Room to Read began developing original children’s literature over a decade ago in response to the lack of age-appropriate, culturally relevant, quality reading materials for early-grade readers in the low-income communities where they work. To date, the organization has published over 1300 titles in 25 languages and has in turn, helped children develop a habit and love of reading, provided professional development for local authors and illustrators, and fueled local publishing industries in countries across Asia and Africa. Room to Read does field-testing of its titles and analyzes book checkout in their libraries to determine which genres, characters, and plot elements resonate most with children in the communities they serve.
“Several years ago, Room to Read identified a time-sensitive need for our data-proven programs in literacy and girls’ education in communities around the world and we responded by launching a technical assistance arm, Room to Read Accelerator,” said Dr. Cory Heyman, Room to Read’s Chief Innovation Officer. “Our children’s book publishing project in Jordan is a prime example of how, by providing training and support to local publishers, authors and illustrators, we are reaching more children at a faster rate and scaling our impact beyond the boundaries of where Room to Read currently operates our direct implementation programs.”
The stories developed and published as part of this project cover topics that not only capture children’s imaginations but also reflect and legitimize the unique experiences of children in Jordan and give children inspiration to deal with these experiences by reading about the plights and adventures of the storybook characters. Earlier this year, the authors of the book titles met with Syrian refugee university students to understand their experiences so they could be translated into the stories being developed. One book title addresses the concept of home in a time of transience.
The book distribution in Jordan is part of the Reading Nation Campaign, which is an initiative launched in 2016 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The initiative aims to distribute five million books to children in refugee camps and to schools in need around the world. Dubai Cares has been selected by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) to be one of the main partners to manage and implement the Campaign.
About Room to Read
Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read’s innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools in low-income countries during two time periods that are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. Room to Read has benefited 11.6 million children across more than 20,000 communities in 14 countries and aims to reach 15 million children by 2020. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.
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