Marthe's First Book

One of the goals I wrote in my lifeplan last year during a leadership training in the office is to publish my own book by the time I reach 40. That's two years to go.

My daughter, Marthe, however, beat me to it. She participated in a bookmaking workshop with Adarna House and Filipinas Heritage Library this summer and has come up with her very first book, created and illustrated by her. The front and back covers were printed by Adarna, and the inside pages were actual illustrations and text written on bookpaper. It was cool stuff for a 6-year-old kid.

Close to 20 kids participated in the workshop, ranging from 6 to 11 yrs old. Marthe was one of the two youngest participants. Yesterday was the last session and graduation of the group.

Marthe was very happy to hold her finished book. She was the first one called to read her story aloud to the class. For the first time, my daughter didn't look at me before standing and didn't wait for prodding. She proudly took her book and went in front. For a few seconds, I was hopeful that she has finally shed off her shyness.

But then she opened the book in front of her and we couldn't see her face anymore. It was almost one minute before I realized that she was already reading the story that only she and the teacher can hear. Some of her classmates looked at me. I told her across the room, "Louder, baby. We can't hear!" But she kept on reading, oblivious to anything else. Halfway through, her voice became a little louder but we could still only hear snippets.

Finally, the story ended and nobody knew what it was all about -- except for me, who helped her color some of the drawings at home. The class didn't care. They just clapped. Several other kids were called to read their stories and about 4 of them were just like Marthe. They had soft voices only they could hear.

But everyone was happy to see his/her 'publication'. They were talented children; their stories were incredible and very creative. I looked around the room and observed each child. I thought, "Today I'm looking at the writers, illustrators, publishers and graphic artists of the future."

It reminded me of my own goal at 40. I'm way behind. :)