MORE THAN 80 CHILDREN, including eight special kids, got a crash course in art and illustration at yesterday’s Inquirer Read-Along.

The Read-Along, the 41st since it started last year, featured children’s book illustrator Robert Alejandro, child reader Kahlil Gibran Abacan and teachers Ann Abacan and Doray Carable from the Sophia School in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

Alejandro, former host of “Art-is-kool,” a televised art show for children, showed the children two picture books—“Humages” and “Hanimals”—by the Italian artist Mario Mariotti.

The book “Humages” shows different body parts painted as human faces while “Hanimals” shows hands transformed into various animals. Alejandro led the children in identifying the different body parts and the human emotions conveyed by the faces, as well the different animals.

At the end of the Read-Along, Alejandro asked one of the children to write any number on the board. From the number 22, which the child wrote down, Alejandro drew a carabao. The children drew their own carabaos by following instructions.

Alejandro, a reporter of “The Probe Team” and one of the founding members of Ilustrador ng Kabataan, an organization of children’s book illustrators, said he enjoyed the Read-Along experience.

“It was an opportunity for me to give art instruction to children who don’t have much,” he said, referring to some of the participants who came with Hands on Manila and Virlanie Foundation.

A University of the Philippines Fine Arts graduate, Alejandro has won the National Book Award for Design for his books “Treasures of the Philippine National Museum” and “Field Guide to Whales and Dolphins in the Philippines”.

Eight-year-old Kahlil read Rosario Calma’s “Rosa Albina,” while Carable acted out the character, which drew laughs from the audience.

“Rosa Albina” is a story about a beautiful, yet snobbish carabao, who judges the people around her by their appearance. She eventually realizes that inner beauty is more important than physical beauty.

“It was really amazing. It was like watching a movie,” Alejandro said of Carable’s wacky acting.

Abacan, on the other hand read “Ang Lumang Aparador ni Lola (Grandmother’s Old Closet),” a story by Genaro Cruz that won first prize in the Filipino short story category in the Carlos Palanca Literature Awards in 2002.

Fifteen-year-old Joralyn, who came to the Read-Along with Virlanie, was visibly excited. “It was nice and fun, it was like there was a party,” she said.

Malou Bautista came from Marikina to attend the Read-Along for the first time with her three grandchildren—Bea, Pauline and Brian.

“This is a very enjoyable activity for children,” said Bautista, who had read about the Read-Along in the Inquirer. “It was good because the storytellers acted out the stories. I believe the activity raises the awareness for books and love for reading. I’m really happy that the Inquirer has this program.”

Nine-year-old Bea and her brother Brian, 11, both agreed with their grandmother. “It was fun,” Bea said.

Asked about her very first Read-Along experience, five-year-old Pauline gave a shy smile.

Yesterday’s affair was held in cooperation with Hands On Manila, Virlanie Foundation, Krispy Kreme and Ronald McDonald House Charities of McDonald’s Philippines.

Books were also given away courtesy of Vibal Publishing House Inc. and Adarna Publishing House Inc.

Inquirer Read-Along was launched in May last year by the Inquirer Research Department, Library and Junior Inquirer to promote the love of reading among children through storytelling sessions with celebrities and volunteer readers.

The next Read-Along session will be held on Aug. 23 at the Inquirer office in Makati. Interested participants may contact Ellen Caparros or Girlie Refran at 8978808, local 329. Slots are on a first-come, first-served basis.