This piece is shared as part of Pledge 1%’s #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, which highlights how Pledge 1% members and the business community are coming together as a force for good to combat COVID-19.
Language Lizard, a leading supplier of bilingual books and audio resources in over 50 languages, is offering free lesson plans and book giveaways to encourage students to read and engage in multicultural activities to enhance distance learning. The company, a Pledge 1% member, is also continuing to support Room to Read’s global literacy efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.
Language Lizard launched a special book giveaway to promote reading. Entrants will have opportunities throughout the coming months to win packages of books in many different languages. In addition, all entrants receive a free lesson plan with activities for students to celebrate diversity and their unique family heritage. All interested readers can sign up here.
Language Lizard is also supporting the efforts of Room to Read to ensure continuity in education in the face of unprecedented challenges. Room to Read and Language Lizard offer resources such as guided educational activities that parents can use to help their children learn.
Room to Read is moving quickly to keep programs and resources accessible, including examining the book supply chains and identifying government partners and other local relationships to find ways to get books to children who cannot go to school and visit libraries.
Students can view and read books from around the world produced by Room to Read authors and illustrators through the digital platform, Literacy Cloud, with more than 180 children’s books and learning resources.
“We know that education is a fundamental human right. It gives people the skills they need to improve their circumstances in life, advocate for themselves and overcome setbacks. Education can be a comfort, an escape, a source of inspiration, a window into another world. “ – Geetha Murali, CEO, Room to Read
While these unprecedented times are challenging for students, parents, and teachers alike, Language Lizard believes that reading good books is a healthy way for children to manage stress and unwind. One simply needs to keep in mind the realization of the title character in the bilingual book Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner. Augustus is sad and believes he has lost his smile, but in doing things he loves, he learns that he carries his smile with him, “…for happiness is everywhere around him.”
