Sunday, March 30, 2008
International Children's Digital Library
I find the idea wonderful. I remember when I visited France for 3 weeks in 11th grade. I was all alone with a family that didn't speak English, and I spoke very little French. It was lonely, and when , half way through my stay, my host family arranged to have my sister's host family meet us halfway between our places, I was estatic to be able to express myself in my own language again. She and I talked and talked. It must be so much harder for a child to have to move permanently away from their country. The ICDL fills a void for these children, offering books for them to read in their own language. There may be no other place in the whole country that offers books in their particular language. Computers can bring these books right into their new homes, or into their local library. Happiness IS!
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2 comments:
I had never thought about how books in a person's own language might actually bring someone a much needed comfort. Good Point.
The ICDL is a very interesting concept, and you're right, it's probably really helpful for recent immigrant children, or even children who are learning a new language or who want to explore their "roots." It might also be a great tool for libraries to use to reach out to non-English speaking immigrant communities, especially if they do not have personal computers or internet access.
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