HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The University of Guam Press recently announced that it will be launching a children’s book series.
UOG Press will host a launch event to introduce the Kantan CHamoru children’s books series to the community from 2:30 through 5 p.m. Saturday at the main pavilion of CHamoru Village in Hågatña.
The goal of the series is to promote the CHamoru language and culture. The program’s publicist, Via De Fant, Told the Guam Daily Post the program gained inspiration through the discovery that some American songs had been adapted into books that were highly appealing to children. Consequently, the program sought to replicate this success within the local community.
Although the program has published numerous other children’s books, De Fant said “this is the first of its kind” since it is the first children’s book to feature both music and illustrations.
This project began two years ago and was made possible by funding from the Office of the Governor under the Education Stabilization Fund.
The graphic artists’ perception led to the development of the illustrations. According to De Fant, the only modifications that may have been made were to ensure the words or lyrics adhered to the orthography.
“It really was just based on what the illustrators, our editors, and writers felt the book was trying to convey,” she added. “What images they wanted to pull out were really based on the values of Chamorro culture, the traditions and again, whatever the lyrics were talking about.”
De Fant also noted that local musician Johnny Sablan collaborated with the program’s editors and project manager to make sure the book was packaged in the way that best represents the song.
“These books reintroduce long-beloved songs to young readers, but they also introduce them to new musical voices who are carrying on the tradition,” the program’s project manager, Kiana Brown, said.
Lyrical tunes and illustrations by local musicians and storytellers, such as master storyteller and Kåntan CHamorita singer Clotilde Castro Gould, renowned recording artist Johnny Sablan, and advocate and lifelong educator Bernadita Camacho-Dungca, are featured in each book.
“The Kantan CHamoru book series celebrates the musical tradition in CHamoru culture,” Brown said. “The lyrics in each poem or song reflect key values for the community, such as the importance of respecting elders, perpetuating cultural practices, and expressing pride in one’s heritage.”
During the product launch, UOG Press and Guam Green Growth will be offering free activities for families and children, such as a demonstration of traditional rope weaving, arts and crafts, chanting and live musical performances of the books’ songs.
The collection will be available at Faith Bookstore, Bestseller and the Navy Exchange. According to De Fant, it will also be made accessible for online purchase through Amazon.
The Kantan CHamoru books series is available for a special pre-sale price of $12 in-store at UOG Press and online at uogpress.com. The books will be available at local bookstores after the launch.
Furthermore, it will be available online and in local bookstores starting the day after the launch and will retail for $15.
For more information, contact Brown at brownk@triton.uog.edu or by calling 671-735-2153.
“I Mambiha na Tiempo,” written by Clotilde Castro Gould and Johnny Sablan and illustrated by Jerilyn Guerrero, brings back the popular tune that celebrates CHamoru elders and reminds youth to cherish time spent with them.
“I Anonsio-hu,” written by Pedro Blas and illustrated by Mikaela San Nicolas, captures the vibrancy of the CHamoru culture through an illustrated version of his CHamoru reggae song, “I Anunsio-hu.”
