Repackaging Traditional Literature Folk literature has always been a staple source of content for children’s books. The goal is to pass on this intangible heritage to the next generations. Creators are making the most out of these readily available materials from over a hundred ethno-linguistic groups by retelling, adapting, modernizing, and finding new platforms for children who learn best through sensory stimulation and play. Traditional songs, for instance, are accompanied by illustrations in the board book versions of Bahay Kubo by Pergylene Acuña and Sampung mga Daliri by Hubert Fucio. Spot illustrations by various artists also appear in Piagsugpatan, a collection of Mandaya tales abridged by Marcy Dans Lee. Meanwhile, Tahanan’s collections of familiar and newly-crafted riddles Aba! Ano ang Bunga? Mabubungang Bugtong by Ompong Remigio and Mon Pineda and the two volumes of Bugtong,
Bugtong by Rene O. Villanueva and Daniel P. Tayona are illustrated and designed to be interactive. Classic literary works usually for older readers are inspirations in books for the very young. Adarna House’s board book Ang Ibong Adarna retells the first section of the lengthy corrido, while Tahanan’s Bulilit Board Books set utilises elements from Ang Alamat ng Ibong Adarna, Florante at Laura, and Noli Me Tangere to introduce the concept of numbers, colors, and shapes. This trend has also been done in other countries, with parents wanting to expose their children to literary preferences at the earliest possible time.
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