I’m part of a  local seattle publishing initiative, Ready Set Go Books. Ready Set Go Books is part of the larger  non-profit organization, Open Hearts Big Dreams (OHBD). The mission of OHBD is to support literacy in Ethiopia. I was the editor of their 100th book, Letter From a Plow Nation written by Dr. Worku Mulat, and illustrated by Daniel Getahun. This book helps Ready Set Go Books reach its objective to publish books that both entertain and inform young readers by telling vibrant stories that not only spotlight Ethiopian characters, lives, and languages, but also expose readers to the country’s ever-growing community of authors and illustrators.

In Letter From A Plow Nation, Ethiopia itself writes a letter to her people in this heart-rending look at the majestic history and uncertain future of this ancient plow nation. It is the source of the Nile, coffee and teff; it is a land of tolerance and diversity. But this cradle of civilization has suffered much upheaval and faces environmental challenges from climate change and human activity that threaten its future. Written by respected Ethiopian scholar Dr Worku Mulat and illustrated by brilliant Ethiopian artist Daniel Getahun, this love letter from a nation to her people is both inspiring and heart-breaking. Dual language text in English and Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya and Afaan Oromo support bilingual readers to develop vocabulary and fluency.