(introduction...)

For contact:

The Executive Secretary
Children’s Book Project
P.O. Box 78245
DAR ES SALAAM

Tel: 0255 51 760750, Fax: 761562
Dar es Salaam

1. Introduction

The Children’s Book Project for Tanzania was started in 1991 as a response to the acute shortage of books in the country-especially books for children.

The Project is supported by International donor organizations with interest in education and books. They are CODE (the initiator of the project), DANIDA, THE NETHERLANDS GOVERNMENT, CANADA FUND, SIDA and the AGA KHAN FOUNDATION.

2. Objectives of the Project

° In collaboration with publishers, to produce children’s books in Kiswahili so as to improve children’s reading ability.

° To encourage and support indigenous authorship, publishing, design, printing and bookselling.

3. Targets of the Project

First Phase: 1991-1996

The project’s first five year plan had two main targets. They were:-

° Book Production.

To produce a total of 220 titles of children’s books. The project purchased 3000 copies of each title produced under it. These were distributed to rural libraries, a few primary schools, teachers’ centres and some kindergartens. This purchase helped to strengthen those involved in the production of the book, i.e. the author, illustrator, publisher, printer and the book seller.

° Training.

The Project organizes training courses, workshops and seminars for people in the book industry with the objective of improving their skills. It has organized courses, for writers, illustrators, publishers, editors and booksellers.

Second Phase: 1997-2001

° During the second phase of the Project there will be one additional activity i.e. Readership campaign among children. The activity will be undertaken in collaboration with the librarians Association.

4. Publishing Procedure

During the first phase the Project received manuscripts from publishers. The Children’s Book Committee examined the manuscripts and selected those suitable for publication under CBP. The publisher got the approval of the Project Executive Secretary to print the book. The publisher was required to print a minimum of 5000 copies out of which he/she sold 3000 to the project and 2000 to bookshops.

During the second phase publishers are required to submit CRC’s or books. For the tittles which get approval of CBC publishers are supposed to produce 7500 for each tittle. 5000 copies are purchased by the project and the rest sold to the open market. The project distributes the books to six primary schools in each district throughout Tanzania.

5. Project Administration.

° The CBP Board of Directors

The CBP Board of Directors is made up of representatives from the major book sub-sectors. The Board is an overall incharge of the Project and is responsible to the CBP stakeholders. The Board meet four times per year.

The current members of the CBP Board are:

(i) Prof. M.M. Mulokozi - (Board Chairman),
(ii) Mr. Walter Bgoya
(iii) Dr. Matha Mvungi
(iv) Mrs. Mary Mgaya
(v) Mr. Albert Mwaipyana
(vi) Mr. Juma Salim
(vii) Mr. M.H. Mhina
(viii) Mr. Lipangala Minzi - (secretary)

° The Children’s Book Committee (CBC)

This is a committee of six people whose main function during the first phase was to select manuscripts, but now to select either CRC’s or books for publication under the project. They also deliberate on the overall running of the project.

The current members of the CBC are:-

(i) Dr. J. Madumulla - (Chairperson)
(ii) Mrs. Beatrice Omari - (Deputy Chairperson)
(iii) Mrs. M.G. Kihampa
(iv) Mrs. Margaret Kasembe
(v) Mr. R.S. Mabala
(vi) Mr. Lipangala Minzi - (Secretary)

° The Project Office

The day to day running of the project is done by the Executive Secretary.

6. What has been achieved so far

° Book Production

One hundred and thirty (130) titles of children’s books have been produced until July, 1998 and there are several titles approved by the CBC that are going through the publication stages.

° Training & Exposure

The Project has organized and run 32 training courses/workshops in book writing, editing, publishing, illustrating, bookselling and DeskTop publishing. CBP has also organised attachments for illustrators in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

The Project has participated in book fairs in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Bologna, Italy.

° Other activities

The project has done several other activities with close collaboration with publishers and their association, PATA such as:

* Book News is the projects newsletter which comes out on a quarterly basis.

* Supports regional writers associations already initiated by CBP in Arusha, Mbeya, Mtwara, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

* Offers consultancy to writers who need guidance.

* Has started a reference library at the project office for publishers, writers, editors, etc.

* Has initiated a children’s magazine which went into circulation at the end of 1994.

Books produced under the Children Book Project

Books are divided into three main levels based on the children’s ages:

Level I Books

(for pre-primary & Primary I & II)

1. Karibu Tusome 1
2. Karibu Tusome 2
3. Karibu Tusome 3
4. Kurwa na Doto 1
5. Kurwa na Doto 2
6. Kurwa na Doto 3
7. Kurwa na Doto 4
8. Mimi Mkubwa sasa
9. Masha cha Utundu
10. Nyimbo za Watoto Wadogo-2
11. Shukrani za Simba
12. Saa Ngapi?
13. Jifunze kwa picha 2: Wanyama wa Mwituni
14. Tusome ABC 1
15. Nipambe kwa Rangi
16. Mbuzi Watatu na Mbwa Mwitu
17. Njoo Tuhesabu
18. Maumbo
19. Andika Ugundue
20. Nyimbo Watoto Wadogo-2
21. Kisa cha wingu Vivu
22. Abjadi Zetu
23. Njooni Tucheze na Tuimbe
24. Tufurahie Namba 1
25. Korongo na Kobe
26. Mwendo Gani?
27. Cheza kwa Akili 1

Level 2 Books

(for mid primary children. Std. III-V)

28. Chemsha Bongo kwa Watoto
29. Kisa cha Paka Kupenda Jikoni
30. Zimwi la Mrima
31. Kiboko Alivyomchukia Chura
32. Kisa cha Mbwa na Paka
33. Mganga Pazi.
34. Vitendawili kwa Picha I
35. Vitendawili kwa Picha II
36. Sungura Kisimani
37. Nyani Mtu
38. Jina Iangu Sifuri
39. Kuku Mweusi na Kenge
40. Kipeo na Kipeuo Mahakamani
41. Safari kwenye nchi ya Maajabu
42. Kinda na Njiwa Mkaidi
43. Mkonko
44. Chui Wadogo
45. Kisa cha Sungura na Simba
46. Debe la Dhahabu
47. Kuku na Rafiki zake
48. Zimwi Lafi
49. Nipambe kwa Rangi
50. Sokoni Kariakoo
51. Mbegu ya Ajabu
52. Marafiki Wawili
53. Mtawa na Binti Mfalme
54. Mfalme Jogoo
55. Hadithi Kwa Methali
56. Nani Atakuwa Mfalme
57. Mti Uliozungumza
58. Kuku Njiwa na Kicheche
59. Kisa cha Mbwa kuishi na Binadamu
60. Vitendawili kwa Methali
61. Aladini Taa ya Ajabu
62. Kibuyu cha Ajabu
63. Wasia Wa Maskini
64. Kisa cha Mpiga Zeze na Binti Mflame
65. Ngini Hale na Kalwino
66. Mbwa Watatu na Mbwa Mwitu
67. Vitendawili kwa Picha
68. Taji la Mfalme Fisi
69. Safari ya Ndotoni
70. Mama Chui na Watumishi Wake
71. Mflame Ndevu
72. Kobe na Korongo
73. Leo ni Siku Gani?

Level 3 Books

(for primary VI & VII)

74. Ngoma ya Mianzi
75. Tanzua
76. Mfalme Twiga
77. Mgeni wa Bundi
78. Vitendawili kwa Hadithi I
79. Vitendawili kwa Hadithi II
80. Kutokea kwa Mabara
81. Cheza kwa Akili
82. Mchera Ziwani
83. Vitendawili kwa Hadithi 3
84. Kibibi Jitu
85. Je, Wanifahamu?
86. Panya Mahakamani
87. Mlilwa na Ndege wa Ajabu
88. Hisabati kwa Kadi
89. Safari ya Prospa
90. Utenzi wa Nyakiiru Kibi
91. Kilio Chetu
92. Androko na Simba
93. Maana Zaidi ya Moja 1
94. Maana Zaidi ya Moja 2
95. Sumaku ni Nini
96. Ndege Mwenye Miguu ya Lulu
97. Binti Chura
98. Redio
99. Majani yanalia
100. Utenzi wa Sungura
101. Mji wa Mawe 1
102. Mji wa Mawe 2
103. Hadithi za Esopo 1
104. Hadithi za Esopo 2
105. Miti Yetu
106. Hyenas and the Bell
107. Moto wa Mianzi
108. Mwanasimba Hali Mbara
109. Vitendawili kwa Hadithi 3
110. Maumbo
112. Usiku na Mchana
113. Je, Mimi ni Kiumbe Gani?
114. Wimbo wa Nyenje
115. Bahati na Mumewe
116. Darabe Mpiga Mbio
117. Mvuvi na Samaki wa Ajabu

Location:

Figure