Author Description

Acacia trees are important to many species of insects, animals, birds and people. In Ethiopia, Acacia trees thrive in the dry, sunny environment. Their branches are home to many different Ethiopian creatures, some of whom leave holes in the trees that cause them to “whistle” in the wind. Acacia trees can even “talk” to each other by releasing gasses to warn of predators, and they can defend themselves with their thorns or by filling their leaves with poison. Acacia trees draw so many different kinds of creatures to their shade and nourishment that they are like gathering places for animals, birds and bugs. Side by side text in English and Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya and Afaan Oromo help readers learn the names of counting numbers and creatures like camels and stinging ants. Charming illustrations by the elementary students of Stepping Stones Montessori fill the pages of our newest #readysetgo title. Sales of every book go to support our mission to increase literacy in indigenous Ethiopian languages. Ready Set Go Books, an Open Hearts Big Dreams Project, is focused on increasing the literacy rate in Ethiopia through giving readers books with stories in their heart languages, full of colorful illustrations with Ethiopian settings and details. Profits from book sales are used to create, print, and distribute more Ready Set Go Books to kids in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country. Ethiopia’s population is 44% children, ages 0-14 (43 million out of 97 million total). Only 5.5% of children attend pre-school or kindergarten, and the adult literacy rate is 49%. Our books are based on wise Ethiopian sayings that often rhyme in Amharic. If an adult says the first half, many children can chant the second half. Sometimes the meaning of these sayings is clear. Sometimes it has to be puzzled out and argued over. But sayings and idioms and proverbs help people express truths and beliefs in unusual ways. Since late 2017, OHBD has published over 100 unique