This June at Pamana Children’s Library Corner, we are proud to feature Divine Gil Reyes, the award-winning author of Pitong Tsinelas, a heartwarming board book that celebrates friendship, inclusion, and the joy of play. Created in collaboration with Save the Children Philippines and Tahanan Books, the story draws from Divine’s own childhood memories of neighborhood games, using simple moments to teach young readers about diversity and numeracy. With vibrant illustrations by Benjor Catindig, Pitong Tsinelas reminds us that even small details can reflect big ideas about empathy and belonging. Divine’s passion for storytelling continues to inspire children across communities, helping build a kinder, more inclusive world through every page.
Pitong Tsinelas (Seven Slippers) by Divine Gil Reyes
Pitong Tsinelas is a collaboration between Save the Children Philippines and Tahanan Books. As part of Save the Children’s literacy program, we were invited to create a board book in Filipino that promotes both inclusivity and numeracy.
I drew inspiration from my own childhood—those happy afternoons when we’d go from house to house, picking up friends along the way to play outdoor games like patintero and tumbang preso. Illustrator Benjor Catindig beautifully brought this vision to life, capturing the spirit of friendship through the different slippers the children wear.
It was a delightful surprise when the first edition of Pitong Tsinelas was named one of the Best Reads for 2018–2019 by the National Children’s Book Awards. A bilingual paperback edition in Filipino and English soon followed. The book was also translated into Burmese in collaboration with Save the Children Myanmar, while Chinese and Spanish editions are currently available for partnership opportunities. Our hope is to continue bringing the book’s message of inclusivity to young readers in more parts of the world.
One of the greatest joys this book has brought me is the chance to visit schools and community events to read aloud to children. I love watching their eyes light up as they notice little details on each page, and that magical moment when they truly grasp the heart of the story.
Even without the recognition, the messages of appreciation from parents have brought us so much joy. To know that Pitong Tsinelas may have helped even a few children embrace others with kindness and openness—that, for us, is the true reward.
Divine Gil Reyes is a Filipino advertising and communications strategist who has created campaigns for leading local and multinational brands. Based in the Philippines, she is also an award-winning children’s book author, with three National Children’s Book Awards to her name.
She is the co-creator of the Halo-Halo Histories series, which makes Philippine history fun and accessible for young readers. Two of their titles—A Lolong Time Ago: A Prehistory of the Philippines and Cashaysayan: A History of Philippine Money—were named Best Reads by the National Children’s Book Awards, while Sinobayani? José Rizal was a semi-finalist. Her third National Children’s Book Award was for Pitong Tsinelas, a board book that celebrates diversity and inclusion. (All books were published by Tahanan Books.)
She is a proud wife to Marc, mom to daughters Rafi and Miki, and a paw-rent to two small dogs. An incurable optimist, Divine is passionate about storytelling, nation-building, and creating a better world for children—one project at a time.
Divine’s “Pitong Tsinelas” is available at the Rizal Center Pamana Children’s Library in Chicago. Be sure to check them out on your next visit!
Take a closer look at Pitong Tsinelas—a delightful story brought to life by a talented creative team, celebrating friendship, play, and inclusion in a way that resonates with young readers.
Halo-Halo Histories
Did you know that the Halo-Halo Histories books in the Pamana Library are co-authored by Divine Gil Reyes? This fun and informative series makes Philippine history accessible and exciting for young readers, with titles that explore everything from prehistoric times to the story of our money. With its playful tone and rich illustrations, Halo-Halo Histories is a great way to spark curiosity and pride in our heritage.
Read about Pamana Children’s Library story and our mission by visiting our page on the Rizal Center website: https://rizalcenter.org/programs/pamana-childrens-library/.
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Support the Pamana Children’s Library
At Pamana, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling and the joy of books to connect generations and celebrate cultural identity. Our mission is to inspire young minds by sharing the rich traditions, values, and stories of the Philippines, fostering a sense of community. Since our opening in December 2023, our dedicated volunteers have engaged Filipino families in the greater Chicago area through enriching story times and cultural events.
To sustain these vital programs, we kindly ask for your support through one-time or monthly donations. Your contributions directly benefit the children and families we serve.
As the program of the Rizal Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donations may be tax-deductible.
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