Mum Reads: Scholastic’s The Path to Possibilities: How Stories Can Reach A Global Audience

books, events, children, mum reads, reading, book fair, tips on writing, writing, writing tips

It was a weekend well-spent with like-minded people who share my passion for reading and Harry Potter at the National Bookstore’s Philippine Readers and Writers Festival 2017. It was even better that I tagged my budding little reader and siblings along. The event was a 3-day affair with each day filled with meaningful talks about writing and reading, meet and greet opportunities with famed authors, as well as a chance to purchase books at a discount. I was able to participate in Scholastic’s The Path to Possibilities: How Stories Can Reach A Global Audience.

The key topics discussed during the event include:

  • How Harry Potter started as a children’s book and ended as a book for all ages
  • The maturity of Rowling’s writing through the years and how her characters matured with the readers
  • The reading trend in the Philippines
  • The type of books that children and young adults read
  • How can writers tell stories that will be appealing to a global audience and children
  • How important it is for a writer to include local content and Asian elements into a story and how does it impact our children’s identities

J.K. Rowling is and always will be the epitome of impeccable writing skills and her creation, Harry Potter, lives on to be one of the most beloved children’s book character the world over, enjoyed and appreciated both by adults and young readers alike. The way Rowling made her hero ordinary and take on and do extra-ordinary things are what probably captures the readers’ hearts, but more importantly the excitement of how Harry and his friends grew along with the readers is what captivated the readers for years. The first book of the series, Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, but the world will probably never have enough of Harry Potter and his world long after his adventures at Hogwarts ended.

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5 Tips To Help Make The Most Of Your Manila International Book Fair 2017 Visit

Booklovers everywhere are excited for the much-awaited event of the year, The 38th Manila International Book Fair 2017. I for one cannot wait to drop by and check out the amazing things in-store for bookworms who will troop to the fair this weekend!

Before  going to the SMX Convention Center, consider these 5 tips to help you make the most of your MIBF2017 visit:

Print Your Free Tickets

Especially if you are going with the entire family, or your booklover friends, it is best to come prepared and print your free tickets to save on $$$. Here’s a rundown of the places where you can get your free MIBF2017 tickets:

  1. National Book Development Board – Philippines
  2. Adarna House
  3. Visprint
  4. Omf Literature
  5. National Bookstore
  6. CSM Publishing

Check Event Schedule

If you are eyeing to participate in activities or have your books signed by your favorite authors, it is best to check the event schedule prior to your visit. A detailed schedule for each day of the exhibit can be found at the manilabookfair.com website. You can also check out the hashtag, #MIBF2017 on your social media pages, for updates about the event or to check out what others are getting from the fair.

Make Your Books-to-Buy List

It will be a challenge to sort through each booth at the fair in search of books to complete your collection or for that title your little one’s been bugging you to buy for him. Making a list will make your job a lot easier. If you can, it is also wise to do a quick inventory of the titles you already have at home to make sure you won’t be getting duplicates.

Make A Budget And Stick To It!

The sight of way too many books on sale can be very overwhelming for a bibliophile, so to make sure you won’t be spending the rest of your monthly allowance or the money that you reserved for something else, it is best to make a budget for your book shopping at the fair. Make sure to stick to it as best you can, too!

Bring An Ecobag

If you plan to splurge on books at the fair, better bring your own ecobags as it is a lot easier to dump every book or stationery item in there instead of lugging multiple paper or plastic bags. Plus, you are also helping save the environment by recycling ecobags you have at home, a win-win! 🙂

Since it is the weekend, and a payday, at that, expect a throng of people with plans to check out the book fair just like you. Going early might just give you a chance to browse around without wading through a crowd of overexcited readers also on a mission to find the best book bargain. Bringing your child might not be too ideal, but if you are also going for the first time and would love for your little one to experience the book fair, make sure your little explorer sticks with you at all times.

I hope you find these tips and tricks helpful. See you at the MIBF this weekend, mums! Do not forget to say hi when you see me. Have a happy weekend! :heart:

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