Ode to a Young Reader named in National Children’s Book Awards Best Reads list
Photo courtesy: National Book Development Board
Pasay City—The National Book Development Board and the Philippine Board on Books for Young Children today recognized the awardees of the 9th National Children’s Book Awards held in the 2026 Manila International Book Fair held in SMX Convention Center. Ode to a Young Reader, a CANVAS book published in 2025, is listed in the Best Reads category.
The National Children’s Book Awards recognizes distinguished children’s and young adult literature published in the past two years. Ode to a Young Reader is one of three titles named Best Reads.
Ode to a Young Reader features poetry by Gigo Alampay and artworks by Roel Obemio, Jojo Barja, Mark Arcamo, Sarah Geneblazo, Daniel Tayona, Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Marcel Antonio, Liza Flores, Mark Jeffrey 'Mr. S' Santos, Renato Habulan, Lui Mandig, Studio 1616, Liv Vinluan, Don Salubayba, Jeho Bitancor, Pacena, Johanna Helmuth, Jim Orencio, Dante Lerma, National Artist Benedicto BenCab' Cabrera, Mimi Tecson, CJ Tanedo, Emmanuel Garibay, Joy Mallari, June Digan, Michael Cacnio, Jon Jaylo, and Christopher Yap.
The book features a poem which can be read in two ways—from the first page to the last, or from the last page to the first. Each line is accompanied by an artwork from a collection that calls Tumba-Tumba Children's Museum of Philippine Art, our children's museum, home.
On a social media post published, the award-giving body praised the book, saying:
“Ode to a Young Reader offers many things magical-worlds of the unknown, of the imposible made possible, of flights of fancy that know no boundaries.
“It is an open invitation to the reader to bury one's self in words, words that unravel untold pleasures, adventuring, solace, often in the most unexpected places. It is an offering for children, often the most discriminating of audiences who deserve only the very best. The universality of the simple exhortation on every page even makes it possible to read the book from beginning to end or from the last page to the first, with nothing lost in such a reversal. For no matter how the book is approached, the message endures.
“Along with the lyrical words to lure, entice, engage the reader towards discovery, every page is rich with memorable artworks that expose the young to various themes and genres of outstanding art that are dramatic and stirring.
“A novel experience in itself. In a sense, the medium is the message. The remarkably excellent book production elevates the message that books are the ultimate rich resource for discovery and reveals a deep respect for the young reader. This is the legacy every grownup earnestly desires for every child.”
Gigo Alampay, book writer and Executive Director of CANVAS, received the award together with the artists. “I’d like to thank all the artists who participated…I did want to recognize one of them, the late Don Salubayba, who passed away early in the history of CANVAS. It’s his birthday today, so happy birthday up there,” he ended the speech gesturing upward.
Artworks from Ode to a Young Reader are on display at Galleries XXV - XXVI (4th floor) of the National Museum of Fine Arts.
We thank the National Book Development Board and the Philippine Board on Books for Young People for this recognition!
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A non-profit that works with the creative community to promote literacy and explore national identity, CANVAS publishes award-winning children's stories and donates the books to benefit children in public schools and poor communities throughout the Philippines. Its One Million Books Campaign promotes independent reading and creative thinking in Filipino children, while also exposing them to the best of contemporary Filipino art and literature. Twenty Years of Art and Stories details the organization’s work, from art exhibitions, book publishing and distribution, to partnerships CANVAS has had in the past two decades.
