Books, books and more books! Ethiopia Reads multi-lingual books for children are great for kids everywhere

Ethiopia Reads published Silly Mammo, the first bi-lingual book for children, in 2003. Since then, we have published six titles in English-Amharic and one in English-Sidamo. Our most recent addition is "The Elephant and the Cock," a 25-story collection of folk tales collected in regions across Ethiopia by the British author Elizabeth Laird. The stories were then translated and illustrated by regional Ethiopian artists. Thanks to the Christensen Fund of Palo Alto, CA, for their generous support of that project. Look for a new book about Queen Helina and the Donkey Mobile Library in the US this fall.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

People Power! The Friends of Ethiopia Reads are on the Move

Ethiopia Reads is powered by thousands of supporters across the world who believe that books change lives. From school groups to reading clubs, in classrooms to Board rooms, volunteers make it happen. Thanks to all of the teachers, librarians, community leaders, grandparents, kids, business people, families and individuals who give so much to Ethiopia Reads.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

New! Slideshow of photos from Ethiopia Reads' programs in Addis Ababa and Awassa

Ethiopia Reads is working to bring the joy of reading to children across Ethiopia. This album contains photos taken in Addis Ababa as well as the agricultural capital of Awassa, approximately 5 hours southwest of the capital. Awassa is home to the Awassa Reading and Literacy Center for Youth, as well as Queen Helina and the Donkey Mobile Library, which serves rural children on the outskirts of town. Thanks to Norman Perdue for many of the photos shown here.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

New! Slideshow of photos from Shola Children's Library

These photos were taken by staff and volunteers at Shola Children's Library, the first free public library in Ethiopia. Located in one of Addis Ababa's poorest neighborhood, Shola serves boys and girls between the ages of 3-20 six days a week. Approximately 50,000 books, both in English as well as local Ethiopian languges, line the shelves at Shola. The library is also home to programs in reading, art, theater, dance, health and wellness, as well as the annual Ethiopian Children's Book Week Celebration. Thanks to Matthew Andrea, Catie Dupont, Norman Perdue and many others for the photos.

Help us spread the word! Download this slideshow by clicking the image above.

Celebrate Ethiopian Children's Book Week April 1-7

Ethiopia Reads is proud to announce that it will host the 5th Annual Ethiopian Children's Book Week April 1-7 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This year's theme is "Ethiopia Extends Her Hands to Books" -- a ftting sentiment during this millennimum year, as Ethiopia embraces new opportunities, hopes and ideas for the future.

Thousands of children will participate in the week-long festival, which celebrates the joy that books and literature bring to young lives. Theatrical and musical performances, dance, readings of stories written by and for children are among the highlights. International digntiarites, the media, parents, educators and community leaders will be among those who flock to Shola Children's Library for this festival of fun and literacy.

The calendar of events for Ethiopian Children's Book Week includes:

April 1 – Bread and Books Day. Free books and bread given to children.
April 2 – International Children’s Book Day & Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday
April 3-4 – Reading and performances by children at Shola Children's Library

April 5 – Launch of three new mutli-lingual books for children

April 6 – BOOK-A-THON. Shola kids take to the streets to celebrate the power of books

April 7 – Dedication of The Klevberg Family Library, one of 20 Ethiopia Reads will open in 2008

Want to join us in Addis Ababa for Book Week? We'd love to see you there. Email tsilat@ethiopiareads.org for information on visiting Shola Children's Library during Book Week -- or any time of year.