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Ang Ikaklit Sa Aming Hardin = Ikaklit in Our Garden
Sa mahigit tatlong dekada ng modernong panitikang pambata sa Pilipinas, ngayon lamang nagkaroon ng kapangahasang talakayin ang mapagkandiling ugnayan ng magkatipang lesbiyana at ang hangad nilang bumuo ng pamilya. Kaparat-dapat ipagdiwang ito sa kapangyarihang makapagmulat. Hardin ang pangunahing simbolo ng aklat—isang santuwaryo at espasyong maghihilom sa mga sugatang damdamin. Ito rin ang pangunahing birtud ng aklat—ang itaguyod ang karapatang pantao, pagmamahal, at pag-unawa. Sa pagsasanib ng dalawang talento nina Bernadette Villanueva Neri at CJ de Silva, hinahangad ko ang pamumulaklak ng pinunla nilang bagong binhi sa landasin ng panitikan para sa bata.
Eugene Y. Evasco, PhD
Presidente, Pilandokan: National Research Society for Children's Literature
Eugene Y. Evasco, PhD
Presidente, Pilandokan: National Research Society for Children's Literature
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
21 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
October 29, 2020
Ang ganda ng mensahe.
March 2, 2013
I am currently reading several local children's books suitable for live storytelling. This is because our book club here on Goodreads called Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books will hold a storytelling session with less-fortunate children as our audience at The Museo Pambata (Children's Museum) on May 25, 2013. We will also serve the children some food and leave this book, among many other titles, with them. So I need to know which books are good for storytelling for me to include them in the poll.
Ikaklit is the Bondoc term for sunflower. This book won the Grand Prize for Children's Book category for the 2006 Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. That and the pictures of the four pretty ladies (the writer, illustrator, translator and layout artist) at the inside back cover of the book made me buy and read this book today, 2nd of March 2013.
Entertaining story?
For me, yes. But, due to sensitive topic, maybe not for children.
Moral lesson?
Definitely. For all of us to understand that families come in different forms. Not all of us have been raised in a home with a father, a mother and siblings. In the story, Ikaklit is being raised by two lesbians.
Logic?
Oh yes. I just thought that maybe a little background story on the whereabouts of Ikaklit's real father would have made her character more substance.
Illustrations?
Big fail. The mothers look like thin and slim Latin American models when the Bondoc people are normally not too tall and with big built.
Because of its sensitive subject, this book, for me, is a good title to read on a one-on-one setting and not on a group live storytelling.
Ikaklit is the Bondoc term for sunflower. This book won the Grand Prize for Children's Book category for the 2006 Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. That and the pictures of the four pretty ladies (the writer, illustrator, translator and layout artist) at the inside back cover of the book made me buy and read this book today, 2nd of March 2013.
Entertaining story?
For me, yes. But, due to sensitive topic, maybe not for children.
Moral lesson?
Definitely. For all of us to understand that families come in different forms. Not all of us have been raised in a home with a father, a mother and siblings. In the story, Ikaklit is being raised by two lesbians.
Logic?
Oh yes. I just thought that maybe a little background story on the whereabouts of Ikaklit's real father would have made her character more substance.
Illustrations?
Big fail. The mothers look like thin and slim Latin American models when the Bondoc people are normally not too tall and with big built.
Because of its sensitive subject, this book, for me, is a good title to read on a one-on-one setting and not on a group live storytelling.
March 3, 2014
Children can be cruel sometimes about things that they don't understand.
Ang Ikaklit Sa Aming Hardin (Ikaklit in Our Garden) by Bernadette Villanueva Neri and CJ de Silva is about a child who was being bullied regularly by her classmates for not having a father and for having two mothers instead. She also has friends like Sheryl who also got bullied for not knowing who her parents were.
This story kind of struck a chord in me because 1) I was practically an orphan. No, I didn't get bullied when I was growing up. Do my classmates gossip about me? No, I don't know for certain, but while the people do love to gossip sometimes, our little town was full of religious people. It's still hard not having parents though. Even if you perfected exams and quizzes, you're still at the bottom of the honor roll because you didn't have parents who donate stuff to school.
2) and because the child loved planting. Granted, she planted flowers while I practically plant everything I could get my hands on: corn, tomato, papaya, santol, atis, ampalaya, peanuts, camote, you get the drift...
I started planting when I was seven... as a kid, the first thing that I would do everyday after waking up was go visit my plants and water them. Then I will visit them again before it gets dark. It was fun. :)
My rating is 5/5 because: 1) this book encourages children to plant; and because 2) it touches several societal issues such as that of having parents of the same gender and the hardships that children like Ikaklit's friends were facing -- the ones who didn't have a father (Pati), who didn't know her parents (Sheryl), etc.; and lastly because, 3) the art is awesome! :)
Ang Ikaklit Sa Aming Hardin (Ikaklit in Our Garden) by Bernadette Villanueva Neri and CJ de Silva is about a child who was being bullied regularly by her classmates for not having a father and for having two mothers instead. She also has friends like Sheryl who also got bullied for not knowing who her parents were.
This story kind of struck a chord in me because 1) I was practically an orphan. No, I didn't get bullied when I was growing up. Do my classmates gossip about me? No, I don't know for certain, but while the people do love to gossip sometimes, our little town was full of religious people. It's still hard not having parents though. Even if you perfected exams and quizzes, you're still at the bottom of the honor roll because you didn't have parents who donate stuff to school.
2) and because the child loved planting. Granted, she planted flowers while I practically plant everything I could get my hands on: corn, tomato, papaya, santol, atis, ampalaya, peanuts, camote, you get the drift...
I started planting when I was seven... as a kid, the first thing that I would do everyday after waking up was go visit my plants and water them. Then I will visit them again before it gets dark. It was fun. :)
My rating is 5/5 because: 1) this book encourages children to plant; and because 2) it touches several societal issues such as that of having parents of the same gender and the hardships that children like Ikaklit's friends were facing -- the ones who didn't have a father (Pati), who didn't know her parents (Sheryl), etc.; and lastly because, 3) the art is awesome! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2014
More than the issue of gender and society, this book of few pages will teach us the real definition of home.
Posted a full review here
Posted a full review here
March 3, 2014
Marami nang nagawang librong pambata sa Pilipinas ngunit bukod-tangi ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin sapagka't tinatalakay nito ang isang bagay na kinukunsiderang "taboo" o bawal ng nakararami, lalo na kung librong pambata ang pinaguusapan: Ang pagkakaroon ng dalawang nanay.
Maganda ang pagkakasulat ng librong ito. Napakatoo dahil ipinakita ang maaaring maranasan ng bata sa ganitong sitwasyon, pero sa kabilang banda ay ipinakita rin na kahit ano pa ang isipin ng iba, normal pa rin ang ganitong sitwasyon. Yan ay dahil ang bawat pamilya, buo man o hindi, may magulang man na magkaiba ang kasarian o wala, ay may kanya-kanyang pinagdadaanan, kaya't hindi nararapat na husgahan ang isang tao base sa kung ano ang tingin ng nakararami na tama, ngunit sa kung anong klaseng tao sya.
Ipinapakita rin ng librong ito na maaaring mabuhay ng normal ang isang bata na lumaki sa isang di-kumbensyunal na pamilya. Kung puno ng pagmamahal ang isang tahanan ay siguradong lalaki ng masaya at lalaki ng tama ang isang bata. Kailangan lamang ipaliwanang ng mga magulang ang kanilang sitwasyon at kailangan palakihin ang bata na puno ng pagmamahal at pang-unawa.
Nakatulong rin ng malaki ang mga larawan sa librong ito upang gawing mas makabuluhan at mas nakakaenganyong basahin ito. Ang paglalarawan sa mga magulang ni Ikaklit ay tamang tama upang ipakita na ang iniisip mong imahe ng isang "tomboy" ay mali, at maaari pa ring ipakita ng isang tao ang kanyang pagiging katangi-tanging indibidwal, ano pa man ang kasarian o sekswalidad niya. Napakamakulay at napakaganda ng mga larawan dito kung kaya't siguradong matutuwa ang mga mababasa, at mabubuksan ang kanilang puso sa mga ganitong usapin.
Ma-eenganyo rin ang mambabasa na magpunta sa Baguio dahil sa paglalarawan sa nasabing lugar sa librong ito. Mula sa pagkain at iba't ibang tanawin, at sa mga napakagandang bulaklak, talagang maeenganyo ang mambabasa.
Karapat-dapat bang ipabasa ito sa mga bata? Oo, dahil habang maaga ay kailangan nilang matutunan na nararapat na irespeto ang iba't ibang klase ng tao, at iba't ibang klase ng pamilya. Habang maaga ay dapat mamulat ang mga kabataan sa mga ganitong isyu, at kung paano ito dapat kaharapin. Dahil tayo ay nabubuhay na sa makabagong mundo kung kaya't nararapat rin na mas maging bukas ang ating isipan sa mga ganitong bagay.
Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin ay maituturing na isang magandang ebolusyon sa larangan ng literatura. Ipinapamalas nito na may mga Pilipinong handang tumanggap sa katotohanan na di lahat ng pamilya ay pare-pareho, at ninanais nito na mabuksan pa ang isipan ng mas maraming Pilipino sa mga ganitong usapin. Upang maging malaya ang isang bansa at ang mga tao nito, nararapat lang na maging bukas ang ating isipan, at matuto tayong tanggapin ang isa't isa sa kung ano at sino pa man tayo.
Maganda ang pagkakasulat ng librong ito. Napakatoo dahil ipinakita ang maaaring maranasan ng bata sa ganitong sitwasyon, pero sa kabilang banda ay ipinakita rin na kahit ano pa ang isipin ng iba, normal pa rin ang ganitong sitwasyon. Yan ay dahil ang bawat pamilya, buo man o hindi, may magulang man na magkaiba ang kasarian o wala, ay may kanya-kanyang pinagdadaanan, kaya't hindi nararapat na husgahan ang isang tao base sa kung ano ang tingin ng nakararami na tama, ngunit sa kung anong klaseng tao sya.
Ipinapakita rin ng librong ito na maaaring mabuhay ng normal ang isang bata na lumaki sa isang di-kumbensyunal na pamilya. Kung puno ng pagmamahal ang isang tahanan ay siguradong lalaki ng masaya at lalaki ng tama ang isang bata. Kailangan lamang ipaliwanang ng mga magulang ang kanilang sitwasyon at kailangan palakihin ang bata na puno ng pagmamahal at pang-unawa.
Nakatulong rin ng malaki ang mga larawan sa librong ito upang gawing mas makabuluhan at mas nakakaenganyong basahin ito. Ang paglalarawan sa mga magulang ni Ikaklit ay tamang tama upang ipakita na ang iniisip mong imahe ng isang "tomboy" ay mali, at maaari pa ring ipakita ng isang tao ang kanyang pagiging katangi-tanging indibidwal, ano pa man ang kasarian o sekswalidad niya. Napakamakulay at napakaganda ng mga larawan dito kung kaya't siguradong matutuwa ang mga mababasa, at mabubuksan ang kanilang puso sa mga ganitong usapin.
Ma-eenganyo rin ang mambabasa na magpunta sa Baguio dahil sa paglalarawan sa nasabing lugar sa librong ito. Mula sa pagkain at iba't ibang tanawin, at sa mga napakagandang bulaklak, talagang maeenganyo ang mambabasa.
Karapat-dapat bang ipabasa ito sa mga bata? Oo, dahil habang maaga ay kailangan nilang matutunan na nararapat na irespeto ang iba't ibang klase ng tao, at iba't ibang klase ng pamilya. Habang maaga ay dapat mamulat ang mga kabataan sa mga ganitong isyu, at kung paano ito dapat kaharapin. Dahil tayo ay nabubuhay na sa makabagong mundo kung kaya't nararapat rin na mas maging bukas ang ating isipan sa mga ganitong bagay.
Ang Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin ay maituturing na isang magandang ebolusyon sa larangan ng literatura. Ipinapamalas nito na may mga Pilipinong handang tumanggap sa katotohanan na di lahat ng pamilya ay pare-pareho, at ninanais nito na mabuksan pa ang isipan ng mas maraming Pilipino sa mga ganitong usapin. Upang maging malaya ang isang bansa at ang mga tao nito, nararapat lang na maging bukas ang ating isipan, at matuto tayong tanggapin ang isa't isa sa kung ano at sino pa man tayo.
November 14, 2019
This book done an excellent job in delivering and explaining a sensitive topic to the children. This book is very good in educating the children regarding societal norms of a family. The story touched the innocence of a kid on what is a "normal" family. The symbolism of "Ikaklit" is very meaningful. I highly recommend this book to teachers, librarians, and parents when it comes to discussing sensitive topic to children.
April 10, 2014
Natutunan ko na hindi kailangan ng kumpletong pamilya para lang maging masaya sa piling ng iyong dalawang nanay o di kaya iisa lang ang nanay at wala nang tatay o kaya naman iisang tatay na wala nang nanay at yung ibang bata naman ay ulila na pero masaya parinsila sa piling ng mga nag aalaga sa kanila .
February 6, 2017
Awwww. My gay heart.
February 26, 2018
NGEK UMIYAK AKO HUHUHUHUHUHU
March 12, 2014
Simple yet timely and engaging – Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin is perfect as a tool to teach children about the value of family, no matter how different it is from the common standard.
When I got invited to participate in the blog tour for Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin, I thought it would be just another typical children’s picture book. Since I have a seven-year old younger brother, I immediately agreed. Little did I know what a gem would it be to read Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin!
The storyline and prose was simple, which is perfect for young readers. My younger brother had no trouble following the Filipino texts, and if he had something to clarify, he would turn to read the English translations included in the book. I really appreciate the English translations because foreign readers would also be able to understand the message which the book conveys. Also, personally, I’m not so good with Filipino. This stems largely due to the fact that I am from Iloilo. The dialect here is different, and the medium of instruction is English. There is hardly any need to speak Filipino, so as much as I hate to admit it, some Filipino words baffle me. This is why when I was reading the book, the English translations were really helpful.
As for the subject of the story, as I’ve said, I find it really timely. And I agree with the message of the story: there is a need for a new definition for the word ‘family’. Considering the emergence of same-sex relationships, not all families are composed of the typical father, mother and children anymore. Besides, no matter how much most people ridicule same-sex relationships, the fact is that they exist, and they are capable of love just as much as any person.
Another thing I really appreciate about the story is the parallelism of a family and a flower garden. It doesn’t really matter who planted the seeds, what matters is who took time and effort to groom, nurture and love the plants and flowers. This message was really powerful and it resonated with me when I was reading the story.
The pictures were really attractive, too. They were colorful and eye-catching, and pretty! My brother and I couldn’t stop looking at the pictures even after we finished reading. When I found out that the illustrator was CJ De Silva, I wasn’t surprised. I recognized here from the milk advertisement from the 90’s, and I found it really nice that she still paints.
All in all, Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin is a gem. It’s both educational and gender-sensitive, and it’s perfect for teaching children about the value of family.
When I got invited to participate in the blog tour for Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin, I thought it would be just another typical children’s picture book. Since I have a seven-year old younger brother, I immediately agreed. Little did I know what a gem would it be to read Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin!
The storyline and prose was simple, which is perfect for young readers. My younger brother had no trouble following the Filipino texts, and if he had something to clarify, he would turn to read the English translations included in the book. I really appreciate the English translations because foreign readers would also be able to understand the message which the book conveys. Also, personally, I’m not so good with Filipino. This stems largely due to the fact that I am from Iloilo. The dialect here is different, and the medium of instruction is English. There is hardly any need to speak Filipino, so as much as I hate to admit it, some Filipino words baffle me. This is why when I was reading the book, the English translations were really helpful.
As for the subject of the story, as I’ve said, I find it really timely. And I agree with the message of the story: there is a need for a new definition for the word ‘family’. Considering the emergence of same-sex relationships, not all families are composed of the typical father, mother and children anymore. Besides, no matter how much most people ridicule same-sex relationships, the fact is that they exist, and they are capable of love just as much as any person.
Another thing I really appreciate about the story is the parallelism of a family and a flower garden. It doesn’t really matter who planted the seeds, what matters is who took time and effort to groom, nurture and love the plants and flowers. This message was really powerful and it resonated with me when I was reading the story.
The pictures were really attractive, too. They were colorful and eye-catching, and pretty! My brother and I couldn’t stop looking at the pictures even after we finished reading. When I found out that the illustrator was CJ De Silva, I wasn’t surprised. I recognized here from the milk advertisement from the 90’s, and I found it really nice that she still paints.
All in all, Ikaklit sa Aming Hardin is a gem. It’s both educational and gender-sensitive, and it’s perfect for teaching children about the value of family.
August 31, 2021
Ginagamit kong teksto at/o halimbawa sa mga klase ko sa panitikan at malikhaing pagsulat ang librong ito. Ang husay ng pagkagamit sa pag-aalaga sa ikaklit bilang talinghaga ng pagpapalaki sa bata.
Mahalaga ang ganitong kuwentong pambata: naglalayong isulong ang pagkakapantay-pantay ng kasarian.
Mahalaga ang ganitong kuwentong pambata: naglalayong isulong ang pagkakapantay-pantay ng kasarian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
9/10 would do the author
March 7, 2014
Wonderful book! I love it! Review to follow. :)
June 16, 2015
NICE AND GREAT!!
January 26, 2022
I will read this to my kids!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews