LDTF to launch young author’s book on Saturday

Leilani Attao, second from left, author of the newly published Maolik Kontra Baba, poses with first lady Diann Torres, center, and others. (Contributed Photo)

The Lady Diann Torres Foundation will launch its fifth children’s book during the International Festival of Cultures on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Paseo de Marianas.

Leilani Attao, the winner of LDTF’s Second Annual Young Author’s Language in Literacy Writing Competition and the author of the newly published Maolik Kontra Baba, translated as Good versus Bad, will be signing copies of the book at the festival. 

The book signing will be held at the CNMI Tent between 5pm and 9pm. Copies of Maolik Kontra Baba will be sold for $10 each. Proceeds will go to the next Language in Literacy Young Author’s Writing Competition event. 

Attao wrote Maolik Kontra Baba when she was in fifth grade while attending Garapan Elementary School. She is currently in seventh grade at Hopwood Middle School.  A synopsis of the book tells us a fictional story that took place in Alamagan where the protagonist, Taga, had a strange encounter with the evil Birak that lead him to his moral dilemma of good versus bad. 

“Leilani authored a well-written book that makes for an exciting read for all ages,” said first lady Diann Torres.  “We are excited to include Maolik Kontra Baba in our library of young author’s children’s books published through my foundation.”

Torres encourages all aspiring young authors to participate in the upcoming 2019 Young Author’s Writing Competition, which welcomes authors in grades 4 to 12. Books must be written in either Chamorro or Carolinian with an English translation. Books written by authors in grades 4 to 8 must not exceed 250 words while those in grades 9 to 12 are limited to no more than 500 words. More details about the 2019 Young Author’s Writing Competition will be made available in the coming weeks.  

LDTF extends its gratitude to its program sponsors and partners that include IT&E, Bridge Capital LLC, Bank of Guam, Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc., Saipan Shipping, Indigenous Affairs Office, Chamorro and Carolinian Language Commission, Carolinian Affairs Office, and the CNMI Public School System’s CCLHS Teachers. 

It is through these partnerships and support of sponsors that LDTF is able to continue the good work of promoting the Chamorro and Carolinian languages through short stories. 

For more information about the LDTF Language in Literacy Young Author’s Writing Competition, email LDTF at ladydianntorres@gmail.com or call 235-2383 (LDTF). (PR)