Writing a children’s book is not as simple as it seems, according to Dr. Jayson Petras, a professor at the University of the Philippines and the Director of UP Diliman Sentro ng Wikang Filipino. He emphasized in an ABS-CBN News report that many factors, such as theme, language use, writing style, and simplicity of sentences, are crucial in making a book effective for young readers.
Petras offered his critique of Vice President Duterte’s self-authored book, “Isang Kaibigan,” suggesting that certain aspects of the story could be improved for better understanding by young learners. The book, released in November 2023, tells the story of an owl abandoned by his bird friends after a storm and later helped by a parrot.
While praising the book’s intent to impart lessons on friendship and kindness, Petras noted that the personification of characters needed refinement. “Mahalaga rin na sasaliksik ano’ng klaseng ibon ang tinatampok mo na karakter,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of accuracy in portraying animal behaviors even in fictional settings.
Petras also highlighted the need for the book to use simple language and sentences appropriate for its intended age group. “Kung mas bata ang magbabasa nito, dapat hindi siya maraming salita na bago,” he said, pointing out that children have limited vocabulary and might struggle with complex words like ‘kagutuman’ (hunger).
Furthermore, Petras advised that books for children should clearly state the appropriate age group and undergo rigorous editing and proofreading processes to avoid grammatical and factual errors. “Akala natin basta marunong ka ng wika, mayroon kang kwentong gustong sabihin ay pwede ka na lang magsulat at tapos na,” Petras stated, stressing that writing for children requires careful consideration and often involves workshops to refine the narrative and language.
Duterte’s book has faced criticisms for alleged errors and plagiarism, which she addressed by stating that the project aims to encourage children to read and write their own stories based on personal experiences.
As Duterte plans to write another book, Petras urged her to be mindful of the writing process to ensure the message is effectively conveyed to young readers. “Kung pag-uusapan natin ang isang tema na gaya ng pagtataksil ng kaibigan, baka masyadong mabigat na ang tema na ito para sa isang bata,” he remarked, suggesting that while themes like betrayal can be explored, they need careful handling to be appropriate for children.
Dr. Petras also serves as a professor at UP Diliman’s Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature and is the editor of ‘Aklatang Bayan,’ a publication of UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino.