The Mats

Author: Francisco Arcellana
Illustrator: Hermes Alegre

1995 National Book Award for Children’s Literature
Ten Best Books of 1995, The Philippine Daily Inquirer

Marcelina's father comes home from a trip to the province with a bundle of sleeping mats for his family. Each mat hast he child's name woven into it. Each mat is designed to suit the child's personality. But there are three more mats left in Papa's bundle...In this landmark adaptation for children, National Artist for Literature Francisco Arcellana's classic story "The Mats" remains as fresh and powerful when it first appeared more than fifty years ago. The mats serve as a metaphor for the bittersweet mix of love, laughter, and loss woven into the fabric of everyday life. Hermès Alègrè's palette illuminates each scene with brilliant splashes of color sure to make this book a lasting treasure to be shared by the entire family.

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Tahanan
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9716300409
• ISBN-13: 978-9716300406
• ASIN: B008GHXZKG
• 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7