Postmodern Picture Books:

Not Only For Kids

A presentation by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz
Children’s book author, book reviewer, SCBWI member

2003 May 17 Manila

What are “postmodern picture books”? What is it like to read and understand books like these? 
Does it require a different mindset? Who are these contemporary children’s authors and 
illustrators who create them? How do they successfully and creatively defy traditional 
conventions? The presentation by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz answered all these questions at a 
SCBWI seminar held last May 17, 2003 in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. The venue was 
one of those neat and modern classrooms of the Yuchengco Institute of Advanced Studies, on 
the 5th level of RCBC Plaza -- very conveniently located in the middle of Makati, at the 
intersection of Ayala Avenue and Buendia.

A member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Neni has 
conducted countless workshops on reading and writing over the years. For her talk last May 17, 
Neni arrived with a pink-violet suitcase full of books: Tuesday, Zoom, Stellaluna, Rose Blanche, 
Black and White, Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, Good Night Gorilla, Zoo, The Stinky Cheese Man 
and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, and many, many more.

The books alone were enough to keep the participants engrossed, so much so that it became 
quiet a bit of a challenge to make them go and partake of the snacks during the break! Because 
the venue was rented for strictly four hours only, we had to shoo people out at the end because 
they simply would have gone on and on, browsing and discussing postmodern books! All in all, 
the whole afternoon was well spent and everyone agreed that Neni's presentation was worth 
waiting for. 

Top photo: Neni, book in hand, and her audience of writers, illustrators, publishers, and 
educators. Bottom, left to right: Neni's fellow organizers Nikki and Beaulah; Nikki, coffee 
in hand, looking at the books; eager participants examining Neni's samples of postmodern 
picture books. 

 

Before finally dispersing, some participants gave feedback about the seminar. Karina Bolasco, 
a publishing manager, said she liked the newness of the topic, the attempt to look at trends and 
the context (changing times and technology) from which these emerged, and the sampling of 
books provided by the lecturer. Isa Nazareno, an illustrator, appreciated the fact that it brought 
together a group of people who could share knowledge, tips, and inspiration. Zarah Gagatiga,
a librarian, found the topic new and fresh. She says the seminar itself was not just timely and 
helpful, it in fact "justifies the shift of paradigm for school librarians." Hillary Marshall, a media 
specialist, says that the participants involved in the seminar can really learn a lot from each 
other. She enjoyed the whole seminar and found Neni's talk extremely useful -- especially the 
introduction to international picture book authors. Raquel Romasanta, an educator, says the 
seminar "revamped" her thoughts and gave her new insights and a fresh perspective on things, 
people, and especially children. Cherrie Carlos, another illustrator, thinks the nicest thing about 
the seminar was "I got to see these famous books in the flesh (in the 'paper'?)." She says it was 
also nice to know that there are similar books in the local market made by local artists. Still
another illustrator, Fran Ng, says the seminar was "eye-opening...first time I came across the
concept and examples of postmodern picture books. I liked the range of books shown and the
easy-to-follow outline of the talk." Carla Pacis, a writer and bookstore owner, simply and 
succintly said that the seminar made her look at picture books in another way. 

_______________________________________________________________________ 

Neni Sta. Romana Cruz is a writer, published children's book author, book reviewer, and educator. She heads 
the Children's Media Center at International School Manila; sits on the Philippine Board on Books for Young 
People (PBBY); and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Neni has 
also conducted countless workshops on reading and writing over the years. She lives in Paranaque with her 
husband and three children, and may be contacted at [email protected] or via [email protected]

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