Children’s Books Teach Love, Compassion for Animals

By Jasper Valdez

Animal-welfare advocates convey their message to the children through books that urge them to see animals not as creatures whose needs can be ignored, but as living things that deserve care, protection and respect.

Launched on July 12 at the University Hotel in UP Diliman, Quezon City, the books entitled “Desiree Carlos: Ang Journalist na Tagapagligtas ng mga Strays” and “Tahol sa Katahimikan: Mga Tula at Kuwento” were written by Lalaine Manaog-Danao.

Both publications were tied to her broader effort to use storytelling as a way to teach children about kindness toward animals.

Manaog-Danao said she chose to focus on children because values are easier to shape early.

“I focus on children rather than adults because, honestly, children are easier to teach,” she said. “Through book readings and storytelling, we may be able to open their minds and help them develop compassion for animals.”

The first book follows veteran journalist and animal-welfare advocate Desiree Carlos, whose work includes rescuing and caring for strays through Save Animals of Love and Light Inc., or Save ALL.

For Carlos, the book reflects how her own advocacy changed over time. She recalled that during the Marcos years, her work was linked to press freedom and human rights. She later turned to animal welfare after seeing how few people were helping abandoned and abused animals.

“As I evolved, I came to realize that animal welfare matters, too. If we have human welfare, then we should also have animal welfare, right?” Carlos said.

She believes that teaching children to be kind to animals can also shape how they deal with people.

“If children grow up being kind to animals, they will also be kind to the people around them,” she said. “Basically, this is about love, kindness and compassion.”

Manaog-Danao said the book was also meant to show that advocacy is not limited to people with wealth or influence.

“When children, and even adults, read this, I hope they realize that ordinary people can still do good, even if they are not wealthy,” she said.

Her second book, Tahol sa Katahimikan, is a collection of poems and stories drawn from cases of neglect, abandonment and poor treatment of animals. Manaog-Danao said many of the situations in the book came from things she personally witnessed in communities and during her volunteer work.

For her, rescue alone cannot solve the problem.

“We cannot solve this by rescuing animals one after another. We already have laws, but they are not always enforced,” she said. “Everything really has to start with children.”

The books are expected to become part of storytelling sessions in schools and barangays. Carlos and Manaog-Danao are also looking for sponsors who can provide copies directly to children rather than leaving the books only in libraries.

Carlos said the storytelling sessions are intended to help children understand why animals deserve care and encourage them to practice that lesson in everyday life.

“We will hold storytelling sessions so children can understand the message and choose to be kind to animals,” she said.

Quezon City councilor Alfred Vargas, who attended the launch, said the treatment of animals also reflects the values of a community.

“How we treat animals will always be a sign of a good civilization,” he said, adding that care for animals requires both government action and personal responsibility.

San Jose del Monte councilor Rosalyn Cabucob extended the discussion beyond animal welfare, saying compassion should also guide how people treat one another and the environment.

“Compassion should know no boundaries,” she said. “True compassion should not be limited to other people. It should also extend to animals and the environment.” 

Reprinted from Manila Standard