By Iggy Ipis

YEHEY! This is my most favorite of all weeks! On Tuesday, July 20, Metro Manila celebrates National Children's Book Day! I can't wait to check out the children's book festival at the National Library. At least, I won't have to travel all over Manila to browse through the newest children's books by Filipino authors. The books will be right there, waiting for me at the National Library! There will be so many activities over at that place that I'm thinking of camping out there for a whole week.

But why is there a National Children's Book Day anyway? I heard the editor of Junior Inquirer talking with the president of the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, children's book illustrator Beaulah Taguiwalo and this is what I learned:

l The International Children's Book Day is celebrated every April 2, the birthday of the famous writer for children Hans Christian Andersen.

l Children's Book Day here in the Philippines is celebrated every third Tuesday of July.

l The date commemorates the publication of Jose Rizal's retelling of the fable "The Monkey and the Tortoise" in the July 1889 issue of "Trubner's Oriental Record" in London.

l This is the 16th National Children's Book Day in the Philippines.

l Not many people know about National Children's Book Day and it is hardly celebrated in schools.

That's too bad, because there are so many fun activities scheduled this week (See calendar on this page). Besides, I heard PBBY vice president Dr. Luis Gatmaitan say that Children's Book Day was thought of because "we would like kids to know that we care about what they read." Awwwww.

But if YOU can't join the fun at the National Library, here are some nifty ideas to celebrate the day with the rest of us:

l Write and illustrate your own book and let your family, friends and classmates read it. Who knows, you might become a famous children's book author or illustrator someday. It's always good to start early.

l List all the titles and authors of all the children's books that you own, then play "library" with your friends. Make your own library cards and share your books with the neighborhood.

l Rent out your comics collection. But don't overcharge!

l Support Filipino children's book authors and illustrators. Buy five of their books from your nearest bookstore.

l Ask your Tatay or Nanay to read you a story tonight. Better yet, why don't you read a story to your younger brothers and sisters.

l Buy two children's books. Then keep one and give the other away to a child who probably doesn't own his own children's books.