Short Stories: Si Kaitlin at ang Game Machine

(Kaitlin and the Game Machine)

Story by: Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin

Illustrated by: Manix Abrera

English Translation by: Ina Alleco Silverio

Vibal Group

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"Laging nakakulong sa kaniyang kuwarto si Kaitlin. Hirap siyang tawagin ng kaniyang mga magulang tuwing kainan. Hindi na rin naeehersisyo nang sapat ang kaniyang katawan. Lahat ng iyan dahil sa pagkababad niya sa paglalaro sa computer o tablet.

Ngunit nagbago ang lahat nang kaniyang nakilala ang isang makinang nakapagsasalita at nagdala sa kaniya sa isang lugar na hindi niya makalilimutan." 

The Good:

The story was a nice reflection of the current manner on how kids act out the word "playing".

There were several nods to famous games such as Temple Run and Flappy Bird.

The illustrations were great, as one could expect from Manix Abrera.

The Bad:

It is sad to learn at the end of the story that the other kids in Kaitlin's neighborhood are also obsessed with playing on the computer and/or tablet. It just made me think of the hard time she will be having in order to convince the other kids in her neighborhood to come out and play.

The Verdict:

Playing games that were famous before the era of smartphones and app based games was a nice lesson told in this story.

It highlights the advantages of playing those street games that some children do not even know the name or how to play it nowadays.

Si Kaitlin at ang Game Machine tells the importance of being well rounded in playing games that does not rely on technology. It shares that these are one of the best ways to make new friends and to bond with each other.