Quality kids' books in short supply<\/p>\n
In his book Buku dalam Indonesia Baru (Books in New Indonesian),
\nAlfons Taryadi writes that Indonesia publishes a mere 4,000 new
\ntitles annually, mostly reference and general books, and on
\naverage each title sells only about 3,000 copies.<\/p>\n
Riris K. Toha Sarumpaet, a professor of children's literature
\nat the University of Indonesia, also said recently that most
\nlocal children's books come up short on quality.<\/p>\n
\"They exploit children as commercial objects. None of the
\nbooks reflect the sincerity and empathy from the writers as
\nadults toward children,\" she said as quoted by Kompas daily.<\/p>\n
These facts present an obstacle to the operations of mobile
\nlibrary The Wandering Books Foundation in seeking to provide good
\nbooks for children.<\/p>\n
\"There are many people or companies who donate books, but
\ncouldn't care less about the quality. The books are poor and
\nfilled with so many errors, even though they are school
\ntextbooks!\" said foundation director Nasti Reksodiputro.<\/p>\n
\"We don't dare to give them to children. So, those books are
\npiling up in the storeroom now.\"<\/p>\n
The foundation tries to eschew giving out formal textbooks, in
\nan effort to stimulate the children's imaginations through
\nfiction.<\/p>\n
\"Unfortunately, the quality of local children's books is so
\nbad as writing lessons have been ignored for years in the school
\ncurriculum,\" Nasti said.<\/p>\n
She is now trying to provide more English books despite the
\nfact that proficiency in the language remains low.<\/p>\n
\"Too bad, as reading books in another language can broaden our
\nhorizons. But who knows, the children's interest might increase
\nto read English books.\" -- Hera Diani<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/quality-kids-books-in-short-supply-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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