Happy Home Reviewed

For a year now, I’ve been working on the 5th book of the Happy Home series and finally, we’re in the home stretch. And yet, my publisher and I are still agonizing over the title.

While we were hard at work, this old review of the series—when there were just three books—popped in my head and here I am revisiting it.

It was penned in Filipino by Dr. Eugene Yambot Evasco, a University of the Philippines' faculty member, Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature; and a Palanca Hall of Fame Awardee.  

Having inadequate familiarity with the language, I won’t be able to translate it to English accurately and as beautifully as Dr. Evasco wrote it, not in a million years. I will simply try to approximate his words—as best as this Ilocana could.

"It is quite apparent that many of Grace's children's books are about family and how people should develop good values." Yes, every book that I write should advocate family values, or I don't write at all. 

The series begins with Coming Home, where a 14-year-old street child is adopted by a Christian family and completes the household. "This first book is vital because, like any first chapter of a novel, the introduction of characters is key to the narrative."

"The 2nd book [That First Sunday] demonstrates the significance of the day as a time for worship and rest—as well as for family bonding and diligent study of the Bible."

"And the third book [Bully Vs. Bully] takes on a serious issue in schools, bullying."

"These books are essential and timely because they teach young readers the value of kindness, of adoption, and of sharing each other's grief. This series parallels what's happening in the world today—adoption of: refugees from hard, war-torn countries; babies abandoned by their parents; and street children . . . it likewise tackles the changing concept of family—from nuclear to extended."

Dr. Evasco ended his review with, "We often hear that charity begins at home. But in Grace's books, charity is not confined in the home, but can spring toward the dangerous spaces of the streets.”

Such insightful words, deeply perceptive of the series’ vision, are what's keeping the 5th book difficult to mount. In addressing delicate issues (the 4th book, The Real Thief, takes on children in conflict with the law), Happy Home cannot afford to offend the sensibilities of the readers for whom the books have been specially written.