Multilingual Childrens Book Publishing a Developing Industry in

Multilingual Children’s Book Publishing: a Developing Industry in Ethiopia • A presentation to the International Sustainable Library Development Interest Group • June 28 th, 2010 • ALA Washington, D. C.

An Introduction. . . • Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Endeber, Ethiopia 1974– 76 • Librarian—Regis University, Denver • Project Mercy, 2006 • Dr. Thomas Hooyman Memorial Library and Media Center Mekelle, Tigray Region Upcoming Projects. . .

Segenat Children and Youth Library Mekelle, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Literacy in Ethiopia An overview: Population: 88 million 0– 14 years 15– 64 years 65 years 46. 2% 51. 1% 2. 7% Urban population: 17%

Literacy in Ethiopia Languages: Amarigna Oromigna Tigrigna Somaligna Guragigna 32. 7% 31. 6% 6. 1% 6% 3. 5% Up to 70 different languages and dialects. English medium of instruction in schools.

Literacy in Ethiopia Fidel: • Semitic language • Read left to right • 7 vowel sounds • 33 consonants • 231 syllables • Amharic, Tigringa, and some dialects of Guragina

Literacy in Ethiopia Literacy rates: (age 15 and over can read and write) Total population: 42. 7% Male: 50. 3% Female: 35. 1% School life expectancy Total: 8 years Male: 8 years Female: 7 years

Importance of L 1 (first language) literacy for bilingual and multilingual students • Strong base in L 1 facilitates higher levels of proficiency in L 2 • Academic skills learned in L 1 directly transfer to L 2 • Literacy skills directly transfer: letters form sounds, words form sentences, punctuation has meaning.

Yohannes Gebregeorgis Highlights: • • 40 school library partnerships 2 free standing children’s libraries 6 Donkey mobile libraries Several portable libraries Libraries and literacy goes hand in hand.

Publishing Projects Culturally representative stories High quality books with Ethiopian illustrations Titles include: • • Silly Mammo The Fig Tree The Beekeeper of Lalibela The Elephant and The Cock Fafi’s Sheep The Lion’s Tail Bekelena Adisochu Bucheloch Published many bilingual and trilingual books

Every child receives a book published by EBCEF

during bread and book day.

The Golden Kuraz Award

Noted authors present during book club events. Alemu Eshetu Ato Sebhat Gebre Egziabher

Authors from the Ethiopian Diaspora Dinaw Mengestu, Maaza Mengeste Named New Yorker’s 20 under 40 in 2010

Multilingual book

Christensen Fund

Sololia Publishing, LTD Challenges and opportunities: • Cost and quality of printing • Distribution • Market • Economy • Trained workforce • Raising capital • Government regulations • Telecommunications • Translations • Foreign currency • Wealth of potential stories • Unexplored talent

Just published : Tirhas Celebrates Ashenda: An Ethiopian Girl’s Holiday.

In publication: • Abune Petros • Under the Tamarind Tree • The Monkey with No Tail • Silly Mammo (sound recording)

For more information contact: Janet Lee Email: jlee@regis. edu janet. lee 35@gmail. com