As the saying goes, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” In today’s world, parenting is more challenging than ever, with children exposed to countless influences, especially through the internet.
Parents need resources to help guide their children to grow up with the right values and avoid pitfalls. Addressing this need, Ernestina Go Shi shared the Fish Series at the recent “The Write Side of Bookshelf” event held at SM Podium’s Book Nook. Originally written for her children, the series comprises seven books that can be purchased individually or as a box set. Each story imparts an essential life lesson—such as budgeting, recognizing danger, keeping secrets, or good hygiene practices—and is paired with a Bible verse and a guide for parents or teachers to educate children better.
The Author Behind the Books
Ms. Ernestina Go Shi, fondly known as “Teacher Tina” to her students, is a licensed teacher and an experienced children’s book illustrator. With the Fish Series, she aims to instill proper values in children through engaging storytelling.
At the event, she shared two of the series' stories, Toothless Kiddo and Buy Me, while also discussing the inspiration behind the project.
A Fresh Perspective
“I didn’t have many books to read to my children,” Teacher Tina shared. “Everything felt like a rehash of the same old fairy tales.” Frustrated by the lack of meaningful material, she created her own.
“If I could impact one child or one parent at a time, my children would grow up alongside others who share the same values,” she said. The books encourage parents and children to see themselves in the stories, with parents often taking on the “big fish” role and children as the “little fish.”
The series’ first book, Toothless Kiddo, was written for her son Timothy, who was present at the event. Despite the book being written back in 2004, Timothy fondly remembers its lessons. “That story stays with me because it was about me. The series teaches values you can carry throughout life,” he shared.
Teacher Tina also recounted stories from other parents and teachers who’ve used her books to teach children valuable lessons—like when to bite (and not to bite) others.
Raising Children the Right Way
Beyond her books, Teacher Tina shared insights from her personal journey as a mother of four, emphasizing the importance of intentional parenting.
“Children should be taught everything at a young age, but in bite-sized chunks,” she explained, highlighting the need for structured guidance. Allowing children too much freedom without boundaries, she said, might lead them to believe that even wrong behaviors are acceptable. Early teaching plays a key role in shaping character.
Why Fish?
Concluding the Q&A session, Teacher Tina explained her choice of fish as the central characters in her stories.
“I chose fish because this is my ministry for children. As a Christian, I connect it to the Bible’s teaching that we are to be ‘fishers of men.’ If I can save one life, that’s enough, because everyone deserves the chance to live.”
Through the Fish Series, Teacher Tina offers a unique tool for parents and teachers to instill values in children while fostering meaningful connections—one story at a time.
By Javier Antonio Portugal