Our Nipa Hut: A Story in the Philippines

by Rachell Abalos (Author) Gabriela Larios (Illustrator)

Our Nipa Hut: A Story in the Philippines
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Yelena and Papa take care of their traditional Filipino dwelling - their nipa hut - and it takes care of them. But when a tropical storm roars towards the Philippines, their preparation will be put to the test.

Gripping narrative will keep young readers glued to the pages as Yelena, Papa and the nipa hut work together as a family to withstand the storm.

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Paperback
$9.99

Kirkus

A vibrant tribute to a beloved Filipino home,

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 1-3—As Yelena Mendoza's father likes to say, "The nipa hut is family too." As they check and maintain their family's small house on stilts, Yelena agrees that the hut shelters and cares for them. Then a bagyo or storm approaches, and their bamboo hut sways and flinches in the strong winds and rain. The storm lasts for hours, but once again, their hut survives with only slight damage. The fable like story emphasizes the bonds of family and community, as neighbors come together under rainbow skies. Nipa huts, still found in rural Philippine communities, use readily available materials, such as bamboo and nipa palm leaves, the latter used for the roof. Eye-catching folk art, in vibrant colors, depicts a lush tropical setting filled with multi-colored birds, fish, and other animals; the family and neighbors have an array of skin tones and body sizes, and Papa Mendoza is shown using a simple prosthetic leg. Back matter focuses on the construction, history, and types of nipa huts, stressing their enduring cultural significance. It also offers factoids about the Philippines, including a map and a smattering of Tagalog words. VERDICT This well-crafted overview is not only a heartening story, but a good choice for STEM and multicultural studies.—Marilyn Taniguchi

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes




Rachell Abalos
Rachell Abalos remembers her childhood in the Philippines, taking naps, eating ice buko, and smelling the fish frying outside her grandmother's house. She currently lives in Southern California, USA, with her husband and two kids, where she writes stories about her Filipino culture. Our Nipa Hut is her debut picture book.

Gabriela Larios grew up in El Salvador, surrounded by volcanoes, Mexican ceramics and tropical flowers grown by her mother, a floral designer. In 2007, thanks to an EU scholarship, she received her Masters from Camberwell College of Arts in London, UK, where she has been living ever since with her family. Gabriela approaches every project as a new adventure and draws inspiration for her work both from El Salvador and England.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781646865017
Lexile Measure
560
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Barefoot Books
Publication date
February 06, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV030020 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Asia
JUV029020 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | Weather
JUV073000 - Juvenile Fiction | Architecture
Library of Congress categories
Fiction
Dwellings
Juvenile works
Children's stories
Philippines
Huts

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