-with presentation to the National Library
THE Guyana Book Foundation (GBF) launched two new children’s books:‘The Discovery’ and ‘Waldorf the Water Drop- the Story of Water Pollution ‘   with a presentation of a collection of these titles to the National Library, on Friday. According to GBF representative, Enid Alleyn, the gift coincides with the observance of the United Nations International Literacy Day,to be celebrated on September 15 as well as, in recognition of Education Month, also celebrated in September.
“Both titles, would, no doubt, make excellent additions to the National Library’s collection for young readers,” she said.
As part of its annual book distribution campaign to mark education month, the GBF has also included the two titles in its gift packages for 63 primary and 16 secondary schools respectively throughout Region 3, (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni).
Accepting the gift, on behalf of the National Library, Chief Librarian Gillian Thompson expressed her gratitude for the additions, which she noted will complement their extensive collection.
“It’s a very lovely collection of children’s books and we are happy to know that they have been written by local authors.” she stated.
According to Thompson, the readers are sure to respond to issues of water pollution and conservation, the main topics of the books presented.
She explained, “The Books speak to the children and they will feel a sense of responsibility towards water conservation and pollution, they will read it and they will learn from it.”
Copies of the titles will also be sent to branches of the National Library across the country, the Chief Librarian added.
Meanwhile, the author of ‘Waldorf the Water Drop- the Story of Water Pollution’, Mrs. Pamela O’ Toole expressed appreciation to the  National Library and GPF for publishing her book, the second instalment in a series of books on water conservation.
As to the importance of the theme in her book, Mrs. O’Toole said, “We are trying to familiarize children in a sort of fun way with the important issues of water conservation and pollution and although we live in Guyana, the land of many waters, if we don’t conserve and continue to pollute then that water will in fact be more harmful rather than helpful.”
‘The Discovery’, written by Grace Nichols, a renowned Guyanese author and recipient of several honour awards , including  the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1993, is set in a small riverine community facing destruction  as a result of deliberate flooding, due  to the Government’s plans to build a hydro-electric dam.
The second title, ‘Waldorf the Water Drop- the Story of Water Pollution’ is the sequel to  ‘Waldorf the Water Drop- the Story of Conservation’, written by Mrs. Pamela O’ Toole, who is also  a renowned local author of children’s reading books and teachers’ resource materials used in ‘On the Wings of Words’ Literacy Programme.
Waldorf is an amusing tale of a drop of water’s journey, from living a clean, carefree life as fresh water, to surviving among various pollutants introduced by man.
These new publications were made possible with  support from the Canadian Organisation for Development through Education (CODE) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).