james tolosa,
News Feature: Relooking at children’s stories with Mrs. Kristine Canon
EXHIBITION. Mrs. Kristine Canon, together with the other participants of the seminar, showcases some of her most famous children stories. Photo credits: James Tolosa
A childlike mind is needed for writing children's stories.
Bearing that thought in mind, Mrs. Kristine Canon shared her experiences as an author of children’s stories in a seminar held in Room 205B of the UP Diliman College of Education (UP CoE) last September 19.
The symposium is in line with the UP CoE’s series of seminars entitled Weavers of Magic, with the theme Para Mamulat, Bumuklat ng Aklat. Here, Mrs. Canon discussed the need to cultivate a love for reading in children.
Passion for writing discovered through children
Mrs. Canon first narrated how she got into writing. When she was a kid, she would watch television and play outside. That routine would continue until she found hidden children’s books inside her school library one day. Eventually, reading short stories after classes became her pastime.
As she grew up, she was able to nurture a love for reading. When she became a parent, she heard more stories of young people. She talked to her sons, daughters, and relatives more frequently. Admiring the ideas conveyed by children she listened to, she was motivated to be like the authors of the books she devoured during her youth.
Successful life as a writer of children’s books
After Mrs. Canon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Reading Education from the UP CoE, she started her career as an author. Her first short story Bakit Matagal ang Sundo Ko? was released in 2001.
In this book, a girl was initially anxious about the late arrival of her mother. Instead of fretting, she patiently waited by preoccupying herself with fanciful thoughts. This short story won the Grand Prize for both PBBY-Salanga Writer and Illustrator a few months after its publication.
As Mrs. Canon bagged those two awards, she continued releasing short stories. She partnered with local book companies such as Adarna House, Anvil Publishing, and Vibal Publishing. To date, she has written eight children’s books such as Naaay! Taay! which instills independent decision-making skills and Pahingi Po which teaches readers table manners and wise food-eating.
However, Mrs. Canon did not restrict the themes of her books to traditional topics only. In fact, she explored new topics such as machines in Sakay Na!, where characters expressed their fascination of cars, jeepneys, and other transportation vehicles. She also tried to discuss how medicines work in Asa at Agha, where young doctors worked together to cure diseases.
According to her, “Some of [my] books have been converted to “big” books already… they are taught in public schools today, particularly to enhance the bilingualism of Filipinos.”
Not just an author of children’s stories
Mrs. Canon does not only write short stories. She once collaborated with selected elementary students in Mga Tanod in Kalinaw, a play about the merging of four different worlds. She also experimented on spoken poetry in Laro Tayo? dedicated to her youngest son who is “often left inside the house”.
Mrs. Canon is currently a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Management of the De La Salle University (DLSU). She is also a director of the Creative Learning Paths School, a K-12 educational institution that “advocates for progressive education of children”.
Child-friendly approach to children’s stories
Mrs. Canon emphasized the importance of interaction with young people in plot development and characterization of stories. According to her, storytelling enhances their imagination and love for literature. In addition, listening to what children want is “helpful” in writing stories that are for that age group itself.
She added that authors need to be “fluid” in story writing. This is because if they settle on particular themes, they will not realize the variety of topics literature has. Furthermore, having an open mind encourages inclusion of intended audience groups. This is “needed” in the current society, where “people have become more accepting of the differences of others”.
As Mrs. Canon concluded the seminar, she advised, “If you want inspiration with writing, you need to engage with children.” //by James Tolosa
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