Many local communities in the Philippines, especially in remote areas, face significant challenges due to limited access to proper literature and education. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this, and the consequences of disrupted education are now evident in the young children of these communities. According to the World Bank, 91% of Filipino children aged 10 struggle with basic reading comprehension. This situation contributes to lower literacy rates and limits future educational and job opportunities.
Founded with the goal of encouraging young minds to love reading, The Book Cradle Project was established in 2022 as a non-profit, youth-led organization. The four founding members—Ava Padilla, Maria Beatriz Paterno, Soheon Rhee, and Hailey Que Yap—were only first-year high school students when they were inspired to make a difference in their local communities. Since being accredited by the National Coordinating Body of Clubs for UNESCO in the Philippines, in coordination with the UNESCO National Commission – Department of Foreign Affairs (UNACOM-DFA), in 2023, they have worked diligently to promote literacy through community read-aloud sessions, English lessons, and book drives.
The founding members of The Book Cradle Project, from left to right: Hailey Que Yap, Soheon Rhee, Ava Padilla, and Maria Beatriz Paterno.
The Book Cradle Project championed its first-ever read-aloud and book distribution event at Alabang Elementary School in 2023. After seeing the classroom full of eager students, they knew these interactions could truly make a difference in how children perceive literature. Since that first visit, the organization has donated over 4,000 books to Alabang Elementary School’s library and hosted English workshops to teach creative writing to students. The Book Cradle Project only hopes to continue growing its initiatives and to inspire students to cultivate a lifelong passion for reading and literature.
Their most recent initiative was publishing A Few Willing Hands, a powerful new picture book for children aged 12 and above, exploring sustainability and youth-led advocacy. According to the founders of The Book Cradle Project, “This book is a testament to our organization’s mission: ‘Literacy sparks expression, and expression sparks change.’ Inspired by the stories of the children they have taught, the founders felt compelled to create a narrative about climate change—an issue that is both globally urgent and locally relevant. With the rate of global warming having increased more than threefold since 1982, climate change poses a serious threat to our communities.
A Few Willing Hands offers readers a compelling journey about a boy harnessing the power of his own voice to inspire others in his community. Manuel, a typical high school student, stumbles upon a protest by the Pasig River that opens his eyes to a reality he never knew existed. As bizarre events unfold—maggots in his lunch and a mysterious flood in the clinic—Manuel realizes that no one else seems to notice. The book follows Manuel’s journey as he tries to awaken those around him and make his voice heard. The Book Cradle Project hopes that through this story, it will encourage young minds to become advocates and changemakers for a better world.
The book was officially released on July 26, 2025, through a launch in collaboration with National Bookstore and Shangri-La Plaza. The event featured a book signing, a Q&A panel, and a platform for people to purchase copies of the book. All proceeds will go directly toward funding more initiatives of The Book Cradle Project, as well as projects in its international chapters. One such effort includes equipping 50 students in each chapter with solar-powered e-readers.
Since its inception in 2022, the organization has expanded its efforts globally to broaden its impact, forming international chapters in countries such as New Zealand, China, Cuba, Korea, and more—all united by the mission to provide children with access to literature and educational opportunities.
