By Habeebat Ajayi
A new children’s book project is using storytelling to challenge stigma against people living with disabilities and encourage Nigerian children to develop empathy and acceptance from an early age.
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The initiative, which produced 20 picture books written and illustrated by Nigerians, featured characters and stories designed to reflect the diversity of Nigerian society, including children living with disabilities.
The project was developed by the Book Buzz Foundation under its Nigeria Picture Book Project, with support from the European Union and other partners. The initiative brought together young Nigerian writers and illustrators from the six geopolitical zones to develop culturally relevant stories for children.
Speaking at the launch of the books in Abuja, Director of the Book Buzz Foundation, Lola Shoneyin, said representation of people with disabilities in children’s literature was necessary to change negative attitudes towards them.
She said one of the writers’ training sessions was devoted to diversity and inclusion, including discussions around the experiences of people with disabilities and other groups often underrepresented in children’s stories.
According to her, when children repeatedly encounter characters with disabilities participating in everyday activities, they are more likely to understand that disability does not define a person’s abilities or worth.
Shoneyin said a child reading about a character who uses a wheelchair but is also able to draw, play, and participate in ordinary activities would begin to see such a person as part of society rather than someone to be isolated or pitied.
She said, “What they deserve is empathy, support and friendship and trust,” stressing that people living with disabilities had much to contribute to society.
The project also sought to broaden children’s understanding of Nigerian identities, cultures and communities through stories featuring local settings, names, traditions and experiences. The organisers said the books were designed to help children see themselves and their environments represented in literature.
One of the organisers said the project was particularly important because children often learn social behaviour by observing what they see around them.
She explained that children’s literature could therefore be used to introduce positive values, challenge stereotypes and encourage respect for people who are different from them.
The project coordinator, Tobechukwu Anyachebelu, said the writers and illustrators received training on culture, inclusion, diversity, storytelling and visual representation as part of the programme.
She said the initiative received more than 200 applications from aspiring writers and illustrators before 24 writers and 24 illustrators were selected from the six geopolitical zones.
The participants subsequently underwent a 12-week training programme before producing the books.
The Book Buzz Foundation said the books are intended for distribution to schools, libraries and homes, with plans to make them available digitally as well.
The initiative is part of a broader BookStorm programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s children’s publishing ecosystem and producing culturally relevant books for young readers. The foundation says it is working towards publishing 100 children’s books by 2027.
Stakeholders at the launch urged parents and teachers to use children’s literature not only to improve reading but also to teach empathy, inclusion and respect for people living with disabilities.
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