A new children’s book supporting young cancer patients, written by a teen author, was launched on Wednesday, August 13, at Book Nook in SM Podium, Mandaluyong City.
The second installment in author Jacqueline Dominique Go’s children’s book series “The Adventures of Damgo,” titled “Leon in the Waterworld,” takes readers on a thrilling new chapter as the favorite young astronaut, Damgo, explores a vibrant, unexplored oceanic world teeming with curious and captivating life.
Proceeds from the book’s sales will benefit recipients of the Damgo Art Therapy Foundation, which offers a creative outlet for young cancer patients.
To complete the project, Go also partnered with Bahay Aruga, a free halfway house for pediatric cancer patients, and guided the children in painting activities.
The first book raised funds for Bahay Aruga, and more volunteers joined in the project, Go said.
The illustrations featured in the book were created by seven children from Bahay Aruga.
Go said that collaborating with the young artists is the “heart and soul” of the work.
“Their creativity and spirit are absolutely infectious, and it’s an honor to give their artistic visions a place on these pages,” Go said.
“This collaboration is a reminder that art has the power to heal and inspire, and it’s the most rewarding part of this entire process,” she added.
The young author stressed that the children “reacted very positively to the art therapy,” despite some of them being unwilling to engage at first.
“I think as we progressed with the program, as we created art with them throughout [the] days, they increasingly became more excited to see us as well as interact with us,” Go said.
According to her, they read the book to the children to give them the idea of the story.
“Leon in the Waterworld” was about the journey of Damgo, a young astronaut whose name means “dream” in Bisaya, to a water world, where he met a chameleon who needed help.
Similar to the first book, “Betta and The Dry Lands,” which tackled droughts and the loss of water, the second one also tackles environmental issues, particularly water pollution.
“I wanted to take on the theme of environmental responsibility because it’s a conversation we need to have with children now more than ever,” Go said.
“Through Damgo’s journey to a distant, magical ocean, I hope to show young readers that every action has a ripple effect, and we all have a role to play in protecting our planet.”
Meanwhile, Go revealed that the third book is in the works.
“The Adventures of Damgo: Leon in the Waterworld” is published and distributed by Bookshelf PH.