Championing Stories of Inclusion in the BookSmart App

What makes your favorite story, your favorite? Perhaps it transported you to a place you’ve never been and are itching to visit. Maybe it challenged your way of thinking or widened your worldview. For Ignacio, an 8-year-old reader living in the Peruvian Andes, it told a story of dignity and inclusivity for all, no matter our differences.

Ignacio’s home is tucked in the Province of Bolognesi. This region of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range boasts dazzling panoramic views, but its remote nature makes access to quality education more difficult.

To reach readers in these areas, we’ve partnered with community centers like Centro Alma to bring the BookSmart app and its vibrant stories to children across the Andes. The Centro Alma Community Center where Ignacio reads is supported by the Kaphan Foundation co-founder and Worldreader Board member, Ericka Locke. 

In this clip, Ignacio tells enthusiastically of his favorite BookSmart story, La conexión mental entre las hermanas or The Sisters’ Mind Connection. Inspired by her sister who has autism and down syndrome, Allison Hazel Liévano Gómez wrote this story to champion family bonds and advocate for the rights and respect of children with disabilities.

At Worldreader, we know our readers are drawn to books that reflect who they are and the world they live in. Understanding the importance of representation, we strive to curate an inclusive collection of digital books. Inclusivity through books means not only offering stories with characters of varying races, ethnicities, and cultures, but representing characters with various disabilities. 

With books like La conexión mental entre las hermanas lining our digital bookshelves, we can continue to empower Ignacio and children around the world to celebrate and honor our differences.

​​At Worldreader, we believe that readers build a better world. La conexión mental entre las hermanas and other world-changing stories can be accessed on our free app BookSmart. Explore our collections and help young readers build a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

➤ Are you a reader? Download BookSmart and access thousands of inspiring stories for free today.

➤ Are you a teacher? Partner with us and discover how our world-changing reading programs can empower your students at home and in the classroom.

➤ Are you a reading champion? By supporting our work, you’ll power the stories that inspire children in over 100 countries and help unlock a world of opportunities for their future.