IBBY-Yamada 2024: Indonesia

IBBY-Yamada 2024: Indonesia
The Magic of Reading in the Hands of Young People – Let Them Shine

Focusing on peace, inclusion, and cultural identity, this multi-site project in Indonesia empowered children and youth—including those with disabilities and neurodivergent learners—to explore the joy of reading and creative expression through storytelling, writing, and illustration.

In Bandung, INABBY collaborated with Tab Space, a social enterprise supporting neurodivergent artists. Guided by author Murti Bunanta, artists created two new picture books inspired by traditional Indonesian folktales: The Spoiled Little Kitten from North Sumatra and Why Shrimps are Crooked from Central Kalimantan.

In Jakarta, a workshop with homeschooled students celebrated the centenary of Indonesian writer Sitor Situmorang. Children participated in read-aloud sessions and creative writing activities based on Situmorang’s children’s stories, producing their own original manuscripts and continuing their literary exploration beyond the workshop with support from parents and teachers.

The third phase of the project took place at Mentari Fajar, a school for children with special needs in Bali. Students created illustrations based on folktales, which were printed on T-shirts. This initiative not only celebrated creativity and storytelling but also provided students with the opportunity to earn income and gain skills in printing, fostering greater independence and sustainability for the program.

With the support of INABBY and the Society for the Advancement of Children Literature (SACL/KPBA), The Magic of Reading offered inclusive and lasting ways to connect children with books, creativity, and their cultural heritage.