ER signs contract with local children’s books authors

Tida ViolanteBook distribution, Partners

Yemisrach Worku (far left), Laurie Curtis (second from left) and Malcolm Clark (far right) with well known local children’s books authors: Mrs. Mary Jafer, Ms. Selamawit Mulugeta, Mr. Daniel Worku, Mr. Asres Bekele, and Mrs. Samrawit Arayamedhin (not pictured).

Our President, Malcolm Clark, and Board Member Dr. Laurie Curtis, Chair of the Book Centered Learning Committee, and Country Director Yemisrach Worku met with the five newly “sponsored” well known local children’s books authors. Ethiopia Reads signed royalty agreement with them to reprint their masterpieces and distribute to schools and libraries free of charge.  They will collect their royalty payments from ER.  These prolific writers are Mr. Daniel Worku (70+ children’s books titles), Mrs. Mary Jafer (40+ children’s books titles), Mrs. Samrawit Arayamedhin (14 children’s books titles), Mr. Asres Bekele (13 children’s books titles), Ms. Selamawit Mulugeta (5 children’s books titles). This Project is designed to promote and encourage local children book authors and improve the collection of good quality children’s story books inside libraries as well as to provide access to reading for children.

These five talented writers are thrilled to be part of this project. They never thought they could reprint these titles themselves even though kids loved their books. They do not have the financial support to do a reprint and most organizations focus on printing new books. Thus they were very grateful and Ethiopia Reads is honored to be able to collaborate with these wonderful writers and amazing people.