The Children's Book Project

In collaboration with publishers, CBP works to develop a strong reading culture sustained by effective reading skills and the provision of high-quality reading materials in Kiswahili. In collaboration with teachers, CBP works to improve children's reading and writing ability and skills, as well as to promote reading habits. The project also assists with the production and distribution of relevant reading materials and encourages and supports indigenous authorship, design, publishing, and printing.

Project activities have included the following:

• Publishing: During the first phase (1991-1996), CBP received manuscripts from writers, some of them handwritten. The Children Book Committee evaluated these manuscripts and selected those suitable for publication. The publisher was required to print a minimum of 5,000 copies, out of which CBP purchased 3,000 copies. The remaining copies were sold by the publisher on the open market.
• During the second phase (1997-to date), publishers can either submit camera ready copies (CRC's) or printed books. Publishers are required to produce 5,000 copies for each approved title. As in the first phase, the project purchases 3,000 copies and the rest are sold on the open market.
• Distribution of books: During the first phase, books purchased by the project were distributed to 6 primary schools in each district throughout Tanzania. Currently, books are distributed to 99 primary schools registered under the readership programme and 6 other schools from all the districts in the regions where the readership programme is run. Other recipients include 4 teacher training colleges and practicing schools from the Eastern Zone.
• Training: In response to the need to improve skills among book sector personnel, CBP has organised training workshops for writers, illustrators, editors, booksellers, and publishers. Currently, the emphasis is to support regional writers associations, the National Reading Association, and the Illustrators Association.
• Readership programme: In 1997, CBP initiated the readership programme, which works to foster the professional development of primary school teachers. It focuses on teaching reading and writing skills, as well as progressive child-centred teaching methodologies.

Children, Education

In 2007, CBP was awarded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) King Sejong Literacy Prize for its work promoting the love of books among children and adults. According to organisers, this work has proved very positive in helping young people perform at school, as well as adults in the community.