DULDULAO DOT NET This Day & Beyond

Category: Education

  • Reading Advocates Decry Lukewarm Reading Culture, Draft Provisional Readers’ Agenda Presented in First-of-Its-Kind Milestone Meeting

    THE National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA), a group composed of readership advocates in the country and a project by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), held its first important NARA Milestone Meeting recently, where the provisional outline of the NARA Readers’ Agenda was presented.

    The group also decried the lukewarm state of reading culture in the country, as shown in the country’s State of the Reading Nation (SORNA) for the second quarter of the year.

    The alliance will work collaboratively in drafting and finalizing the NARA Readers’ Agenda, and hopes to finish it in time for the grand launch on November 16, 2024. Once fully ratified, NARA will then support activities and interventions in line with its contents, and shall form the basis of the NBDB’s readership interventions for the upcoming year, both as an individual readership advocacy agency and as the NARA secretariat.

    The NARA Readers’ Agenda is a guidebook that will contain NARA’s concrete vision for readership in the Philippines based on its analysis of the state of the reading nation. In laying out advocacy areas, it will be able to concretely grasp and measure its influence on reading communities and the reading culture.

    The second quarter SORNA, meanwhile, highlighted three key points, namely, the importance of community engagement and support networks, teacher training and professional development, and the issue of access to resources and materials. It also noted that efforts to boost reading should now extend to the farthest and underserved areas of the country to boost readership and spark a love for reading.

    The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), one of the organizations that attended the milestone meeting, earlier expressed its intention to work with the NBDB with regard to the quarterly SORNA, as expressed by NRCP Executive Director, Bernardo Sepeda, such as the provision of research assistance to NBDB members.

    The NARA is a unified network anchored on a collaborative working environment in order to better spread the news on existing readership initiatives. This is a project that serves as an integral part of the NBDB’s ongoing efforts to boost readership, given declining reading scores among Filipinos.

    Aside from the NRCP, more than 20 other organizations attended the meeting, such as the National Museum of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, AHA Learning Center, Ayala Foundation, Inc., St. Mary’s Publishing, Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Libro Mo, Kaalam Ko Project, The Inteligente Publishing, Inc., Association of Progressive and Orthodox Litterateurs and Literature Originators, Pinoy Reading Buddies, Inc., Kuwento at Kultura à Paris, St. Mary’s Publishing Corp., Pinoy Reads Pinoy Book, Laguna Province Private Schools and Administrators Association, The Storytelling Project, Iloilo Provincial Library and Archives, BINHI English Literacy Foundation, Sadiri Publishing, UST Library, International Board on Books for Young People, IBBY Ph, and Anak han Sta. Rita.

    For media inquiries, please contact: (NBDB PRESS RELEASE-12 July 2024)

    Divine Reyes-Caraecle

    NBDB Communications

    news@books.gov.ph

    0919-9749770

  • NBDB announces the grantees for the first cycle of its Translation Subsidy Program for Foreign Publishers

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB) announced the list of grantees for the first cycle of the Translation Subsidy Program for Foreign Publishers, a vital component in the country’s preparations as Guest of Honour (GoH) at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM) in 2025, which will be held in Frankfurt, Germany on October 15-19, 2025.

    The Translation Subsidy Program, which has a separate program designed for Philippine publishers, is enhanced further with the PhlGoH2025, an interagency collaboration between the NBDB, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda. Through the Subsidy Program, the agencies aim to increase the number of Philippine-authored books translated into foreign languages.

    The Program seeks to introduce a significant number of Philippine books to publishing markets around the world and foster an intensive cultural exchange between the Philippines’ diaspora communities and their host countries, ultimately making Philippine books globally competitive as the country positions itself as the emerging content capital in Southeast Asia.

    The National Book Development Board, the agency dedicated to the development of the book publishing industry and the promotion of Filipino authorship, takes the lead in the implementation of the Translation Subsidy Program. Three subsidy cycles will be initiated this 2024 to provide more opportunities for foreign publishers to discover Philippine titles and introduce them to their local markets.

    A PhlGoH2025 Advisory Council will prioritize eligible and complete applications based on the relevance and importance of the work to be translated, feasibility and production schedule, production scale and distribution, and the applicants’ experience in translation projects and rights negotiations.

    The FBM is touted as the world’s largest trade fair for books and regularly attracts hundreds of thousands of regular and trade visitors from hundreds of countries worldwide.

    As the GoH at the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse, the Philippines will only be the second Southeast Asian country accorded such an honor after Indonesia in 2015. This distinction also offers immense strategic, economic, political, and cultural importance, and likewise provides the Philippines with the unique opportunity to showcase its literary and intellectual talent and garner attention from the global creative arena.

    The following are the grantees for the first cycle of the Translation Subsidy Program for Foreign Publishers: Ombra GVG Publishing House, Ana Pol Publication House, Transit Buchverlag GmbH, Hohe Publisher, Alfred Kröner Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Al Arabi Publishing and Distributing, Schüren Verlag GmbH, El Maraya for Culture and Arts, Editorial Pretextos, Sonambulos Ediciones, Gadim Gala Publishing, Kathalaya Inc. Pvt. Ltd., BBM Global, Everbest Media Sdn Bhd (EBM), Praphansarn Publishing Co. Ltd., Bookonomics Asia Sdn. Bhd., Lakes Arts Festivals, NDSP Books, Dantes Verlag, Dutch Venture Publishing, Good Reads Lanka.

    For more information about the PhlGoH2025 and the Translation Subsidy Program, plus details on eligibility, criteria, and selection process, click https://books.gov.ph/GOHtranslationguidelines/.

    Follow the NBDB (@NBDBPhilippines) on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Divine Reyes-Caraecle

    NBDB Communications

    news@books.gov.ph

    0919-9749770

  • 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚

    THE Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) 2024, the only comics festival in the world with an Official Selection of ten graphic novel pitches, developed in a Creator’s Lab, and published in time for the festival, announced the ten titles that made it to the festival’s Official Selection list.

    Among these are the 40th National Book Award and 7th National Children’s Book Award winner “Alandal” by J. Philip Ignacio and Alex Niño. “Alandal” is currently published in German and Burmese, and Niño also received the 2022 Eisner Hall of Fame Award in the USA.

    “Doobiedoo Asks” by Bambi and Roland Amago is an autobiographical komiks about discovering that their first-born child is diagnosed with autism. It won at the 2021 Asian Festival of Children’s Content – Best Media Pitch Winner, and at the 7th National Children’s Book Awards as Kids’ Choice Awardee, Chapter Book Category.

    There is also “Twinkle Twinkle” by Tori Tadiar, which won the National Children’s Book Award, and the Filipino Reader’s Choice Award for Best Comics. Tadiar’s next work, Ilustra, is going to be published by Disney Hyperion in June 2025.

    Two new titles will get their first release, “Nino Bughaw” by CJ Reynaldo, about a deaf weather engkanto who has to save his parents from the evil stormy engkanto, and “Watchdog Of Manila” by Lucas Lacorte, about a young boy who uses his newfound superpowers to guard Sentro Manila.

    For the first time since PICOF’s first edition in 2020, PICOF 2024 will be held face-to-face on July 20-21, 2024 (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 AM – 8 PM at The Podium Hall, 6/F of The Podium, located along ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

    𝑀𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑦

    Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to meet and greet some of the country’s most popular and top-notch creators, such as Pol Medina Jr., Tarantadong Kalbo, Libreng Komiks, and SSKAIT. National Book Award winners RH Quilantang from Leyte (“Ang Mga Alitaptap Ng Pulang Buhangin”), and Mike Alcazaren, Noel Pascual, and AJ Bernardo (“Death Be Damned”) are also in attendance. Flying in from Iloilo City, on the other hand, are Pasyon Komiks and Kartilya Komiks, and representing Davao City are Pulitzer Prize Finalist Ren Galeno and Gigi Chan of the popular webcomics, “Somewhere In My Past,” while Yuri Javillonar will come down from Baguio City to release a preview chapter of her work “Blight.” Students from the Komiket’s 9th Comic Book Creator’s Workshop will be releasing their first komiks, and the Makiling Komiks Kolektib are national arts scholars from the Philippine High School for the Arts in Laguna who will also be in attendance.

    Being an international event, PICOF will also see the presence of international delegates from South East Asia like Eisner winner Erica Eng from Malaysia, plus Chin Yew and Sam Seen, also from Malaysia. Juliette Yu-Ming Lizeray, as well as Fang Kai Loo, both from Singapore, will be joined by Toni Masdiono and Tita Larasati of Indonesia, and Ping Sasinan and Maelon and Seesaw representing Thailand. Readers may find each of their short comics all together in the SEA Kommunity Comics Anthology.

    Multiple Eisner Award winner and a recipient of the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, Craig Yoe (USA), will also be releasing his new book, “Woman and Man.” Sean Michael Wilson, also an Eisner and International Manga Award winner who has penned more than 40 titles, together with PICOF’s festival partners from the UK and Australia will also be in attendance. From the Lakes International Comics Art Festival, Lucy Sullivan, Lyndon White, and Mollie Ray will be representing the UK, while Katrina Turner from Perth Comic Art Festival will represent Australia.

    𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑒𝑥ℎ𝑖𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑠

    And PICOF 2024 will not be complete without the Comics Masterclasses so it’s the perfect time for festival attendees to attend these masterclasses. It’s a rare occasion to have these international comics professionals in the country, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and hear them talk and help everyone hone their skills not just in comics but also in sequential art and visual storytelling. All classes are definitely worth attending, like Toni Masdiono’s class on “Dynamic Flow & Angles,” Lyndon White’s “Stand Out Cover Art,” and Carlo Vergara’s “Digging Your Well: Unearthing Your Personal Catalogue Of Story Possibilities,” just a few of the 12 Comics Masterclasses available for interested students.

    Attendees can also get a sneak peek at the creators who are next in line, as the PICOF Creator’s Lab creators are releasing the first chapters of their work. “Hele,” by Mitzi Bajet and Alex Sevilla, follows the life story of jazz and bodabil singer Ada set in the Filipino-American period. There’s “Hiraya” by Fred Cabredo that creates a new mythology about a powerful babaylan, Jalberta, who uses the mystical page of Hiraya to cure her dying grandson, “Tablay” by Kat Olan and Paul Medalla, a high-octane Filipino myth mecha adventure, while lovers of Filipino manga will adore “Sitnalta” by Ray Magbanua.

    Komiket, which has been conducting Comic Book Creator’s Workshops since 2015, announced that the 9th batch of comics creators will be launching their komiks for the first time and they will definitely need all the support they can get.

    Likewise, new released comics will get the special treatment they deserve as they will go on stage for the launch of their comics. The launch will be hosted by world comics expert Paul Gravett, Singaporean Comics Critic CT Lim, and Duy Tano, who will get to interview the creators. Among the new releases to be launched are Tuttle Publishing’s international edition of “Janus Silang,” the “Gigil” Anthology featuring 13 girls love one-shot comics, and “In the Jaws Of St. Camillus” by Stevie Barot, whose work was initially featured in Shortbox Comics Festival in the UK.

    On the other hand, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF), a long-time partner of Komiket working on the tenyearstosavetheworld.com project on climate change, will be working on a four-panel comics workshop for kids, with the view that comics can create a better world. This will be led by Mollie Ray of UK and Patty Ramos of the Philippines. The finished comics will become part of the comics exhibit of PICOF.

    𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐹𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ

    This year, PICOF will also pay tribute to the Alamat Comics creators who started the independent comics scene in Manila through a comics exhibit of collected artworks by the Komikero Museum, and a comics anthology, Alamat Origins. The anthology takes readers back to the stories and art of the first and sometimes only issues of 17 titles released by the Alamat comics group in the 90s. These komiks have now been unearthed, remastered, and revived for new readers to enjoy.

    In a groundbreaking initiative for Southeast Asia, a Comics Rights Market will be held a week before the festival, featuring a two-day rights-selling training with international comics agent Ivanka Hahnenberger. This special project, supported by the National Book Development Board and organized by Komiket, aims to enhance the professional development of Filipino komiks publishers. After the training, they will pitch to eight international publishers from the USA, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Korea, and Myanmar, engaging in business matching sessions to promote Filipino komiks titles. This development initiative supports industry growth and aligns with preparations for the 2025 Frankfurt Buchmesse, where the Philippines holds the distinguished position of Guest of Honour. This prestigious fair, the oldest in the world specializing in translation rights, underscores the Philippines’ commitment to advancing its literary contributions on a global stage.

    There will also be festival merchandise available to help raise funds for PICOF2025 to keep the event free for komiks creators and komiks publishers. This year’s poster is illustrated by 2022 Eisner Hall of Fame awardee Alex Niño. Komiket also calls on Filipinos to support over 200 Filipino komiks creators and publishers by purchasing their komiks. Every purchase during PICOF 2024, where book lovers, film geeks, and animation and video game enthusiasts who love visual storytelling will enjoy in this festival of sequential art, will help encourage creators to continue creating magnificent creations that can be showcased to the world.

    Now is the right time to #supportfilipinocomics. Head to the Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) 2024 on July 20-21, 2024, from 10 AM – 8 PM at The Podium Hall, 6/F The Podium along ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Tickets may be purchased at the venue entrance for only PHP 200. The first one-thousand paid ticket holders will get a free Kometverse komiks anthology featuring 95 Filipino creators. And during the grand raffle, one lucky komiks reader gets to receive over 100 komiks as a gift by the community.

    #PICOF2024 is organized by Komiket, and supported by the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the National Book Development Board.

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    komiketinc@gmail.com

    Communications and Promotions
    National Book Development Board
    View Books Philippines Catalog
    Visit the www.philippinebookfest.com

  • Make No Room for Online Pirated Content:Protect Your Data, Report Suspicious Websites, Buy Original

    Make No Room for Online Pirated Content:Protect Your Data, Report Suspicious Websites, Buy Original

    As we gear up for another school year, we face piracy threats with online publications at our fingertips. Books and other learning resources are becoming increasingly accessible, influencing how we study and learn. How safe are our learners, teachers, schools, publishers, and institutions in this environment? The recent cyberattack on the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reveals the serious risks we face.

    On April 2, 2024 local hackers breached the DOST network, compromising two terabytes of data, including personal information of employees and research plans, designs, and schematics. This incident underscores the vulnerability of online platforms to data breaches, particularly when cybersecurity measures are not regularly maintained, monitored, updated, and enhanced.

    Protecting our online identity, fighting piracy, and supporting copyrighted content are crucial. Individually, we can secure online learning environments by teaching students to safeguard their personal data. This includes securing devices, avoiding public Wi-Fi, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and accessing only licensed learning management systems. Schools can configure desktops and laptops to prevent downloading certain file formats, especially scanned PDFs of textbooks. Learners and school personnel should practice these precautions at home and report suspicious websites.

    Beyond data security and piracy risks, there is an important ethical aspect. Using pirated content infringes on copyright, undermines the hard work of content creators, jeopardizes their livelihood, and diminishes the recognition of their creativity and original work. Buying original content from legitimate sources shows respect for intellectual property rights, promotes integrity, and supports content creators.

    Moreover, opting for original content benefits users, given the rigorous book development processes that help ensure high-quality, accurate information. By sourcing textbooks from legitimate providers, we can contribute to the fight against piracy, and at the same time, secure better learning experiences.

    In addition to individual efforts, the government must advocate for and support content creators and book developers. Stronger anti-piracy laws and rigorous enforcement are essential, and public support and vigilance are crucial.

    We must unite in this fight—society needs to stand together against piracy and uphold integrity in education.

    As we start this new academic year, let us commit to being cybersafe and ethical in our use of online content. We can make smart, ethical choices. Say NO to piracy!

    In my opinion, it is important to coordinate with the authorized government or private agencies with regards to protection of property rights and anti-piracy in general.

    For a comprehensive lineup of legitimate educational resources, browse Rex Education’s 2024 Higher Education Catalog [here](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/956156329/2/).

    Reference:

    Richard C. Mamuyac

  • Philippine Book Fair Is Just A Book Experience: NBDB’s PBF 2024 Is One of the Grandest Philippine Book Festival

    For me, the National Book Development Board (NBDB)’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2024 is one of the grandest Philippine Book Festival joined by book lovers, authors, publishers, personalities, artist, actors, guests and other concerned citizens from diverse cities and other places in the country that was held last May 25, 2024 to May 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City.

    I was one of those who were excited and enjoyed the activities in the Philippine Book Festival 2024: “It’s Not Just A Book Fair, It’s A Book Experience.” Everyone was thrilled of the activities of the recent PBF 2024, especially those book lovers who was eager to meet their favorite authors, publishers, artists, actors and other personalities who participated the grandest Philippine Book Festival in the community.

    A lot of books published from diverse Filipino authors and Filipino publishers to read by the diverse readers from the diverse cities and other places in the society. I have learned how important of the existence of the Filipino books (including news papers, magazines, comics, etc.), especially those books written and published with our own ethnicity language in a certain locality. We should be reminded of the importance of basic principles and basic things in our daily living.

    The art of reading & listening is continuous process of communication and comprehension of both readers and listeners of books and audio, respectively, in general. How beautiful to read and speak with your mind of your favorite books written and published by your favorite Filipino authors and Filipino publishers in general. We should not also forget to read and internalize of the verses written in the Bible as part of our everyday living. Book is not only intended for children or book lovers, but book is for all. As long as we’re still able, imagine and think about it of the Philippine Book Festival this day & beyond.

  • NBDB’s PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL: The Grandest PBF this Year 2024

    The National Book Development Board (NBDB)’s Philippine Book Festival (PBF) held on April 25 – 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila is one of the grandest PBF this year 2024 entitled “PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2024”, “It’s Not Just A Book Fair, It’s a Book Experience.”

    For me, it’s not just a book fair but it’s great art and book experience to witness the authors, publishers, artists, poet, creators, influencers, actors, book lovers and others personalities showing their great support to the Philippine Book Festival 2024. The exhibitors and guests were glad and enjoyed supporting the books, arts and creations related to Philippine literature, culture, entertainment, art, education, poetry and lifestyle in general showcase in the Philippine Book Festival at World Trade Center Metro Manila. They were thrilled to greet and meet their favorite authors, artists, actors, leaders, influencers and other personalities in the PBF 2024.

    Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate of the Philippines, delivered a speech and mentioned of her support of the Philippine Book Festival. She also encourages everyone to support Philippine Book Festival and make it viral as many stories, and she would relish the sight of children going back to reading books, and reading the books written published by Filipino authors and Filipino publishers.

    Despite of my schedules related to personal & business activities, I managed to attend the grand opening of the NBDB’s PBF 2024 last April 25, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila. It’s a great book experience with the art of advocacy to support the Philippine Book Festival this day & beyond.

  • PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL (PBF) 2024 Grand Opening: NBDB opens PBF 2024 from April 25 to 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila

    PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL (PBF) 2024 Grand Opening: NBDB opens PBF 2024 from April 25 to 28, 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila

    On the 25th day of April 2024, the National Book Development Board (NBDB), a government agency of the Philippines in charge of the book publishing sector and the promotion of readership has launched the Grand Opening of Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2024 at World Trade Center Metro Manila.

    The PBF is the first and largest traveling book festival in the country, promoting the best Philippine books and educational materials. It is not your traditional book fair—guests can enjoy educational exhibitions and informative workshops, meet their favorite authors, and purchase quality Pinoy books.

    PBF 2024 is open from 8AM to 8PM from April 25 to 28, 2024 for free entrance and accepting walk-ins to join the diverse book fair in Metro Manila. It’s Not Just a Book Fair, It’s a Book Experience for all who travels from the diverse cities and communities locally and abroad to enjoy education exhibitions, informative workshops and invest quality books of diverse authors of the PBF 2024. Besides, guests can also meet their favorite authors and artists during the launch of their newest books and upcoming tv shows for the excitement of their readers and viewers in the community.

    Philippine Book Festival…

  • Join My Guardian Alien stars, Marian Rivera, Gabby Concepcion and Raphael Landicho of the PBF Special on the Main Stage of the Philippine Book Festival 2024, “Si Gren, Ang Kaibigan Kong Alien.”

    Join My Guardian Alien stars, Marian Rivera, Gabby Concepcion and Raphael Landicho of the PBF Special on the Main Stage of the Philippine Book Festival 2024, “Si Gren, Ang Kaibigan Kong Alien.”

    The GMA Primetime Queen Marian Rivera is inviting all to join the largest traveling book fair of the Philippines, the Philippine Book Festival (PBF).

    Join GMA’s My Guardian Alien stars, Marian Rivera, Gabby Concepcion and Raphael Landicho of the PBF Special, “Si Gren, Ang Kaibigan Kong Alien: A Book Launch,” from 12:00PM until 1:00PM on April 26, 2024 in the main stage of World Trade Center, Pasay City.

    The book: “Si Gren, Ang Kaibigan Kong Alien” is intentionally written for the GMA Prime TV series “My Guardian Alien” with stars, Marian Rivera, Gabby Concepcion and Raphael Landicho.

    𝙎𝙞 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙣, 𝘼𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙖𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙆𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣 is an illustrated children’s book that tells the story of a friendship between a boy and an alien who visits Earth hoping to learn about childhood games.