Alpabeto ng Kalikasan Book Review

Alpabeto ng Kalikasan is an alphabet book that features Philippine flora and fauna from A to Z.

We first new about this book at Pinoy Kids Read Pinoy Books. Gab was invited in the Story Telling Sundays and was asked to prepare some trivia about two animals included in the book:

Anong hayop ang nagsisimula sa letter H na tinatawag ding monkey-eating eagle? Ito ay ang pambansang ibon ng Pilipinas. Ito ay endemic sa Plipinas. Ang ibig sabihin ay makikita lamang ito sa ating bansa. Critically endangered na ang ang mga ito at nanganganib ng maubos o mawala. Ang scientific name ay Pithecophaga jefferyi. Ano ito?

Anong hayop ang nagsisimula sa titik O? Ito ay tinatawag ding dungon. Ang mga ito ay mapaglarong mga hayop at makikita sa isla ng Palawan. Sila ay gising kung gabi at kumakain ng mga maliliit na isda at hipon. Vulnerable na ang ang mga ito at nanganganib na mawala. Ang scientific name ay Aonyx cinereus. Alam nyo ba kung ano ito?

Alpabeto ng Kalikasan has colorful illustrations of native species like the rafflesia, the Philippine Eagle and the long-tailed macaque. Aside from knowing the Filipino names, we also learned the common names and how they are called in other dialects.

Gab loves animals and I’m glad that he recognizes most of our own native Philippine species included in the book. He had an encounter with the butanding and lumba-lumba in Cebu, and the pawikan in Bohol some years back. We are looking forward to visiting the Negros Forest Park in our hometown and meet Valentin, the successfully hatched rufous-headed hornbill.

The website of Alpabeto ng Kalikasan includes a glossary where you can see the common name, scientific name (Gab loves scientific names), or other Philippine vernacular names. Maybe add conservation status (critically endangered, vulnerable) also?

They even welcome everyone to send other Filipino names you might know for these species.

Here’s some on our native dialect (Hiligaynon) that we know: alitaptap – ipot-ipot / gagamba – damang / owl – bukaw / turtle – ba-o / unggoy – amo

Baybayin, one of the Philippines’ pre-colonial scripts, is also showcased in the book. We used this, together with another Baybayin book, to study the beautiful writing system of the country.

Alpabeto ng Kalikasan is by Anya Santos-Uy. Part of the proceeds from this book is donated to Haribon Foundation’s efforts to protect and conserve Philippine biodiversity. You can get the book from the Alpabeto ng Kalikasan website.