In a country where an estimated three million adults are illiterate and an another eight million are functionally illiterate, the importance of stimulating an interest in books at an early age cannot be overestimated.

Research has shown that children who have no access to books before they go to school are severely disadvantaged and have trouble catching up with other children. Research has also shown that access to reading material in one's home language is a major factor in the development of early literacy.

First Words in Print aims to promote a culture of reading amongst very young children and their caregivers and contribute towards children's literacy development. The project will provide children with a shared South African literary heritage and contribute towards nation - building.

All First Words in Print books are written, illustrated and published by South Africans.

For more information contact:

Nombulelo Baba
021 423 2669

Email address:
nombulelo.baba@nlsa.ac.za
or firstwords@nlsa.ac.za

 First Words in Print strives to create a safe environment for writers, illustrators and publishers to experiment with the early childhood end of the market, as there is presently no common body of literature and very few locally published books aimed at this audience.

In the first phase of the project, more than 10 000 very young children from disadvantaged backgrounds in rural and urban areas in four provinces of the country are being reached. The project works in partnership with public libraries, clinics, ECD organisations, pre-schools, and crèches, which distribute the First Words in Print literature and give most children their first access to books. These partners play a vital role in exposing parents and other caregivers to the importance, and ways, of sharing books with their children. A video and pamphlet are used as a basis for raising awareness around these issues. The video and pamphlet are available in a number of languages and can be purchased directly from First Words in Print at the Centre for the Book at a cost of R45 (including postage).

In the first phase each child received a set of four 16-page books in his or her home language:

Abongi's Journey - A full colour picture book
Thandeka's Gift - A word book
Horn's Only - A page story book
Khushu Khushu - A multi-lingual rhyme book

[Click here for more information about the books]

In the second phase of the project a further 12 500 children are receiving copies of these books. A new set of four books will also be developed during this phase, in partnership with South African publishers. These books will be distributed in all the regions where the project works. First Words in Print's aim is to ensure that enough books reach each of the children involved in the project to enable them, and their families, to have a substantial book collection at home and thereby to sustain their initial enthusiasm for reading.

In 2004 the Centre for the Book and SAPPI held a competition for new stories for children. SAPPI sponsored prizes for three winning stories, and also sponsored production of the English editions of these stories. First Words in Print has added these stories to the pool of books it distributes to the regions where it is active.

The Winners of the SAPPI Isiqalo competition.
read more

First Words in Print is grateful for support from the following donors:

• Charlotte Roberts Trust 
• Department of Arts & Culture through the Print Industries Cluster Council

• DG Murray Trust Goldsmith College
• Hope For Children
• Jim Joel Education Fund
• Joan St Leger Lindbergh Trust
• Momentum Fund
• National Arts Council National Lottery Trust Fund

• Nedcor Foundation
• Nordic Council of Ministers
• South African Music Rights Organisation
• Sappi
• Zenex Foundation