My Favorite Books: What's On Suzi Abrera's Bookshelves

Suzi Entrata-Abrera, mom to Leona, 10; Jade, 8; and Nella, 7
TV personality

How she raised kids who love to read:
My husband Paolo and I read to our children when they were young, around the time they were big enough to physically hold a book or turn the pages of a book. We started with picture books, so that got them used to seeing and having books around the house. Of course, as they grew older, technology was the great distraction, and it made it difficult to make them stay put and read, instead of using the iPad or watching TV.

How she distracts her kids from the iPad:
I just make a rule, ‘Now we’re going to have a 30-minute book session,’ so we turn the TV off. It’s just random, and I think we should make it a little more regular. Everybody goes quiet, gets her favorite book, and starts reading. When they get started, they remember, oh yeah, I like to read nga pala.

My eldest daughter enjoys reading very much, that sometimes, when she gets a new book, she’ll read it from the bookstore, while walking, in the car, and then she’s done by the time we get home.

My second daughter likes a book called Choco Mimi, a comic book from Japan, so you read starting from the backside towards the front. When she sees her ate reading, she’ll get this book and start to read too. I love seeing them on their double deckers reading.

The youngest gets frustrated because she doesn’t read very well, it takes her a long time, so I just tell her to be patient. I sit with her and read with her but after a few minutes she just throws her hands up and says, ‘I don’t wanna do this anymore’.

Nonetheless, we're a family who loves to read!

See Suzi's recommended books by clicking 'View slideshow'!

Photos by Mitch Mauricio