Copyright © 2000 by Adarna House, Augie Rivera, and Beth Parrocha-Doctolero
Story by Augie Rivera
Xilef is the first Filipino children's story that helps develop greater understanding and acceptance of dyslexic children.
Source: Goodreads
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Makailang ulit na siyang nagwaagi ng Gantimpalang Palanca para sa kaniyang mga kuwentong pambata sa Filipino at sa Ingles. Isa na rito ang kuwentong Xilef na nagwagi ng Ikatlong Gantimpala sa Kuwentong Pambata noong 1999.
Isa siya sa mga tagapagtatag ng KUTING (Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting), isang grupo ng mga Filipinong manunulat ng kuwentong pambata.
REVIEW
"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest." - C.S. Lewis, author of the "Chronicles of Narnia" series
I've always thought that children's books are something only children should benefit from. Stories like these must've been printed for children to enjoy and learn from, right? As a grown-up I shouldn't really be wasting my time reading stories for kids, right? It turns out I was mistaken in my perceptions.
When I was digging through the books I used to read as a kid I came across this superhero themed story about little Felix. I remember thinking back then that this book was just another story about a kid dreaming to become some extraordinary superhero, given how much I focused on the visuals which remain fascinating to me up to this day. However, upon reading the book again, I began to understand the trouble that little Felix was going through. I didn't pay much attention to the progress I've made with my reading because I had neglected the fact that there are people like little Felix who have a genuine difficulty appreciating the habit of reading.
Xilef, the reversed spelling of little Felix's name, gives light to a real health issue that hinders one's reading capabilities. As a little kid, Felix suffered from dyslexia, a mental health issue that interferes greatly not only with his reading skills but also his speech and handwriting. Specifically, he suffered from dyseidetic dyslexia, also known as "visual dyslexia". He would often imagine letters floating around like asteroids in outer space, and in turn he often saw himself as the space hero "Captain X" ready to protect planet "Xtimus"
from the forces of evil.
His disability would be the subject of his classmates bullying him and being called out by his reading class teacher Ma'am Venus. When given any excerpt to read before the class, he not only mispronounced the letters of every word but also imagined himself flying along with the words he reads. This made his classmates ridicule him, calling him out for sounding like a living being from a different planet. His teacher eventually had to call for his parents to ask them about his reading capabilities.
Felix would not lose hope, however. With his parents' guidance and support he was assisted by trained professionals to help him with his reading abilities. He had a support group consisting of medical experts, his reading tutor, and his parents. Eventually, through their collaborative effort, Felix's reading problems would slowly disappear, and he would eventually be able to catch up with the rest of his classmates. In the end, Felix continued to live life being able to read and understand words much better than he once did.
This book is a testament to the impact a children's story can have even to grown-ups like you and me. It deserves the recognition it got as the third best children's book in 1999 under the Palanca Awards, the Philippines' equivalent to the "Pulitzer Prize", not because of its colorful, wacky artwork alone but, more importantly, because its story helps young children understand real life situations just as Felix had gone through. Many children's books often focus on sparking the imagination of the young child by giving their characters a fantasy adventure to go through. However, Xilef is a simple yet powerful story to help little kids understand people like little Felix who are disabled and incapable of doing simple tasks like reading and speaking properly.
If ever we're acquainted to or are related to anyone who has any form of disability, let us remember to be compassionate and caring for them. Let us not add further to the problems brought about by their weaknesses. Instead, let us lend them our hands and kind hearts and remember to be thankful for we're capable of helping those who are in need. Indeed, the ages old adage of "doing good to our fellowmen" and its many reiterations across different civilizations always remains an important value to live by up to this day.
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