Oh how I love to read books about maintaining an attitude of gratitude.
Tight Times, written by Jeanette Patindol and illustrated by Srgio T. Bumatay III, is one of those materials that I will never get tired of reading.
The following are the reasons:
1. Message applies to all
This book is in two languages, English and Filipino, but I took the liberty of translating the story in Sinugbuanong Binisaya because I used this as a material, which I read to mothers and grandmothers, during a talk in Shopwise. The message applies to all: young or old; children or adults; employed or unemployed. It was written with humility and hope and the author was able to perfectly blend in these two values in a book that delves on the topic that most Filipinos can relate to.
2. Creative illustrations
In a storytelling session in 2011, an 11-year-old child once asked me why the characters of the stories were illustrated as rats. I cannot remember my exact explanation. I think I told him that the artist wanted the story to be more interesting so the rats took centerstage in this storybook. I love how Mr. Bumatay creatively utilized the rats in depicting the lives of humans and how these can be related to gratitude during tight times. I do not think it will be appropriate to have human figures in the story. It will be awkward.
3. Perfect material for teaching good values
I learned in high school that values are caught, not taught. But these days, I realized that it is important to consciously teach children good moral values. You cannot just let them “catch” values. There needs to be a conscious and deliberate, yet non-agressive, efforf to impart valuable lessons to children.
I will read this story again on July 28 when I give a talk to millenials on the importance of humility and gratitude when taking on leadership roles.
Thank you for reading! Don’t forget to share this post if you know someone who can benefit from it.
