The Books Children Can Read and Enjoy – Marvel Hero Acts Supporting Education

In Nepal, there is a gap in reading materials for children who speak different mother tongues at home. Furthermore, children who are just beginning to read, ranging from ages three to seven, require varied reading material according to their level, need, interest, and skill. Stepping on these needs in the reading skill and materials, Save the Children’s Marvel Heroes Act Supporting Education project worked with around 40 Nepali illustrators and 80 writers to create 72 titles for children (67 of which are featured on the Resource Centre). These books, written in Maithali, Awadhi, Tharu, and Nepali, cater to children who speak these languages at home. This set also includes books in braille and stories that inform children about disaster risk reduction. With these storybooks, we aim to minimize the gap of level-appropriate reading materials for emergent readers. Most importantly, we are encouraging children to become readers – to enjoy and understand what they are reading. The books use interesting illustration and storytelling methods to peak children’s imagination and draw them into the world of reading. With the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and Centre for Education and Human Resource Development (CEHRD) on board, the project is ultimately expected to contribute to the Government’s National Early Grade Reading Program’s ambition to turn our children into readers.