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Cambodia's demographics speak to the need for children's books. More than half of the country’s 13 million people are under 18 and more than 2 million children are younger than 5, according to UNICEF. Despite an extensive government school construction program, the U.S. State Department reports that schools are overcrowded and short of equipment. Less than 5 percent of primary school teachers have completed high school. While the government does not deny girls equal access to education, in practice families with limited resources often give priority to educating boys, the state department said.
We hope to give children texts that ignite their imagination and a taste of the world by selecting books that introduce topics such as English and geography. But we also seek out materials that relate to children's surroundings. An excellent example is Peter Perez-Donnelly's "Back to Rattan: A Bamboo Tale," which tells a story of a water buffalo and monkey during planting season in the Philippines. While it is not set in Cambodia, the backdrop is similar and a Cambodian child can easily relate to adventures along the river and the feasts of mangoes that are common in Cambodia.
For more information on Cambodia's educational system, the country's Ministry for Education, Youth and Sports offers interactive maps that highlight educational difference in the country and a section that includes the government's plan to improve education.