Rwandan children’s book publishers last week organised a ‘Christmas and New Year Children’s Book Fair’ as one way of promoting the culture of reading and writing among children.

The two-day event that took place at the Car Free Zone in Kigali attracted over 100 children and their parents who both read and bought books to take home for further reading. According to the organisers, the event was a triumph as it gave Rwandan children an opportunity to get acquainted with different educative, entertaining, fun and exciting reading materials.

Winnie Muhumuza, a local publisher and chairperson of Rwanda Children’s Book Forum, said one of the major reasons they initiated a children’s book fair was to enlighten parents about memorable and educative festive gifts for their children.

"We hoped to remind parents that a book is an awesome gift for Christmas; a gift that will inspire a child to be a better person in life, by furnishing them with some of the most important life skills. That’s a gift every smart child deserves for Christmas, and a gift worth a memory,” Muhumuza explained.

The children’s book fair was also a moment to send a message to Rwandans about the availability of interesting children’s books written, illustrated and published by their fellow Rwandans. These books showcase Rwanda’s rich and diverse culture, moral values, development, history, vision and goals, she said.

According to children, the book fair gave them an opportunity to embrace literacy and win educative gifts for Christmas.

"Reading is fun and informative. At the book fair I gained inspiration from the books I read. For instance, some books encouraged me to be disciplined, hardworking and passionate in everything I do. It is this inspiration that will help me become better student,” said 14-year-old Melanie Uwayisaba.

For Patrick Mugisha, 12, the fair was a memorable event as he got a chance to own a book for first time.”After our elders reading several books, I grasped a lot of important information and I felt books have a lot to offer. I was lucky to win a book at the end of the fair,” he said.

Najma Uwamahoro, the coordinator of Ikirezi Project, a local children’s mentorship project that helps to keep school, said reading helps children stay occupied and productive during the holidays.

"From my experience, the Christmas book fair was an avenue of fun and insight to children. The availability of plenty of books increased their curiosity and zeal for reading, and it gave them an impression that there is still a lot to learn, discover and explore through books,” she explained.

She urged parents to look at books as a tool that will facilitate them in the process of raising focused and responsible children, as they offer children exposure to vital lessons, for example, family values, humility, charity, gratitude, ambition and hard work.

Jessica Murerwa, a parent, described the book fair as insightful and inspirational.

"I always beg my friends abroad to send me children’s books so as to help them develop the culture of reading among my daughters. I didn’t know that we had such talented local publishers,” she said.

Murerwa promised to share the good news with other parents to embrace home-made literacy materials, and give their children an opportunity to broaden their scope, and get inspired by their own book publishers.