The Asia Foundation released a redesigned version of its popular Let’s Read digital library, creating an easy and fun way for children, parents, and educators to share free, locally written storybooks. Hundreds of high-quality stories in Bangla and English Language are available at www.LetsReadAsia.org and via the Let’s Read Android app and iOS app for iPhones and iPads.
SuklaDey of The Asia Foundation informed the matter.
The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Working through our offices in 18 countries and informed by deep local expertise and six decades of experience, we address the critical issues affecting Asia in the 21st century by: strengthening governance, expanding economic opportunity, increasing environmental resilience, empowering women, and promoting international cooperation.
SuklaDey said this programme is to encourage the children in your life on to reading success, a new feature empowers them to select a friendly animal character as a Reading Buddy. Other new features enable you and your children to set Reading Goals and Reminders and to mark books as “favorites” for quick access. Books can be downloaded for offline reading, and they can also be printed.
New “Listen and Learn” storybooks with audio and text highlighting are being created, enabling learners to both hear and see words at the same time. These Listen and Learn storybooks will soon be available on the library in additional languages. So that everyone can enjoy the library, Let’s Read is also adding sign language storybook videos and alternative image descriptions for children with visual impairments who use screen readers.
“We know that families everywhere want to see their children succeed. Research shows that children develop the skills they need to succeed in school when families regularly read books with them, starting at a very young age. In fact, reading with children is the simplest and cheapest way to improve your children’s skills at home”said SuklaDey.
Let’s Read stories are locally created by authors and illustrators in Asia Pacific to provide children with relatable characters, stories, and settings that inspire them to read and grow. Locally curated collections of stories keep children reading, helping them develop reading fluency and the critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills they need for success in school and future work.
