According to research done by the World Bank in 2021, there are Three Steps to Get Every Child Reading:
- Support the home learning environment as part of public policy
- Books need to be in languages that children understand
- Improve the book supply chain
Little Zebra Books makes these steps possible for our partners and their volunteers in communities all across Africa.
The format of our small folding books is designed so that each child can take them home to keep! The stories are shared with parents and read to siblings. This strengthens family literacy and builds hope for a better future. Parents are so proud of their child’s progress, with some even offering a home for a Little Zebra Books reading club.
Since formal schooling in Africa is generally in a colonial language such as Portuguese, French, or English, children start school at a disadvantage. They do not learn in the same language that they speak at home. This is confusing, frustrating and de-motivating. We firmly believe that the love of reading is developed when children learn to read in their mother tongue. Reading confidence grows and grades can improve in their language of learning at school.
We work hard to put mother-tongue books into the hands of thousands of children and the volunteers who run the reading clubs. The need to print and supply more books continues to grow! There are around 100 Little Zebra reading clubs in three of the languages we print for in Mozambique. How amazing is that!
Our books are also available on open access websites like Bloom Library, African Storybook and Storyweaver.
Together with our generous donors, partners, and dedicated volunteers we commit to keep making a difference by helping children to read. The future of education in Africa depends on it!