African children’s books on sustainability and equality to be highlighted through latest SDG book Club

The new, multilingual initiative sees book sector organisations from across the African continent come together and commit to augmenting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Book Club with an easy read collection of English, French, Arabic and Kiswahili books about the different goals for children. Books designed specifically for children poses and answers basic questions such as: Where does water come from, how do we deal with waste

The book club will launch on World Book Day (23 April 2021) and will feature quality African books that deal with the themes of the SDGs. Submissions are open now at http://bit.ly/SDGBookClubAfrica and a selection committee formed by the different partners will pick a shortlist for each SDG.

Samuel Kolawole, Chairman of the African Publishers Network (APNET) said: There is no doubt that good quality books at all levels can contribute immensely to the attainment of the SDGs all over the world by providing knowledge on the goals and what steps can be taken to attain them. For Africa, availability and access to such books that are indigenous to Africa and to which Africans can relate, will go a long way in ensuring that the continent of Africa makes good progress towards achieving the SDGs. That is why the efforts by all book stakeholders across the continent, in partnership with the UN, to organise an SDG Book Club for Africa deserves commendation and should be supported by all.

Olatoun Gabi-Williams, Founder of Borders Literature for all Nations said: It’s wonderful to know that children’s books published in Africa, with their strong SDG messages, will become a visible and colourful part of the global diversity of children’s books through this portal – the UN SDG Book Club African Chapter.

Lily Nyariki, Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) said: This is a worthwhile initiative that will see Africa contributing to the world’s knowledge through Children’s books while showcasing African publishers and authors internationally. ADEA congratulates all participating authors and publishers.

The founding partners for the African chapter of the book club are:      Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA)      Pan African Booksellers Association (PABA)      Association for the Development of Education in Africa     (ADEA)      African Publishers Network (APNET)      African Library & Information Associations & Institutions  (AfLIA)  Borders Literature for all Nations