Room to Read

“We are thrilled that The Art of Giving has included Room to Read in its innovative program. The funds generated from the purchases will provide the life-long gift of education to many deserving kids. I have met the founder of The Art of Giving and know that she shares our belief that World Change truly Starts with Educated Children."

John Wood, Founder of Room to Read

Room to Read is a global organization seeking to transform the lives of millions of children in the developing world through a focus on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Read works in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and to ensure girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary education.

Since 2000, Room to Read has impacted the lives of more than five million children by providing increased access to high-quality educational opportunities through its network of libraries and schools, local language children’s books and its girls’ education program. Room to Read is changing children’s lives in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zambia and aims to reach 10 million children by 2015.

We are significantly increasing the quantity and diversity of children's books published in local languages by sourcing and publishing new children's literature. Our Local Language Publishing program is committed to providing children with materials that will inspire them to read, expand their minds, and develop a lifelong love for reading and learning.

The books are a fundamental component of our Reading Room library program. are created entirely within the countries in which we work. We select local writers and illustrators to develop new culturally-relevant children's books. Some stories are adapted from local folktales; others are sourced from various writing competitions and writers' workshops sponsored and facilitated by Room to Read. These competitions and workshops promote literacy – a culture of writing, not just reading. Room to Read selects the highest quality manuscripts from those submitted. 

Books are often field-tested by our staff with local children, to garner comments on plot, character development, language and general suitability for the target age group. All of our local language books are printed within the respective countries, where we publish 5,000 - 10,000 copies per new title and distribute them to our network of schools and libraries, and to other non-governmental organizations.

Our goal is to provide a variety of content to children in the developing world, covering a myriad of themes including: gender equality, the environment, health, art, beginning words and basic vocabulary, morals and values, family life, folktales, rhymes and poems.

Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.