Managing a multi-lingual household means reading books in different languages. Storybooks in the Binisayang Sugbuanon language are mainstays in our bookshelves at home. 
One of my favorites is the big book version of “Ikaw Ba Ang Akong Inahan?” This is the Binisayang Sugbuanon version of “Kayo Ba Ang Nanay Ko?” that is written by Rodolfo Desuasido and illustrated by Reynaldo Tiongson. It was published by Adarna House. I got this big book for only Php 100 during the Manila International Book Fair last year.
One egg remained unhatched as the Mother Duck and her six ducklings left the nest. Mommy and siblings were not around when the last duckling finally came out of the egg. The entire book is a visual adventure of the duckling’s journey in finding its mother. The duckling met a hen (chicken), a turkey, a peacock, a quail, a goose, and a heron until it heard a familiar sound.
The story is reminiscent of P.D. Eastman’s “Are You My Mother?” which was published in June 1960.
Ikaw Ba Ang Akong Inahan is a simple story that is great for toddler story time. While I have often said that the big book is great for young children, between the ages of 18 months and three years old, I have also seen that the big book also works with older children. In a Father’s Day storytelling in Barangay Ward 3 in the town of Minglanilla last June 16, I utilized this book as a prelude to “Meet My Super Dad” (written by Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan), which was read by Police Chief Inspector Verniño Noserale, to more than 20 children.
We had so much fun! I had so much fun! I have not read that story to older children with so much enthusiasm! I let them guess which of the animals that the duckling met was the duckling’s mother — and my goodness, how I enjoyed that session.
Aside from learning the vernacular terms of each of the winged animal, the book is also a great material for a discussion in Science class to distinguish one animal from the other. For younger children, a lesson on counting can be inserted. Make sure to sing a duck-inspired song before and after the reading of this book. Trust me, it will add up to the fun!
Do you have any more “duck book” in mind?
