Addressing literacy gaps requires a stronger connection between effective reading instruction and access to books that help children develop the skills and interest to read.
This was the focus of Lampara Books’ participation in the 2nd International Literacy Conference on the Science of Reading and Learning, held August 21 to 23 in the City of Naga, Camarines Sur, under the theme “Bridging Gaps in Literacy Education: Science of Reading and Learning for an Inclusive Future.”
Lampara Books was represented at the conference by Segundo D. Matias Jr., President of Lampara Books and Precious Pages Corporation, and author-educators Victor A. Villanueva, Daisy Jane Calado and Eugene Y. Evasco, who shared perspectives on literacy, reading instruction, children’s literature, and storytelling.
For Matias, strengthening literacy is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the classroom. While teachers play a critical role in developing children’s reading abilities, writers and publishers can also contribute by creating books that make reading meaningful and encourage children to keep reading.
“Literacy is a shared responsibility. Teachers are at the heart of helping children become readers, but writers and publishers also have a role in providing stories and books that can encourage children to read and continue learning,” Matias said.
He emphasized that access to stories can help children see reading not simply as a requirement, but as an opportunity to learn, imagine, and engage with the world around them.
“Reading gives children access to knowledge and imagination. When we give them the right support and meaningful stories, we give them more reasons to read and keep learning,” he added.
Matias also spoke about the importance of paying attention to what children need and avoiding assumptions about what they can understand or enjoy. Rather than limiting children’s books to particular subjects, he believes publishers should remain responsive to a changing world and trust young readers’ capabilities.
“Kung ano ang kailangan ng bata, iyon ang dapat na isulat. Maging mapagmatyag at huwag i-underestimate ang kakayahan ng bata,” he said.
His own experience as a young reader shaped this perspective. Matias recalled learning to read through comics, which were discouraged when he was growing up. Later, seeing the children’s books available at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair sparked what he described as a “hunger” to make more books available to children, a drive that continues to influence his work as a publisher.
Likewise, the importance of combining effective reading instruction with meaningful literature was reflected in the conference sessions led by the team. Calado discussed beginning reading strategies in “Small Groups, Big Reading Gains: Beginning Reading with Let’s Read and Magbasa Tayo!” while Villanueva explored reading remediation through “From Sounds to Stories: Reading Remediation through Phonics, Comprehension, and Children’s Literature.”
On the final day, Matias and Evasco joined the “Literacy Champions Panel: Creating Stories, Building Readers,” which examined the role of stories and children’s literature in developing readers and nurturing a lasting culture of reading.
The enthusiasm continued beyond the conference sessions, as participants gathered at the Lampara Books booth for a book signing with the authors. The excitement was especially evident whenever Matias spoke about Lampara Books’ roots in Precious Pages Corporation and the enduring popularity of Precious Hearts Romances, drawing spontaneous reactions from participants who grew up reading the titles. The response offered a glimpse into the lasting influence of Filipino reading culture and the personal connection readers form with stories and authors.
Through its participation, Lampara Books continues to support conversations and initiatives that place reading and children’s access to literature at the center of efforts to strengthen literacy.
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Precious Pages
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