UNICEF partners with NABU to teach Pacific children how to stay safe in this pandemic.

NABU launches free reading platform in Kenya.

There Are Lots Of COVID-19 Children’s Books Now. Here’s A Selection.

Here’s how e-learning developers are keeping children focused during COVID-19 lock-down.

Diverse children’s story collection uses the power of storytelling to combat fear surrounding COVID-19.

Local publishers, e-learning developers to unveil children’s books online.

How this app is fostering the children’s mother tongue in Rwanda.

Storybook Collection Features Bi-Lingual Haitian Female Protagonists

News

Education is a fundamental human right. HP Inc. is proud to partner with NABU in supporting local illustrators and authors to increase relevant content creation and book production, ensuring children globally have access to enriching resources and content they need in their native language. HP creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers and 3D printing solutions, we engineer experiences that amaze. We focus on advancing Sustainable Impact, taking bold and comprehensive steps to drive climate action, protect human rights and accelerate digital equity backed with some of the most comprehensive goals in our industry. Partnering with organizations like NABU helps us deliver on our goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. Learn more at www.hp.com/sustainableimpact.

With smartphone usage set to triple over the next 5 years, NABU is committed to making children’s books accessible to every child in the world by 2030. NABU’s diverse partnerships with government, education partners, and other nonprofit organizations support our efforts eradicating illiteracy for good.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is the world’s leading children’s charity, and has been since 1946.

Every day, UNICEF helps children realise their full potential by providing access to clean water, life-saving vaccines, quality education and health care. UNICEF works to ensure every child is safe and protected from harm and is always there during times of emergency.

Alongside its partners, UNICEF works with families, communities and local organisations in more than 190 countries to protect and advocate for children and young people. UNICEF does this by leveraging highly sophisticated infrastructure, economies of scale, and working in collaboration with local in-country partners to deliver for every child, no matter what.

At UNICEF Australia, we’re supporting UNICEF’s global ambition while ensuring every child in need, here in Australia and across the Asia Pacific region, is healthy, educated and safe.

Bloomberg Philanthropies works to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people by focusing on five key areas: the arts, education, the environment, government innovation, and public health.

Encompassing all of Mike Bloomberg’s giving, Bloomberg Philanthropies includes his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works with mayors in cities around the world.

NABU partnered up with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) on a special adaption of a COVID-19 Health Collection book. This book addresses the anxieties and fears that may arise among children, parents, and caregivers during the pandemic. This is collaboration came about after a study conducted by AKF in Kenya, finding that children feel that life won’t be the same. The book seeks to open up the conversation for a joint solution between parents and their children. The Aga Khan Foundation East Africa (AKF EA) mission is to assist the poorest and most marginalized in society, with a special focus on women, girls, children, and the youth so that they can achieve a level of self-reliance and improved quality of life.

Partners

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Helen Lawther to the NABU Global Board of Directors. Her extensive experience and passion make her a valuable addition to our team. Introduced to us by current board member, Sashi Valtz, Helen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in client relations and governance, particularly in the alternative investments and digital assets industry. Based in Lisbon, she’s eager to give back to causes she is passionate about.

Helen has formerly held investment fund and non-executive director positions, with a strong background in governance and compliance. Her expertise in these areas will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the complex landscape of global literacy initiatives. Helen's understanding of regulatory requirements, process improvements and control frameworks and her commitment to ethical business practices will ensure that NABU maintains the highest standards of integrity and transparency.

“NABU resonates deeply with my own personal experience of how the simple act of reading changes not only a childhood but an entire lifetime, yet reading is available to so few. Harnessing technology, particularly blockchain, to improve access to education is of great interest to me, and I am honored to contribute to NABU’s mission.”

We are delighted to welcome Helen to the NABU Global Board of Directors. Her dedication and commitment to making a difference in the world align perfectly with our values. Stay tuned for updates on Helen's contributions as we continue our journey to drive positive change through technology and literacy.

Welcoming Helen Lawther to the NABU Global Board of Directors

Today we are celebrating World Book Day, an internationally recognized holiday created by UNESCO 29 years ago today as a worldwide celebration of books and reading. Over 100 countries around the globe are sharing in this celebration of books and reading!

As we celebrate, we are also thinking of the millions of children right now inside makeshift refugee settlements, damaged classrooms and communities torn apart by war and disaster, who are desperately holding on to the hope that education will allow them to realize their dreams.

To honor these children and share their story, Education Cannot Wait (

) and NABU have joined efforts in developing the children’s book, 

Zaya's Dream, launched today to mark World Book Day, brings readers into young Zaya's world as she is forced to flee her home with her family, eventually finding new hope at a refugee camp learning center. Along her journey, Zaya learns to dream again. While Zaya is a fictional character, her story represents that of millions of children who have had their lives turned upside-down by crises. Zaya’s story is one of crisis, hope and determination.

At its core, education is a source of protection for the world’s most vulnerable children. That is why ECW, the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations, focuses on delivering quality education to refugees and other forcibly displaced children in its education investments in crises around the world. These ECW-funded holistic education programs are working to address the diverse needs of crisis-affected girls and boys like Zaya – not only improving academic outcomes, but also working with partners to provide mental health and psychosocial services, school meals, menstrual hygiene management support, teacher training and more.

Our aspiration is that this book provides a window into the experience of refugee children and fosters empathy among young readers worldwide. The tale of Zaya’s Dream has inspired a new collection of NABU stories that will reach millions of children who are in utmost need. The first books in this collection will be released late 2024.

Visit our 

 to read "Zaya's Dream" today!

Visit the ECW 

Empowering Dreams: Zaya's Story and the Impact of Education in Crisis

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Taylor Jean-Jacques to the NABU Global Board of Directors. Taylor's rise in the corporate world is a testament to her extraordinary leadership and dedication to the tech and finance sectors. Currently, she serves as an investment professional at General Atlantic where she invests in and advises growth stage companies in the technology sector. Taylor's background in computer science at Princeton University and experience at Facebook, Fidelity Investments and J.P. Morgan, brings a wealth of knowledge to our Board to help shape the future of NABU.

Taylor began her journey with NABU as an intern during the summer of 2014, supporting the team with fundraising, coding, and partnerships with schools, publishers, tablet manufacturers and more. During her second summer, she spent time with the team in Haiti introducing the e-library product to schools across the region. It was then that her passion for our mission was ignited: 

“During my time as an intern at NABU, I realized that through tech-enabled products and services, we can help solve the world's most important problems in a scalable and sustainable way. NABU is using the power of technology to help bridge the digital divide and bring literacy into the hands of those who need it most.”

Taylor’s family roots in Haiti also attracted her to NABU, as Haiti was one of NABU’s first program countries, where we began providing access to mother tongue books in 2013. Taylor has pride in her heritage and a deep commitment to giving back, not only to communities in Haiti, but worldwide. After interning at NABU and graduating from high school, Taylor attended Princeton University and studied computer science and psychology, a milestone celebrated by everyone on the NABU team at the time: 

“We are delighted to have been a part of Taylor’s early career, and now to have her serve NABU as a Board Member is an amazing testament to her commitment to our mission. With her technical background and at the cutting edge of investing in and building technology businesses now, we are excited to shape the future of NABU together,” said NABU CEO Tanyella Allison.

We look forward to leveraging Taylor's unique skill set and experiences as we continue our mission to drive positive change through technology. Join us in welcoming Taylor Jean-Jacques to the NABU Global Board of Directors as we embark on this exciting new chapter together.

Taylor Jean-Jacques Is Appointed to NABU Global Board of Directors

A conversation with mother tongue speakers in Kenya and Nairobi



International Mother Language Day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of embracing and preserving linguistic diversity. In a world where English often dominates the realms of commerce, education, and media, the significance of mother tongue can be overshadowed. However, for mother tongue speakers, this day is not just a celebration of language; it's an affirmation of identity, culture, and heritage. For those in societies where English is the primary language, understanding the importance of mother tongue languages may seem abstract. Yet, advocating for multilingual education is not merely about preserving linguistic variety; it's about fostering quality, inclusivity, and equity in education.

I spoke to some of our team at NABU to understand what mother tongue means to them. NABU’s Global Creative Fellowship Lead, Kate Wanjira, spoke her mother tongue of Kikuyu at home as a child, but lost it growing up in Nairobi where Swahili dominated. She is now re-learning her mother tongue: “I see my mate’s speaking their mother tongue with so much pride and happiness, with so much ease, and I envy them! I want to honor my language, honor where I come from, honor my people, honor my foremothers. I want to have an identity.”

Thecla Uzozie, who is based in Lagos, is an accomplished artist and writer for NABU, and she shared similar sentiments: “Your mother tongue does keep you rooted, it gives you this sense of identity. There is this sense of belonging - I am in this very big city, but I am not alone. It's a beautiful feeling, and I believe that is something that every single person should experience.”

Advocating for mother tongue language is essential, not just for the value of linguistic diversity itself, but for the profound impact language has on personal and collective identity. Language is a vessel for cultural expressions, traditions, and values. It connects us to our ancestry, shapes our way of thinking, and influences how we perceive the world. For individuals in communities where the mother tongue is different from the dominant language of their society, maintaining a connection to their native language is essential for feeling confident and grounded.

Multilingual education also stands as a key pillar of learning because it recognizes and values the linguistic heritage of every student. It builds bridges between home and school life, ensuring that learning is relevant and deeply connected to the students' lived experiences. As Kate shares, “There is clear research that says when a child reads in a mother tongue, it builds their ability to learn new languages. It expands their vocabulary, elevates their cognitive abilities like critical thinking and emotional intelligence. This process is made easy by them learning in a language that they easily understand, which is their mother tongue. So everything goes back to the mother tongue language.”

Moreover, multilingual education promotes inclusivity and equity. It challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to education and acknowledges the diverse linguistic backgrounds of students. 

According to the UN, mother tongue learning in early childhood is one of the most cost effective interventions in literacy, and is essential to achieve SDG 4 by 2030

. By integrating mother tongue languages into the curriculum, schools can provide more equitable learning opportunities, tailor education to meet the needs of all learners, and ultimately, improve educational outcomes.

The stories and voices of the local NABU team and users are powerful testimonies to the critical role of mother tongue in education. NABU staff are on the front lines, fighting for the fundamental right for children to access educational resources in a language that they speak and understand. Their experience and insights highlight the undeniable fact that language and culture are integral to quality education.

As we observe International Mother Language Day, let us advocate for a multilingual education system that respects and values the linguistic diversity of every student. Let's commit to creating learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and rooted in the rich tapestry of languages and cultures that define our global community. The urgency to focus on mother tongue and education is clear—it's time to ensure that every voice is heard, every language is celebrated, and every child has the opportunity to learn in a way that feels like home.

As one local NABU team member eloquently put it, "Our language is our soul. When education honors our mother tongue, it honors who we are at our very core."

Another colleague shared, "Learning in my mother tongue has made me feel seen and understood. It's like the education system is saying, 'You belong here, and your culture matters.'" These sentiments underscore the importance of mother tongue education in fostering a sense of belonging and self-assurance among students. It's not just about learning to read and write in one's native language; it's about validating the identity and heritage of every learner.

International Mother Language Day: Honor, Identity and Learning

NABU recently hosted its first-ever Haitian Creole Book Distribution Day within the vibrant community of Little Haiti in Miami, Florida, a milestone event that took place in collaboration with 

. This community-centric initiative was designed to promote literacy in the Haitian community, and included a range of engaging activities for guests to enjoy incorporating Haitian-inspired food and beverages, drum performances, coloring stations, and a Creole read-aloud of one of the printed books, “

”. Guests in attendance included over 60 children from Toussaint L'Ouverture Elementary School, HP’s Global Education Strategist Matias Matias, Sara Mansback with 

. The children were overwhelmed with excitement as they participated in the activities with our Creative Fellows, and even got to play inside a giant balloon globe.

, the event celebrated the distribution of 10,000 copies of NABU's Haitian Creole books to carefully selected community partners. These partners will integrate the books into their existing literacy programs, with 3,000 of those books being delivered directly to communities within Haiti, an effort we believe will have a ripple effect on our ongoing efforts to combat illiteracy within the Haitian diaspora.

"We are excited to work with our dozen partner schools in the city of Cap Haitien and the North Dept. of Haiti to get these great books into the hands of our students. We are thankful to the leaders of NABU and Partners in Literacy Haiti (PILH) for this amazing opportunity to partner together and maximize our collective resources!"

Rev. Dr. Laura Alexander Elliott, Missionary & Executive Director of Soaring Unlimited Haiti.

NABU has been a key player in the global publishing landscape, serving as a catalyst for the promotion of Haitian Creole literature since its inception in Haiti a decade ago. This event became a platform to showcase the exceptional talent of three titles created by Creative Fellows from the recent NABU Creative Fellowship. These inspiring individuals of Haitian descent collaborated to produce culturally relevant children's books, emerging as both published authors and illustrators. Additionally, one of the showcased books resulted from a special collaboration with the Haitian non-profit organization, 

. The distribution of these four books is a testament to NABU's commitment to enhancing literacy programs and benefiting children and families within the local Haitian diaspora.


NABU's Haitian Creole Book Distribution Day celebrated collaboration, community engagement, and the power of literacy. Through events like these, NABU continues its commitment to furthering our mission of providing every child with equitable access to literacy by 2030. Together, we're turning the page and eradicating illiteracy, one book at a time!

Alongside the printed copies, all of the books distributed are also available for free within the 

NABU hosts first-ever Haitian Creole Book Distribution event in Miami

With great joy and anticipation, NABU, in partnership with HP, unveiled our third global Creative Lab. Our newest NABU HP Creative Lab is nestled in the heart of downtown Manila, Philippines within the children’s museum, 

. This beautiful and vibrant space will now become a hub for local artists and young readers. More than just a physical space, the HP Creative Lab in Manila represents a transformative force, offering a convening place for artists, illustrators, writers, and translators who share a passion for children's stories. These creative minds will come together to produce enchanting children’s books, each book a stepping stone toward NABU's mission to eradicate illiteracy worldwide.

This NABU HP Creative Lab has a special focus on the Filipino community. In the Lab, we will provide training for Filipino artists and authors giving them the skills to succeed professionally. Work done in the Lab will expand NABU's collection of Philippines mother tongue books, currently available in Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bicolano, Maranao, and Hiligaynon, with over 130 stories available for free on the NABU App.

This location marks the first NABU HP Creative Lab in Asia, with other Labs in Kigali, Miami, and Nigeria. According to Tanyella Allison, CEO and Co-Creator of NABU, the NABU HP Creative Lab merges the allure of storytelling with the potential of the digital age, cultivating creativity in an era dominated by technology.

Not only does the lab open its doors to creatives, but it also welcomes young, curious minds eager to explore the magic of storytelling. For children visiting Museo Pambata, it's an opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of creativity, engage in arts and crafts activities, participate in captivating Read Aloud sessions, and gain insights into the art of crafting storybooks. With the help of the latest HP technology, local artists will empower Filipino children to see themselves and their lives reflected in the pages of the stories they read.

Christian Edmond Reyes, Managing Director of HP Philippines, emphasized that,

“The NABU HP Creative Lab was born out of a shared vision to preserve and celebrate Filipino stories and increase access to literacy resources for the local community. This space provides a unique opportunity for present and future generations to connect with the rich local heritage through enriching learning activities, strengthening the bond between creativity, culture, and literacy.”

Fostering Creativity, Empowering Young Minds:  Introducing the NABU HP Creative Lab in Manila

When was the last time you went back to your former school to do voluntary work? Well the NABU - EFAC Literacy champions decided to do exactly that. From western Kenya all the way to NorthEastern, scholars under the 

 program gathered in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, to join the first cohort as Literacy Champions.

Having finished their Secondary School education and waiting for the chance to advance to University, the eager scholars took this window to engage in Community Service. The Literacy Champions grouped together to find ways to nurture the love for reading in the young minds of learners in their former schools.

The NABU - EFAC Literacy Champions embarked on a remarkable challenge – to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for schools within their communities. What they uncovered was a startling reality – a significant number of primary schools lacked libraries. Armed with determination and a sense of purpose, these champions were divided into 15 groups and reached out to 72 schools in their hometowns, many of which they themselves had attended. The outcome was transformative – they established 30 school-based reading clubs, breathing life into spaces where imaginations could flourish.

One of the cornerstones of their approach was the utilization of the NABU App, a tool that proved to be revolutionary in their mission. The app, equipped with enchanting tales, became an instant hit. The magical stories, available for offline reading, captured the young reader’s hearts, transcending language barriers with its rich variety of Kiswahili and English stories. The highlight of the week was the eagerly awaited two-hour reading sessions held every Friday.

Reflecting on the impact, an EFAC scholar shared, "Teachers in the school I was doing Community Service in, always told me that the pupils got really excited whenever they would hear that there would be a reading session. Some of the stories from the books are aligned with some of the topics being taught in class like the family tree." This sentiment underlines the remarkable resonance between the reading clubs and the school curriculum, enhancing learning beyond textbooks.

Teacher Vigilance from the New Hope Education Centre echoed this sentiment, saying, "My first interaction with the NABU App, I didn't understand it but after reading the stories, I found that it was very resourceful for our learners to improve their reading habits. I have seen growth since the Literacy Champions started coming to our school." The impact is incredible – the collaboration between the champions and educators has created an ecosystem that nurtures a lifelong love for reading.

The message from Cohort 1 of the NABU - EFAC Literacy Champions is a call to young people to give back to their communities in any way possible even if it appears small. It's a message that underscores the idea that investing in the growth and well-being of our communities is an investment in a brighter future for all.

Celebrating NABU - EFAC Literacy Champions: Igniting a love for reading

NABU’s Leadership Team in Nairobi, Kenya

The sunny skies in Nairobi, Kenya provided the perfect backdrop for NABU’s global team visit to Kwa Njenga Primary School. Nestled in the heart of Nairobi’s Eastlands Area, Kwa Njenga Primary has a population of nearly 2,000 learners and is run by the local government. The school is the heartbeat of the area as it serves learners from the nearby Kwa Njenga slums, which is a low income settlement.

Despite the local economic status, the community remains resilient in its efforts to champion education. The residents protect the school environment ensuring the students have a safe place to learn.


There was excitement in the air as the NABU team made its way to the classroom where they were immersed in a learning experience with grade 2 and grade 5 pupils. First to warm up and get to know each other better, we engaged in fun icebreaker games that got our blood flowing. Next, one of the teachers - a NABU Literacy Champion, Teacher Josephine Koima, read for us a beautiful story from the Kiswahili library titled: 

 Team members and pupils alike paid special attention as we journeyed through the land of these mysterious people.


It was time to test our understanding of the story, and we quickly formed groups to see who could find the most words in the shortest time possible in an engaging crossword search puzzle. In a fun, but mostly competitive way, we were able to secure three winners, with the groups each receiving a special gift of a NABU book cover which they could display in their classrooms.

Mauro Daez, NABU Philippines Country Manager

It was such a beautiful experience, I love seeing the reactions of the kids. You can tell that they like hearing these original stories and they know that they can relate to the characters and the stories

”, Said Mauro Daez, NABU Philippines Country Manager.

Just before the team left, there was one last round of fun and games. This time, Teacher Esther Gacigi, who is also a NABU Literacy Champion, introduced a game that tested our concentration, memory and response skills. Team members let loose as they tried to keep up with the children and the teachers instructions that left us all in stitches. What a powerful way to end an amazing afternoon spent with the children who are being impacted on a daily basis through the NABU App, a reading tool that has enriched and opened new doors for storytelling time at Kwa Njenga Primary School. This is a true reflection of the community being NABU’s source for creativity.

NABU Team’s Kwa Njenga School Visit

NABU, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest Creative Fellowship program based in Miami. This 12-week program is specially designed for early-career artists of Haitian heritage who aspire to become writers or illustrators. The fellowship provides an incredible opportunity to improve their skills while contributing to early childhood literacy.

During the program, fellows will receive specialized training and a stipend to create bilingual literature in Haitian Creole and English for children between the ages of 0-10 years old. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for books in Haitian Creole in Florida and beyond. Many families and schools have reported a lack of reading materials to support literacy development for English as a Second Language (ESL) children, which is a gap that the NABU Creative Fellowship program aims to fill.

NABU has a proven track record of training over 150 creatives since its establishment in 2013. Currently, the organization is providing free access to books to over five million children globally. The Miami Creative Fellowship is set to provide Haitian Creole-speaking children with high-quality literature to help them develop their reading skills.

The NABU HP Creative Lab, located inside the African Heritage Cultural Arts Centre, will be the hub for the fellowship program. Here, the fellows will have access to state-of-the-art devices provided by HP Inc. The NABU Creative team will lead a comprehensive curriculum to develop the fellows' writing and illustrating skills.

Fellows will have an opportunity to be published in collaboration with NABU's major publishing partners for selected works., as well as receive a $2,000 stipend.

The NABU Creative Writing & Illustration Fellowship in Miami is open to early-stage professionals of Haitian heritage. Aspiring illustrators must have experience in digital drawing, while storytellers need to have some writing experience, and fluency in Haitian Creole is preferred.

Applications for the fellowship program are now open and will close on May 21st. The program will begin on Thursday, June 8th, and will meet twice a week for the 12-week duration of the fellowship. Interested candidates can follow the instructions on the 

The NABU Creative Fellowship program is an excellent opportunity for early-career Haitian artists to improve their skills while contributing to early childhood literacy. The program aims to fill the gap in reading materials for ESL children in Florida and globally, and selected fellows will have access to state-of-the-art devices, a stipend, and opportunities for publishing. If you are an early-stage professional of Haitian heritage, don't miss this chance to 

 for the fellowship program and make a meaningful impact in children's lives.

NABU's Creative Fellowship Launches in Miami

“I do not own a TV, I prefer reading over watching television” -Jeanette

Jeanette is a volunteer Teacher at a local government school in Kenya. Jeanette is extremely passionate about helping children and being a positive role model for them. Jeanette actively exposes her students to opportunities that build on their skills beyond school work. Jeanette recently launched a book club at Kileleshwa Primary School and has adopted NABU into her reading sessions. She has started a WhatsApp group with local parents where they discuss the books on the app and how parents are influential in ensuring their children are reading beyond curriculum material.

Due to the lack of devices available, Jeanette empowers each child with a turn to read a book in front of the class during her classroom’s reading hour, this allows all students to listen and learn from the stories. Jeanette believes that consistent exposure to reading will not only improve their reading skills but also their confidence.

The WhatsApp group has been growing and thriving since its inception and has since been a glue holding this class and community together. We love hearing stories like this and seeing the powerful impact that reading can have on a community.

We are working with local and global markets to learn how we can get more devices in the hands of children in Kenya to help lighten the burden of their biggest obstacle on the road to eradicating illiteracy. Will you join us? 

On the Ground in Kenya, an Inspiring Story of a Teacher’s Book Club!

International Women’s Day is a worldwide celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. This day also serves as a rallying cry for greater gender equality. Worldwide, there is considerable activity as people come together to celebrate women’s accomplishments or to advocate for women’s equality.

, is celebrated annually on March 8th, and is one of the most important days of the year to honor women’s accomplishments, increase awareness of women’s equality, advocate for gender parity as soon as possible, and raise funds for female-focused charities.

The theme of International Women’s Day 2022 is:

“Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

, the theme for 2022 is about “recognizing the contribution of women and girls all over the world who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response to build a more sustainable future for all.” On this day, NABU is honoring and recognizing all women, and given the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the journey of our CEO, Tanyella Allison.

NABU was founded in New York City on the 11th of June, 2013, and in June of the following year, NABU co-creator Tanyella Allison was awarded the Echoing Green Fellowship. A prestigious fellowship that helps to accelerate early-stage social ventures that have the potential for world-changing impact, this was a turning point for NABU. The fellowship provided further funding and a community of support to help Tanyella and her co-creators build and grow NABU. NABU’s latest achievement at the end of 2021, was reaching 1 Million Users on our low bandwidth reading 

 Multilingual kids book app, which currently distributes over 2,000 original stories in mother tongue languages. 1 Million users is not just a number, it represents each and every individual child and family member who has experienced the magic of the stories shared on the NABU platform.

Celebrate International Women’s Day with us! Use your own platforms to speak up for and celebrate the women around you in your life who are leading the charge on making a difference one day at a time for a better tomorrow!

International Women's Day: Tanyella Allison

The week of 7th of February, we celebrated Children’s Mental Health week.

The theme for this year was “Growing Together”, one that deeply resonates with NABU’s mission.

A child’s ability to read and write, to develop basic cognitive skills which also links to the growth of their core personalities, their emotional intelligence and social skills and what we are also currently collectively experiencing today with all that is happening around the black lives matter movement and the asian hate crimes – the relationship with their own cultures is so pivotal to develop healthy and positive relationships with other cultures.

Children’s books are the bricks that are needed to help build the bridge into the future and create strong, healthy and caring citizens of the world.

Research has shown that ‘Children who are the most engaged with literacy are three times more likely to have higher levels of mental wellbeing than children who are the least engaged’ [1]. Without books children are robbed of the opportunity to show up in this world as contributors and participate in their authentic self in this rapidly changing environment. 

There are many ways a child can gain a build and gain confidence with books! Through a story book, children can learn how to recognise what is happening inside them as they use the power of empathy with the characters. This builds confidence through discovering and gaining perspective in different contexts and situations ! Books also play a healing role by creating a safe space for children who experience trauma in their early environment, life challenges and difficulties. Through a book, they can explore their emotions and vulnerability and learn how to self regulate their emotions.

In NABU culturally relevant story books and learning about their own culture and different cultures, children learn to connect and better understand themselves, people around them and gain greater understanding of their sense of belonging. They become more aware of the richness and vastness of their own culture which opens their eyes to other cultures and their potential in the world.

Mother tongue and native-language instruction is the most cost-effective intervention in early-grade literacy and helps children reap the benefits of education. Our mission is to eradicate illiteracy by delivering mother tongue books into the hands of children all over the world! 

Share the gift of reading through one of our stories with a child in your life by Downloading the NABU app, or purchasing one of our beautiful books:

 is a story showcasing the magic of a young child’s imagination. This level 2 Kinyarwanda book is perfect for early readers as it features consistent vocabulary and introduces children to a plot line with multiple characters and emotions, foundational to children achieving basic literacy skills.

 is a story filled with the wonders of immersing ourselves in mother nature and our environment. This level 3 Kinyarwanda collection book is the perfect introduction to storybooks and includes larger vocabulary words, morals or lessons, multiple characters and is foundational to children achieving basic literacy skills. This level 3 Kinyarwanda collection book is the perfect introduction to independent reading and includes more complex content and multiple characters with thoughts, dialogue and feeling, foundational to children achieving basic literacy skills.

 co-authored by top model Jessica Michibata.

The story explores how racism and xenophobia affects Asian-American children. Inspired by the experiences of Jessica Michibata growing up, and now seeing her daughter grow up as Asian American. We hope that this book will help children who encounter racism to not feel alone!

https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/mental-wellbeing-reading-and-writing/

Kidd, D., & Castano, E. (2019). Reading Literary Fiction and Theory of Mind: Three Preregistered Replications and Extensions of Kidd and Castano (2013). Social Psychological and Personality Science, 10(4), 522–531. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550618775410

Vezzali, L., Stathi, S., Giovannini, D., Capozza, D., & Trifiletti, E. (2015). The greatest magic of Harry Potter: Reducing prejudice. 

Children’s Mental Health Week – “Growing together”

Meet Ingabire D’amour, who is a single mother and lives in Masoro. Masoro is located just about an hour north of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. Ingabire is currently raising two lovely girls, her daughter Akaliza Melodia and her niece Teta Queen.

Ingabire, who is very passionate about education, often visits the Masoro Learning Centre. During one of such visits she met a NABU reading ambassador, who introduced her to the reading application. The ambassador helped her to install the app and gave her tips on how to continuously engage her young ones with it. As the only parent to two young girls, she was excited to learn that she can access many digital books through her phone without making many trips to the community library.

“A NABU representative told me that there is a reading application for children, and they helped me to install it on my phone. I was happy to know that because before,I was anxious that my children wouldn’t like reading while it was a culture I grew up with.” -Igambire

Ingabire who has been using the NABU App with her children for a while now notes that she has seen a shift in their attitude towards reading as well as their academic performance.

“Before my children encountered the App, they were barely interested in reading, but now anytime they come from school, they ask me for my phone to continue reading where they left off,” she added.

Ingabire, who engages in small-scale farming, adds that before she did not spend a lot of time with the children because she did not have any activities they could do together. But now that she has the NABU App on her phone, she sets aside time to read with her young ones.

“NABU brought me closer to my children when I read the books or when they tell me what they read on the app, which makes me feel engaged with their daily life and education. I would like my neighbors or people to know the importance of teaching children how to read when they are still young because it is beneficial,” she said

The two girls are full of life. They are quite adventurous, playful and have smiles that will melt your heart. Akaliza Melodia, who is eight year old, would like to be a leader when she grows up. She tells us that she wants to help people in her community and be a good example to other children.

“I like reading NABU stories with my mother because it makes reading more enjoyable, but I also read by myself sometimes. Out of all the stories I read on the NABU app, the story of Matwi interests me more because he respects his parents,” 

Teta Queen on the other hand is nine years old and her dream is to be a doctor. She wants to help people by treating them when they are sick. Her favourite book is “Furaha Saves the Farm” on the NABU app because Furaha helps her grandfather bring back bees to his dry farm.

“When I am with my colleagues, I share different stories that I read on the NABU app, and when I share them, It helps me memorize,” Teta said.


The NABU team visited Ingabire, Akaliza and Teta at home and shared beautiful moments.

Together with our partnership with HP we have reached over 1.2 million children so far and together we are developing the HP Creative Lab in Rwanda, where over 200 African authors and illustrators will be trained each year to create beautiful high-quality early grade stories in mother tongue languages, providing an essential bridge to literacy!

Mother of two's visit to the library leads to an encounter with NABU

Award Winning Non-Profit NABU Partners with HP and Super Model Jessica Michibata to Publish New Children’s Storybook on Anti-Xenophobia

NABU, an award-winning non-profit with a mission to solve the global literacy crisis, has collaborated with HP and Jessica Michibata, a Japanese and Argentinian supermodel to develop a story about racial tolerance in light of growing hate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The story is inspired by Jessica’s own childhood and features a young Japanese-American girl named Rachel, who leads us on a journey of self acceptance and belonging as she navigates bullying at her school.

 promotes the power of self-compassion and true belonging through finding real value and strength within. In partnership with HP, the I Love Being Me! print book is now available for purchase globally on online book retailers, to support NABU’s ongoing mission with proceeds going to support efforts to distribute these stories globally. NABU is encouraging anyone to submit a translation in their own mother tongue through their website.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this project. I have a 4-year-old daughter so this opportunity could not have come to me at a better time. Growing up I just wanted to blend in, and I wish I had someone when I was younger to tell me that It was ok to be me.”

In a world where many children do not see themselves reflected in the pages of their books, NABU leverages books like 

 to address the diversity gap in publishing that impacts a child’s health and cognitive development. Only 11 percent of children’s books in the past 25 years have featured any kind of multicultural content, even though over 50 percent of children in the US identify as non-white.

 ,the second in the HP partnership series, with 

 being the first, is currently available in English, Japanese and Mandarin, and will be distributed digitally for free on NABU’s recently updated App – “NABU: Multilingual books for children” to children in developing countries where books are incredibly scarce and desired. HP is partnering with NABU on this series as part of its goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. It’s also one of the ways HP is responding to the growing anti-Asian hate crimes globally.

NABU is a non-profit organization, with a mission to solve the global literacy crisis so that every child can read and rise to their full potential. We disrupt the cycle of poverty by leveraging technology to publish children’s books for free on digital platforms in mother tongue languages.

Jessica Michibata is an international model, author, and spokesperson. Having graced the covers of hundreds of magazines in Asia as Japan’s top model, she has been featured in campaigns for Evian and Shiseido. She has supported UNHCR, Just Giving, NABU, and other nonprofit organizations throughout thee career. Jessica now leads a bicontinental lifestyle between her hometown Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Hawai with her family.

HP Inc. is a technology company that believes one thoughtful idea has the power to change the world. Its product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions helps bring these ideas to life. Visit 

Tokyo Art Office is an art consultancy firm inspiring a new generation of art collectors.

NABU Publishes “I Love Being Me!” A must read story for every child about belonging and self love.

In partnership with HP and Award Winning Non-Profit Girl Rising, NABU
publishes a new book that explores universal themes of gender roles.

NABU today announced the availability of a new book 

 The book was created with award-winning girls education non-profit, 

 and, HP, as part of HP’s goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. Go Stella Go! explores the universal themes of gender roles and stereotypes, highlighting the critical role that boys play in acknowledging gender-based discrimination.

NABU’s focus is on creating books that uplift children around the world and focus on stories with characters developing resilience, combating gender discrimination, and empowering girls to educate their communities. Go Stella Go! is the first in a series of collaborations with HP and Girl Rising. With this partnership, the mission aims to jumpstart a movement to support the creation of locally- created mother tongue books highlighting key issues for 250 million underserved children. Forty percent of children worldwide do not have access to books in their native language, even though native-language instruction is the most cost-effective intervention in early-grade literacy, helping children to reap the benefits of education.

 is now available in print for purchase globally on online book retailers. Proceeds of the book go to supporting NABU’s ongoing mission of distributing these stories globally. NABU is encouraging anyone to submit a translation in their own mother tongue through their website.

Go Stella Go! Is currently available in English and Swahili and will be distributed digitally for free on NABU’s recently updated App – “NABU: Multilingual books for children” to children in developing countries where books are incredibly scarce and desired.

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