Tabon Girl / Batang Tabon

Tabon Girl/ Batang Tabon
by:Irene Carolina A. Sarmiento
Illustrated by: Manix Abrera
Anvil Publishing Inc. Manila
@2012

     "Tabon Girl” by Irene Carolina A. Sarmiento is an educational and fun book that can delight young children. It is an easy to read book that makes the learning of the history of the “Tabon Cave” fun and interesting. The illustrator did an amazing job on the drawings in the book. It uses English as well as Filipino texts and contains guide questions for storytelling and classroom use. The story is about a little girl called “Mina” that thinks that their garden is one of the Tabon caves, where the tabon man, one of the oldest Homo sapiens in the Philippines was found. This is a story about Mina being an archeologist and she tries to unearth the pieces of her discovery. The book contains elements of adventure and imagination. 

   Tabon Girl is written by Irene Carolina Sarmiento she is an occupational therapist who works with children with special needs. Her first book, "Spinning" (Anvil 2009), is about a little boy with autism. As an author, her stories won awards from the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Foundation, Philippines Free Press, and Philippine Graphic/ Fiction Awards. The illustrator Manix Abrera graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines- Diliman. His comic strip "Kikomachine" is shown in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and appears weekly on GMA News Online. He also has a silent comic/ graphic novel titled "12". He is also known to be a very kind person. 

   My favorite part is where Mina’s mother told her about her love in dolls during her childhood. Her mother told her that she tries so hard to keep Mina clean and neat like a doll, but she fails to do so because of Mina’s love in exploring. Mina told her mom “I am not a doll, Mama.” I do try to behave but I’m still an archeologist. Dirt is part of my job.”  This part was my favorite because it serves as a reminder to grownups that children’s dreams needs to be nurtured. The Values in the book was really easy to understand. 

  I truly recommend this book to children and even parents to read this book because it emphasizes important values. The illustration was good, it's colorful and striking. The book used two languages Filipino and English, it can help children understand and help children to understand more the book. The book is really great it has a good content and shows so many values for kids and parents. Children can broaden their imagination and knowledge in Archaeology. Another good thing is that the book has other series. The book can really help the child's imagination, knowledge and moral values in their life. 

I am Abigail A. Amorsolo, 17 years old, First Year BS Child Development and Education in Miriam College.