Magtagalog tayo!

Buko Books is committed to helping Filipino children abroad to immerse in Filipino language and culture with the aim to learn Tagalog.

Using relatable experiences and dialogue-based story-telling, our first book; Saan ka, Ligaya? encourages the carer and child to read aloud together in Tagalog. The vocabulary is optimised to useful essentials and simple words.

Tagalog lang po!

Tagalog only, please!

The English translation features only at the back of the book. This is deliberate because including English translation into the pages weakens the story flow and makes it tempting for an English-dominant speaking family to ignore the unfamiliar Tagalog words. The readers will more strongly engage in Tagalog and eventually memorise the text. But don’t worry, along with the English translation is an illustrated glossary at the back!

Paulit Ulit

Again and Again

Repetition is used to aid memory and enhance the rhythm of the dialogue. The melody of Tagalog comes out best when repeated.

Saan, Sino at Ano?

Where, Who and What?

Familiarising children to question words helps them form a perception of the world via the language and encourages them to respond in the same.

Gutom ka na ba?

Are you hungry now?

Learning a language within a cultural context is vital as it connects the reader with the world the language it belongs in. Food plays a common and important role in this connection, in the same way ex-pats use food to remember their home countries. Primarily aimed at 0-4, this age group has just embarked on their exploration of new textures and flavours. Evoking their imagination with Pinoy produce completes their experience of Tagalog.

Matibay ito.