During the mid-1970s, the Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP), an organization, which primarily addresses malnutrition in the country, recognized not only the physical deficiency of the Filipino children but also the need for a feeding program that would enrich their mental ability.
[1] Virgilio S. Almario, a renowned poet and literary critic of that time, was consigned to create series of storybooks for this project.
Today, renamed as Adarna House, Inc., the publishing company works with different organizations, producing learning materials for children of all ages, and is continuously reaching out to feed the Filipino minds.
Adarna House Inc. publishes learning tools that can help teachers and parents in guiding their children how to count, color, draw basic figures and identify symbols.
The company also produces lesson plan and worksheet compilations that teachers can use as guide to effectively process the story told to the children.
In 2007, the company released the Ready for School series, which consists of ten (10) flipbooks with Filipino and English text discussing preschool concepts.
These board books teaches a child basic words and concepts like colors, numbers, alphabets, position, emotions, and the like.
Several board books of Adarna House Inc. today subtly instill Filipino culture in the children's minds- like Kakanin!
In the early 2000s, Adarna House Inc. started an imprint, Anino Comics, which first consisted only of Mythology Class and After Eden by Arnold Arre.
Adarna House published its first teen novellas, Jacobo’s Ghost, Mga Ako, and Sup?, under Pilar Perez Medallion for Young Adult Literature in 2001.
This includes Supremo and Janus Silang at Ang Tiyanak ng Tabon, which are winners of the National Children's Books Awards.
Adarna House Inc. publishes translations of classic Filipino novels such as Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo and Florante and Laura.
These books, Buwan, Buwang Bulawan, and May Darating na Trak Bukas are written by renowned writer and National Artist, Rio Alma.
Nang Magkakulay ang Nayon relaunched in 2010 with English text and a Cebuano translation- a first in Adarna House history.
Applications that are based on books like Ang Pambihirang Buhok ni Raquel and Araw ng Palengke are also made available online by the Adarna House Digital[9].
Adarna House Inc. recently launched their Quiz Bee competition, entitled Patinikan sa Panitikan, which is about Filipino literature.
DSWD also worked with Adarna House for Ang Buhay ni Bimboy, a guide for parents and day care workers in nurturing children.
The Meralco Management and Leadership Development Center (MMLDC) Foundation works closely with Adarna House for Lakbay Kalikasan, which promotes environmental awareness through storytelling, puppet shows, and nature trips.