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Our Nipa Hut

A Story in the Philippines

Grouped product items
Hardcover ISBN: 9781646865000 CA$22.99 In stock	- +
Paperback ISBN: 9781646865017 CA$12.99 In stock	- +

Written by Rachell Abalos

Illustrated by Gabriela Larios

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.

Key Selling Points:

GLOBAL AWARENESS: Written by a Filipino American author who grew up in the Philippines, the story provides a child’s-eye view of life in a traditional Filipino dwelling.
FAMILY: Highlights the child-father relationship and expands on the idea of family by defining the nipa hut as a family member.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING: Yelena and her father must persevere and work together in the midst of uncertainty in order to protect themselves and their home.
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENGINEERING: Educational endnotes explore information about the Philippines, the role of climate change in natural disasters, such as tropical storms, and how nipa huts inspired the invention of skyscrapers.

More Details

Product Dimensions: 8.50 x 10.75 in
Page Count: 32 pages
Age Range: Ages 4-8 years
Leveling: Q
Grade Level: 4

Awards & Accolades

“A vibrant tribute to a beloved Filipino home” – Kirkus Reviews

★ “Emphasizes the bonds of family and community, as neighbors come together under rainbow skies . . . This well-crafted overview is not only a heartening story, but a good choice for STEM and multicultural studies” – School Library Journal, starred review

“This colourful, fascinating 4+ picture book introduces readers to ‘nipa huts’ — stilt houses made of bamboo and palm leaves — and how their human families mend and look after them, especially after storms” – The Guardian

About the Contributors

Written by - 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.

Illustrated by - Gabriela Larios

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.