Reading for a more resilient future
In a place where rising sea levels pose an existential threat, the need for education that builds resilience and equips communities to navigate a changing climate has never been more urgent.
With Library For All, as an initiative of Save the Children Australia, the Kiribati Education Improvement Program (KEIP), and local communities, we supported the development of a culturally relevant collection tailored to the geographical realities of Kiribati. These stories can support foundational learning, and reflect realities of island life, including environmental resilience and everyday routines.
Titles such as “Fire in the Garden”, “Trees Are Our Protection”, and “The Fruits of Kiribati” offer practical knowledge grounded in local context, while books such as “The First Coconut Tree” and “Tuiteran’s Month of Toddy” capture the spirit and culture of Kiribati through storytelling.
Read more about our work in the Pacific: Pacific – Library For All
Why stories matter in the Pacific
Kiribati is one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. With more than 30 low-lying atolls spread across the central Pacific, access to books and educational materials has long been a challenge, especially in outer islands.
This collaboration looked to develop hundreds of books—print and offline-first technology—through mobile devices and distributed collections.
Each title was carefully selected and adapted from an existing library or co-created with community specifically to reflect the lived experiences of Kiribati children.
Learn more about the Kiribati Collection through this link.
What is in the library?
The Kiribati collection includes:
- Stories created by local authors through community Writers Workshops
- Health, hygiene, and safety content contextualised for island life
- Climate and natural disaster books that explore coping, care, and environmental awareness
- Early readers and education titles aligned with the Kiribati school curriculum
A couple of title highlights include:
“Fire in the Garden”, “Trees Are Our Protection”, and “The Fruits of Kiribati”, which offer practical knowledge grounded in Kiribati natural environment. These books promote understanding of local plants, sustainable practice, and the importance of environmental stewardship, essential for children growing up on these low-lying islands.
Meanwhile, titles such as “The First Coconut Tree” and “Tuiteran’s Month of Toddy” bring the spirit of Kiribati culture to life through storytelling. These books celebrate the significance of the coconut tree and traditional practices such as toddy collection, helping young readers connect with the customs and rhythms of island life.
Together, all these books showcase the rich blend of practical learning and cultural heritage that defines the Kiribati collection.
This collection and more are available on our FREE mobile apps. Download them now:
Designed for the classroom
Whether accessed on a smartphone in a home with no books, or used as part of classroom reading sessions, the collection supports early literacy and Social and Emotional Wellbeing. With the support of the Ministry of Education, teachers were provided with training on how to leverage collections as part of national learning strategies.
Many of these stories were developed as part of Kiribati Education Improvement Program digital learning investment and remain a vital tool in bridging the education gap across remote schools.
But, this collection is just the beginning. As community authors continue to create stories, the library will grow—ensuring every child in Kiribati can continue to see themselves in the stories they read, and feel empowered to shape their future.
Interested to learn more about Library For All work? Visit our website and explore our programs and collections: Home – Library For All
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