Together, we will eradicate illiteracy by 2030.
We are a passionate team and community who believe that access to literacy is a foundational right.
How NABU Works
Accelerating Literacy Through Access to Mother Tongue Books
When children can read in their local language first, they grow in confidence, and literacy levels shoot up. By offering training for writers and illustrators, we create original local language books that support children in learning how to read. Nabu.org is our free reading app that distributes our children’s books to millions of readers globally. To accelerate the mission, we develop reading programs in underserved communities in which the children learn to read on our reading app by reading our NABU children's books.
Content
Authentic Book Creation Lab
A child needs access to 160 mother tongue reading books at the early grades. We train local artists to publish high quality books in mother tongue languages.
Distribution
NABU Reading App
Content is useless without distribution. We have developed the NABU multilingual kids book app, the best reading app for low bandwidth environments, to provide free access to books.
Engagement
Bridge to Literacy
Literacy requires children to be actively reading everyday. We link reading behavior to in-app reward, and invest In local reading programs.
Why mother tongue reading?
Mother tongue books are one of the most cost-effective interventions in increasing literacy.
- Research shows mother tongue books:
- Increase a child’s motivation to read
- Result in stronger parental engagement in children’s education
- Provide a bridge to reading in English, and other languages
Global Impact
Where we work
Currently
Haiti, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Romania, Kenya, Phillipines, DRC, Australia, USA
Programs
Through Bridge To Literacy (B2L), NABU trains community-based reading ambassadors and local partners to onboard and motivate families to read with their children every day. In partnership with local governments and NGOs, NABU has trained over 2,000 Reading Ambassadors, replicating the Bridge To Literacy program succ...
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In the ABC Lab, we train local creators to publish collections of leveled books in languages where they do not exist, ensuring that every child has free access to the essential books that they need to learn to read. Mother tongue reading books are one of the most cost-effective interventions in children’s literacy, im...
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To read is to rise
Accelerating Literacy Through Access to Mother Tongue Books
Mother tongue books are one of the most cost-effective interventions in increasing literacy, yet 40% of children globally do not have access to educational materials in a language they speak or understand. Increased access to culturally relevant, mother tongue books directly promotes higher reading engagement, leading to higher literacy scores.
Specifically, research shows mother tongue books:
• Increase a child’s motivation to read
• Result in stronger parental engagement in children’s education
• Provide an essential bridge to reading in English, and other national languages
Help us to ensure that every child has free access to the essential books that they need to learn to read.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Kathryn Ritchie, Chair
Founder and CEO of Ignition Institute
Kelly Gallagher, Treasurer
Vice President of Content Acquisition at Ingram Content Group
Damien Vanderwilt
Co-President & Head-Global Markets, Galaxy Digital Holdings
Deanna Lane
CEO of FastLane Consulting Group
FAQs
Reports
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We bring the wonder of reading right to your child's fingertips with bilingual, mother tongue books.
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NABU is a technology enabled publisher of multilingual children's books, accelerating children's literacy through their mother tongue.