CHILDREN must be given every opportunity to read from an early age to grow up without being hampered by narrow views and judgements, literacy advocate Ahmad Redza Ahmad Khairuddin said

He said reading can shape the character and personality of children, and they should be allowed to read a wide variety of books, including comics and illustrated works.

Redza advocates for every child’s right to read and benefit from the transformative power of books.

“Every child has a right to read and read the right book. Books can breach the cultural and racial divide. We want the best for our children,” he said in an interview with The Malaysian Insight.

“We must support children; we must engage them. We must understand their mindset and see from their perspective.

“Adults must listen and understand children. We should not be set on our own rigidness. We have to help children come out of their shells.

He highlighted the importance of empathy and flexibility in guiding the younger generation.

The 59-year-old Redza, a father of four grown-up children, said his gifts for his children when they were young had always been children’s books.

“Even if they were in foreign languages, I would get them as presents. They can look at the images in these books and discover the world out there. Somehow my children, grandchildren, and others appreciate these books,” he said.

He also said that there are sufficient local authors and content to cater to the needs of Malaysian children.

“We have our colourful history and culture. No need to just rely on books from the West. We can look at local books and local content to find similarities between communities and get our children to read them.”

He said more could be done in schools to encourage the habit of reading among children.

“For instance, we can have at least one period a week to allow these kids to read for pleasure… they can read anything from the school library or their own book. This is how we can get them hooked on books,” he said.

He added that parents can also dedicate time to visit libraries with their children to explore the world of books.

Redza is the president of the Malaysia Board on Books for Young People (MBBY), a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting literacy and a love for reading among young people in Malaysia.

It aims to provide children and young adults with access to quality literature and to foster a reading culture in the country.

It serves as the Malaysian chapter of the Switzerland-based International Board on Books for Young People.

“MBBY’s role is to create awareness about the importance of reading and the value of children’s literature, among others.

“We work with educators, librarians and parents to advocate for the inclusion of diverse and culturally relevant books in school curricula and libraries.

“We organise events such as book fairs, storytelling sessions and workshops to engage young readers and encourage them to explore the world of literature,” he said.

From July 24 to July 28, MBBY is partnering with Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Selangor to organise the Selangor Children’s Book Fair in Shah Alam.

Ahmad Redza said MBBY’s involvement in the book fair reflects its commitment to fostering a reading culture and promoting Malaysian authors and illustrators.

Illustrators play a crucial role in the world of children’s books, and Redza is keen to shine a spotlight on them.

“We must celebrate our illustrators. They are our local heroes who can connect with our children through their work,” he said, adding that illustrations and comics impact the development of higher-order thinking skills among children.

“Children get higher-order thinking skills through illustrations and comics. It’s a good way to educate them on our stories.”

With that in mind, he said the book fair promises a dynamic lineup of events.

“We are bringing in authors and illustrators to talk about their books and work and current trends. There will be new talents and old hands,” he said.

“Our aim is to achieve several key objectives, which include inculcating cultural values in children, bridging divides, nurturing understanding and building confidence,” said Ahmad Redza, who has been in the publishing business for more than 30 years.

According to the Unesco Institute of Statistics, Malaysia’s literacy rate presently stands at 96%, while a National Library of Malaysia study last year among library-goers showed Malaysians read an average of 20 books per year, compared to 15 in 2014.

But the long-standing criticism of Malaysia’s lack of a reading culture remains, with many quarters, including academics, saying that Malaysians do not read enough books.

Some factors attributed to the low reading rates include digital distractions, with many young adults spending more time online than reading books. Increased emphasis on academic achievement and examination results leave little room for leisure reading among young adults who are already overwhelmed with schoolwork. – July 21, 2024.