We're thrilled to announce that our May newsletter is now available, packed with exciting news, industry insights, spotlights, upcoming events, opportunities, and more! Each edition is curated to offer insightful and inspiring content for educators, parents, authors, illustrators, and all enthusiasts of children's books. Access the newsletter here . Join us each month as we explore and celebrate the diverse world of African children's books. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected, informed, and inspired.

Naïma SOULAIMANA At the International Book Fair of Abidjan, Christian Elongué sat down with Naïma SOULAIMANA , the director of "PARADIS DES LIVRES" bookshop, based in the Comoros Islands. In this interview, SOULAIMANA shared insights into her journey, the obstacles faced by the local book industry, and her vision for the future. From Personal Need to Public Service Naïma SOULAIMANA ’s path to becoming a bookseller was unexpected. She explained that her mother established the "Paradis des Livres" bookshop in Moroni, Comoros, out of necessity. Decades ago, there were no local bookstores, and parents struggled to obtain textbooks for their children. They resorted to importing books from France, a challenging and inefficient process. Recognizing a widespread need, her mother decided to open a bookshop, initially focusing on schoolbooks and later expanding to children’s literature. SOULAIMANA took over the bookshop seven years ago, transforming it into a specialized establishment catering to young readers. Her involvement has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the book distribution challenges in the Comoros. Challenges in Book Distribution Naïma SOULAIMANA highlighted the primary challenge in the Comoros: the necessity to import all books, whether local or international. Most Comorian publishing houses are based abroad, primarily in France, and print their books there. This dependence on imports significantly affects the local book economy. Books become expensive due to high import costs, including freight and customs duties. For instance, a book bought for 2 euros can end up costing two to three times more by the time it reaches the consumer. This makes books a luxury item, affordable mainly for mandatory school textbooks, with little room for recreational reading. Lessons from SILA and Other Countries During her time at International Book Fair of Abidjan (SILA), SOULAIMANA observed several practices from other countries that could benefit the Comoros. She noted that in Madagascar, imported books are not taxed, allowing for a more flexible and affordable book market. In contrast, the Comoros imposes taxes on books, driving up prices and limiting access.She also mentioned Senegal’s local book chain, which integrates authors, publishers, printers, and distributors. This local production system reduces costs and supports the local economy. SOULAIMANA sees the potential for the Comoros to develop a similar model but acknowledges the added complexity of being an island nation with logistical challenges. Advocacy and Future Aspirations SOULAIMANA expressed the need for an organized association to advocate for the book industry in the Comoros. She has been contemplating the formation of a book trade association that would include writers, publishers, booksellers, and possibly printers. Such an association could work towards professionalizing the industry, ensuring quality standards, and advocating for policy changes like tax exemptions on books.Despite the challenges, SOULAIMANA remains optimistic about the future. She emphasized the importance of South-South collaboration and learning from other African nations. Highlighting the cultural relevance of local stories, she advocates for content that resonates with Comorian children’s experiences and environments. Naïma SOULAIMANA ’s dedication to the "Paradis des Livres" bookshop and the broader book industry in the Comoros is evident. Her efforts to overcome the significant challenges of book importation and distribution demonstrate a commitment to making literature accessible. As she continues to push for industry reforms and collaborations, there is hope that the Comoros will develop a more robust and affordable book market, enriching the cultural and educational landscape for future generations. Listen to the podcast here .

In London, an extraordinary young girl has captured the hearts of many with her remarkable achievements and philanthropic spirit. Sarah Thathokuhle Afua Kittoe, an 11-year-old British girl of African descent, is making headlines for her commendable literary contributions and dedication to helping those in need.Sarah, the eldest child of Albert Nenyi Kwamena Kittoe from Ghana and Nozipho Kittoe from South Africa, began her writing journey at seven. Raised with solid family values rooted in Christian teachings, Sarah embodies love for God, care for humanity, hard work, and self-confidence. These principles have driven her to excel as a young author and become an inspiration to others. Early Beginnings and Literary Achievements The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 marked the beginning of Sarah's literary career. By the age of nine, she had already published her first three books: " The Friendship Club ," " Linsey and the Blue Fox ," and " Sarah Kittoes Colouring Book ." Recently, she added "Ama and the Lost Key " to her repertoire.Sarah's stories, filled with adventure and moral lessons, captivate young readers and inspire kindness. Her talent and dedication have earned her global recognition, with media outlets like BBC, SkyNews, and MSN featuring her story. A Heart for Philanthropy Sarah's commitment to philanthropy sets her apart. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to charity. Inspired by her parents, who gave gifts to Croydon homeless people during Christmas, Sarah developed a passion for helping the less fortunate. In London, Sarah supports two main charities: Centrepoint , chaired by Prince William, which rehabilitates youth with challenging backgrounds, and the Wednesday Club of the Croydon Methodist Church, which provides groceries and clothing to homeless individuals. Her contributions have significantly impacted on these organizations. A Vision for Education Sarah's philanthropic efforts extend beyond the UK. During her first visit to Ghana in 2023, she visited her father's alma mater, Saint Paul's Methodist Preparatory School in Tema. Disturbed by the school's library's state, she acted. Within six months, she raised funds to provide 20 new desktop computers and accessories for their e-library and computer lab. Additionally, she shipped 13 boxes of books to enhance the school's library resources.Sarah aims to improve educational opportunities for children in Ghana and hopes to replicate this project across Africa. Her dedication to this cause is unwavering, and her efforts have already begun to transform lives. A Role Model for the Future Sarah's story is an attestation to the power of compassion and determination. Despite her young age, she remains focused on her goal to "write away homelessness." She finds fulfillment in giving and prioritizing others' needs over personal gain. Her humility and dedication make her a role model for her younger sister, Mary, and children and adults worldwide.Sarah Afua Kittoe is not just a young author but a shining example of what can be achieved with compassion and determination. Her story inspires us to look beyond ourselves and help those in need. Read more about Sarah here. Listen to the podcast here .

Dear Muna Kalati Community, Welcome to the June Edition of the Muna Kalati Newsletter! We're excited to share the latest updates, insights, and opportunities in the world of African children's books. Our newsletter is curated to offer insightful and inspiring content for educators, parents, authors, illustrators, and all enthusiasts of children’s books. In this edition, you will find: 📰 NEWS : The latest developments and announcements. 🔍 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS : Trends shaping African children's literature. 🌟 SPOTLIGHTS : Profiles of inspiring authors, illustrators, and publishers. 📚 OPPORTUNITIES : Grants, contests, and more. 💡 TIPS : Practical advice for educators, parents, and book enthusiasts. 📜 FUN FACTS : Intriguing facts about African literature. 📖 BOOK LIST : Recommended reads for young readers. 🛠️ OUR SERVICES : How Muna Kalati supports the African literary community. Join us each month as we explore and celebrate the diverse world of African children’s books. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected, informed, and inspired. Thank you for being a part of the Muna Kalati community. We hope you find this edition informative and inspiring. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please reach out to us at communication@munakalati.org Happy reading! Access the Newsletter Here Subcribe To Our Newsletter Now !

“Connect destiny with passion, and it leads to an outburst of impact stories” Context Let's Read & Write, a journey that began with two pupils aged 5 and 7 years in 2014 at Kojokrom did not fail to grow. It found moments and instances to give joy and hope to learners who want to excel in reading and writing. Let’s Read & Write shaped the creativity of young readers and instilled in them a love for reading stories. Despite the challenges, the zeal and the unflinching support remain to see the vision of Let’s Read and Write realised. Being motivated by the joy of helping a reader read and write, there came the opportunity to join a team of researchers in a data collection project from May 20 to May 28, 2024, at Saltpond.  Readers from Primary five, six and Junior High School (JHS 1) were assessed on reading levels and comprehension. This write-up chronicles the report on the data collection project at Saltpond, emphasising the implications for content and engagement for the Readopia app, which is targeted at one of its personas, the learner/readers. Connection Research shows that being good at reading helps learners learn a lot, think better, and communicate well, especially when they are young. However, a lot of children have challenges reading well. To develop the love of reading among children at an early age, Let’s Read and Write, a Reading Initiative, was established in 2014. With the understanding of how essential reading is to achieving success in school and growing as a person, I began to dedicate my time to helping children aged 5-7 to read. As the years went by, the target learners were extended to include children from 7 to 12. This initiative paved the way for me to join a team of researchers working for Radboud University on a Project called Reading Beyond Borders. This is a 2-year project in reading among learners of selected schools in Saltpond, Central Region of Ghana. It evaluates learners and provides role linguistic skills that can help them learn to read both the indigenous language and English. About 320 children from three schools were assessed in 10 reading and language skill tasks. Complications The observations from the exercise showed that learners come in different degrees and with varying levels of comprehension. The geographical setting of learners presents challenges to some learners and advantages to others. Yet no one should be denied the development learners deserve based on their geographical location. The shock between perceived assumption and the reality of the issue. There were instances where, according to a learner's level, we expected learners to be able to perform certain reading tasks, which failed. Indigenous language as a cultural tool is not preserved and projected, making learners not realizing its value for an African child. Implications for Readopia App Readopia would make provisions to cater to different learners' needs. Therefore, for each of the three personas of which the learner is one, a different level should be provided for the child to select the category that he or she may fall into. Levels would include accessible, medium/intermediate, and advanced modes. A personalized feature is needed for every level to accommodate the different learning modes of the categories of learners. Also, it would consider different abilities. There were instances where we encountered children with special needs, and for these people, we needed or had to extend their time, be more patient with them, or even reissue the instructions several times. The mother tongue language is essential for comprehending reading tasks in English. Language setting should be critical, and this should be one of the unique features that makes Readopia stand out from its competitors. The app includes the local language. Some of the stories can be written in the local language or translated from English or French into the local language. In terms of content, there should be stories that unconsciously create awareness of the environment, cultural heritage, self, and other issues that children within the age range that we are targeting would appreciate because that would attract and gain their interest in reading more. An interactive or live session where readers can engage with after a live session of reading and also can allow readers to ask questions needs to be added. Lastly, there should be a sort of reward system that records progress made and celebrates achievements as that boosts the readers. When readers know that they have achieved a goal or there is a reward system to celebrate to recognize their efforts, it will always encourage them to strive to be celebrated. Conclusion Implanting the habit of reading in young readers can transform society for the better. It is a heartwarming opportunity to support young readers in their reading skills. Our app will serve over a million readers, and providing this excellent service will make a significant impact. By Scortia Quansah Research and Publication Officer Muna Kalati

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Muna Kalati July Newsletter Welcome to the July edition of Muna Kalati's eNewsletter, your comprehensive source for the latest updates in African children's literature. This month, we are thrilled to introduce Readopia , an upcoming app that promises to be a game-changer for African children's book publishers. Our eNewsletter also features an Author Spotlight on Delali Avemega, a talented illustrator and author from Ghana, whose work continues to inspire and engage young readers. Explore our curated Book List of top African children's books, discover interesting Fun Facts about Ethiopia's ancient Ge'ez writing system, and tune in to our MK Podcast for insightful conversations with industry experts. Plus, stay informed about key literary events happening across the continent in August. Stay engaged with the world of African children's literature by reading our full newsletter here .

Hilma Weber’ s  remarkable journey from a successful career in tourism to becoming a passionate advocate for early childhood development (ECD) and a children’s book author is a story of purpose, empathy, and a deep desire for change. Born and raised in a small village in northern Namibia, Hilma grew up without access to many basic resources, including books. Despite these challenges, her early life experiences would eventually lay the foundation for her transition from the tourism industry to the world of literature, where she now focuses on empowering disadvantaged children across her homeland.  After years of dedication in the tourism sector, where she rose to the position of senior human resource executive, Hilma  made a life-changing decision. Following the birth of her son, she chose to leave her corporate career behind. "I always wanted to be a full-time mother," she reflected, acknowledging the pivotal nature of that moment. However, her departure from the business world was not simply an end but the beginning of a new and fulfilling chapter.  During a visit to an informal settlement in Namibia with the Development Workshop Namibia , an organisation dedicated to sanitation and community development, Hilma  had an eye-opening experience. She was struck by the vast disparity between the early learning opportunities available to her own child and those accessible to children living in these settlements. This experience ignited a deep passion within her to address the inequalities many children face, particularly regarding education. As she reflected on her own childhood, she said, “The stories of these children resonated with mine.”  Motivated by this encounter, Hilma  began her journey into ECD. What started with her collecting children’s books and organising reading sessions soon blossomed into something far greater. She founded the " Play for All " program, an initiative dedicated to providing educational resources, teacher training, and children's books to underserved communities. Partnering with organisations like UNICEF, Hilma  mobilised donors and resources to bring her vision to life, ensuring that children in informal settlements received the educational support they needed.  At the core of Hilma’s mission is a profound belief in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty and inequality. “Inequality starts the day children are born,” she emphasised, pointing out that children in informal settlements are just as intelligent and capable as their more privileged counterparts, yet they lack the resources to fully realise their potential. This understanding fueled her desire to write children’s books that reflect African realities, giving young readers a sense of pride in their heritage and culture.  Among her notable works  is the Children’s Picture Atlas   of Namibia , which helps young Namibian readers connect with their country’s geography. Hilma believes that exposing children to literature that celebrates their own cultures is essential in countering the dominance of Western content. Her books, rich in African history and stories, serve as a bridge between past and future generations.  Hilma Weber’s  inspiring shift from tourism to children’s literature reinforces her strong commitment to creating a more equitable future for African children. Through her writing and advocacy, she continues to make a significant impact, ensuring that every child, no matter their background, can thrive and succeed.  Watch the discussion here .  Listen to the conversation .

[ Accra, Ghana – September 24, 2024] Muna Kalati, a leading organisation dedicated to enhancing access to African children’s books and increasing the visibility of children’s book professionals, is proud to announce its rebranding as it evolves into an innovative EdTech platform. This rebranding marks a pivotal moment in Muna Kalati’s journey, underscored by a fresh new logo, a broader scope of services, and the upcoming launch of the Muna Kalati App.  From Website to EdTech Startup: A Brief History   Founded to promote African children’s literature, Muna Kalati initially operated as a website providing information on children’s books and industry professionals across Africa. Over time, it became clear that addressing literacy challenges required more than information sharing. In response, Muna Kalati has transitioned into an EdTech startup, leveraging technology to offer diverse educational resources and tools to improve African children's literacy outcomes.  New Identity, Same Mission   While Muna Kalati’s visual identity has changed, its core mission remains the same: to build courage and confidence in African children through culturally relevant resources. The organisation has expanded its offerings to include educational content in multiple formats, such as e-books, audiobooks, and animated cartoons. The rebrand highlights Muna Kalati’s commitment to creating a more engaging and inclusive learning environment for children, educators, and parents alike.  Muna Kalati Agency: Supporting African Creative of Children resources & content   The Muna Kalati Agency , a key component of the organisation’s transformation, provides a comprehensive platform for African children’s book professionals. The agency offers resources, networking opportunities, and business development support through subscription-based membership packages for authors, illustrators, and publishers. The goal is to give African children access to stories that reflect their cultures and languages and ensure that African literary professionals can thrive in a competitive global market.  The Muna Kalati App: A New Era in Digital Literacy   The soon-to-be-released Muna Kalati App is poised to revolutionise how African children interact with educational content. Designed with children aged 4-12 in mind, the app features e-books, audiobooks, animated videos, and language learning tools for popular African languages such as Yoruba, Swahili, Twi, and more. The app also provides a workspace for African publishers to distribute their content and monetise their work, empowering them to reach a wider audience.  Looking Ahead   As Muna Kalati embarks on this next chapter, the organisation remains focused on its future growth. Upcoming initiatives include expanding the library of educational content available on the app, developing partnerships with schools across the continent, and introducing additional features that promote bilingualism and early literacy.  Muna Kalati will continue to build on its reputation as a trusted advocate for African children’s literacy, offering high-quality, accessible content that supports children’s learning while preserving the continent's rich linguistic and cultural heritage.  About Muna Kalati   Muna Kalati is a Ghana-based organisation that promotes African children's content and supports African children's book professionals. What started as a website has grown into an EdTech platform offering a range of educational content, including e-books, audiobooks, animated videos, and language learning resources. Muna Kalati remains committed to making African children’s literature more accessible while empowering African publishers and authors.  For more information, please visit our website www.munakalati.org  or contact:  Eno Kwatemaa Antwi-Boasiako   Communication and Marketing Officer, Muna Kalati  Email: communication@munakalati.org   Phone: +233 50 376 3074  End

Sadio Mane Sadio is a young African who is passionate about football. With his teammates in the village, he will play a decisive match to win the right to continue growing in the forest of angels. A comic strip about the Senegalese football star Sadio Mané.   Sadio lives in the village of Nianthio in Senegal. After his father's death, his education is entrusted to one of his uncles who considers that football is a dead end. But Sadio does not listen and regularly goes to the Bois des Anges to play matches with his friends. There, the boy is always chosen last in the team composition and as goalkeeper, which he does not appreciate and causes an argument with his captain, Momo.   It is Sadio's sense of values, determination and his love of football that will allow the two boys to reconcile and face together the rival team from the village of Cere-Neex and win a daring bet: to win the right to enter as they please, into the forest of angels that separates the two rival villages.   Sadio will finally find the place he deserves within his team, encouraged by the good advice of his friend Bineta and he will be spotted by a coach. This beautifully illustrated comic strip traces, in broad outline, a part of the history of the famous Senegalese player Sadio Mané. The book is available on the FNAC, Cultura and Amazon websites. Title: Sadio, the forest of angels Author and illustrator: Seydina Issa Sow Publisher: Saaraba Editions Collection: New pocket Rédacteur : Laurence MARIANNE-MELGARD

Dear Muna Kalati Community, Welcome to the September Edition of the Muna Kalati Newsletter! Newsletter We're excited to share the latest updates, insights, and opportunities in the world of African children's literature. Our newsletter is curated to offer insightful and inspiring content for educators, parents, authors, illustrators, and all enthusiasts of children’s books. Access the newsletter below or click here . Subscribe to our newsletter  to stay connected, informed, and inspired. Thank you for being a part of the Muna Kalati community. We hope you find this edition informative and inspiring. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please reach out to us at communication@munakalati.org Happy reading!

The British Association for International and Comparative Education (BAICE) is a professional association for the promotion of research, teaching, and policy development in different modes of international and comparative education. It holds a conference every two years.   This year’s conference was held at the University of Sussex, Falmer – Brighton from 3-5th September 2024, under the theme “ Transgression and transformation: (re)bordering education in times of conflict and crises”.  Bringing together scholars, researchers, students, and educators, the goal was to stimulate an intellectual dialogue on global crisis in the sector of education.    Scortia Quansah, Muna Kalati’s Research and Engagement Officer and an affiliate of the Department of Communication Studies of the University of Cape Coast – Ghana was present. The BAICE Team, from the Centre of International Education (CIE), University of Sussex, led by Jo Westbrook, Linda Morrice , and Sarah Jeffrey,  mobilized about 290 delegates from 38 countries around the globe to exchange on the urgency of research and the need for collaboration beyond borders in sharpening education beyond times of global crises.     Scortia Quansah , Muna Kalati’s Research and Engagement Officer and an affiliate of the Department of Communication Studies of the University of Cape Coast – Ghana was present. Scortia’s team, including Dr.  Lieke Stoffelsma , Radboud University and Dr. Isaac N. Mwinlaaru  (UCC), presented on Bilingual Education in Ghana’s Post Colonial Context . Central to their presentation was investigating L1 and L2 literacy skills for quality learning.     The study explored the L1-L2 literacy development of 220 of Akan-English bilingual learners in Grade 4,5 and 6 from three primary-schools in Ghana’s Central region. It employed quantitative and qualitative analyses to investigate learners’ L1 and L2 literacy development.  The top 30 and bottom 30 scorers of the group-based assessment were chosen for a qualitative analysis to examine their ability to construct words from morphemes.     Learners’ reading comprehension, oral reading fluency, vocabulary knowledge, morphological awareness, and word-building skills were evaluated in individual-based and group-based assessments. Results from the study indicated that morphological awareness is a strong predictor of reading comprehension.     The findings revealed that top scorers demonstrated proficiency in forming accurate words by combining a wide variation of L1/L2 roots and affixes, indicating a high knowledge  of morphology and vocabulary. This competence positively impacted their reading comprehension. This finding has implications on the books produced for learners. Thus, bilingual books are highly recommended to enable learners to become proficient in morphology, a strong predator of reading comprehension.      Partaking in this year’s BAICE Conference   has exposed me to the different strategies and efforts individuals and organisations are making to enhance global education. It was a heartwarming moment to dialogue with experts, scholars, and researchers for feedback on improving studies conducted. There was the opportunity to have engagement and further collaboration with organisations such as British Council, Education for Sub Sahara Africa (ESSA) , Read to Play , Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO ) among others.   #BAICE #global #education #context #transgressing #border #transformation