This is a juvenile textbook, originally published in 1915 by the American Book Company, intended to educate American children about the United States' new possessions, the Philippine Islands, following the Spanish-American War in 1898. Written by Burtis M. Little, an American educator who served as a provincial school principal in Albay, Philippine Islands, the book provides a detailed look at the daily life, culture, education, and principal industries, such as rice and abaca (Manila hemp), of the Filipino people in the early period of American colonial administration. The author's preface explicitly notes that the book was written to correct vague American misconceptions that the Filipinos were "half savage" and "uncivilized," asserting instead that the great majority were Christian, and many were highly educated with European accomplishments. The narrative follows a fictional Filipino boy named Francisco, detailing his home life, work, education in the new American-style public school system, and a graduation trip to Manila. It serves as a primer on Philippine history and government, placing the islands' transfer from Spain after more than three centuries of residence in context for a young audience, and underscoring the United States’ responsibility for the archipelago. The book's publication aligns with the American government's policy of establishing a centralized public school system in the Philippines using English as the medium of instruction.
Francisco, the Filipino