It often begins with a book. The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay, is about a boy navigating his way through adult dysfunction, peer bullying, and kindness from caretakers that fuels his maturation and intelligence. Companies and communities understand the power and impact 1% can generate. Through cultivating relationships with local business owners, the Room to Read New Jersey Chapter has helped foster a local/global connection through promoting New Jersey based entrepreneurs with a multicultural global mindset. The focus on books, literacy, and language made Room to Read an ideal Pledge 1% charity partner for Language Lizard.
Language Lizard, a New Jersey based, woman-owned business, offers multicultural children's books in over 60 languages to school districts, literacy organizations, and bilingual families to support dual language learners and promote multicultural education. Founder and CEO Anneke Forzani, understanding the global impact of Room to Read, was particularly impressed with Room to Read’s Book Publishing program. Room to Read conducts writer and illustrator workshops and collaborates with authors and illustrators, building talent in-country and teaching life long skills that will support literacy around the world long into the future.
"Members of the Language Lizard team continue to support Room to Read both financially and with their time, most recently providing support for a large fundraiser to help build a library in Cambodia. This year, the company’s gifts to suppliers will include a donation to Room to Read along with some festive treats from another Room to Read supporter." says Forzani.
The Language Lizard and Room to Read collections support literacy and diversity education in many ways. The Language Lizard Living in Harmony series promotes kindness, inclusion, and community. For example, the book We Can All Be Friends shows how much we have in common even though we are all different. Illustrations include diverse characters and settings from around the world, allowing children to see themselves in the book and learn about the world around them. All books also include free lesson plans to help teachers build community in the classroom.
The Room to Read Peace and Equality book series brought together diverse writers and illustrators from the United States for a “book sprint” to create 10 book titles in just four weeks on the theme of creating a more peaceful and equal world. Each book was made by a team of four creators. The series covers a range of engaging stories, from highlighting the contributions of Black inventors, to the importance of the U.S. census, to the experience of a Palestinian refugee in the U.S.
With common goals to promote reading and the development of creative, multicultural content, Language Lizard looks forward to continuing to support Room to Read in building a better future for kids around the world.
