In the wake of an Ebola panic, a new children’s storybook app has been published to help lift the spirits of children in West Africa.
Dentist Bird: A West African Folktale tells the story of bird who explores the sights and sounds of Liberia’s rainforest. The app is based on a book called How Plover Bird Came to Clean Crocodile’s Teeth by Michael Richards. The app is narrated by voiceover artist Soneela Nankani. It was illustrated by Liberian painter David Wolobah and features music by Dora the Explorer composer Steve Sandberg.
The app makers Literary Safari are promoting the app with the hashtag #ReadforLiberia and are contributing the proceeds from the app to We-Care Foundation, a non-profit group that is pushing reading and education for children in Liberia despite the Ebola outbreak.
“During the ‘Ebola panic,’ there were incidents where kids were stigmatized in schools just because they were of African origin. Africa is not a country and Liberia is not a virus. Early exposure to diverse folktales can foster an appreciation of the universal ideals and values that connect us all and increase respect of cultural and ethnic differences,” stated Sandhya Nankani, founder of Literary Safari.