace; many activities were scheduled that day—storytelling sessions, interview over DZAS, and book signing.

Nothing beats the joy of interacting with children—their candor can waft you up the clouds or bring you down to earth, with a thud.

“Why haven’t you written anything about my cat?"

“I read your books to my baby sister because she can't read yet."                                     

“I lend my books to my friends. But I wish they'd buy their own books!" 

“My grandma buys me your 'Oh, Mateo!' books because she says I am a good boy, like Teo.”

“You look like my grandmother!"

"You look like my sister!" 

I could write another book on those candid comments. For now, let me wallow in the grace I amassed through Crying Children on my day one at the 30th MIBF!