Jamaica launches first national collection of local children’s books

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Children’s Book Collective (JCBC) has launched a national call for published children’s books that reflect Jamaican culture and experience as part of a first-of-its-kind initiative to increase young readers’ access to locally created literature. Jamaican authors and publishers are invited to submit eligible books for children from birth to age 12 by Monday, August 24, 2026. Books selected through the independent review process will form part of a national collection to be made available at all 13 main parish libraries within the Jamaica Library Service network.

According to a JCBC press release, the initiative is being pioneered by the Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency, JAMCOPY, in partnership with the Book Industry Association of Jamaica, the Jamaica Library Service and the Jamaica Book Festival. It seeks to promote literacy, strengthen the reading habit and ensure that more children can access engaging, age-appropriate books rooted in Jamaican life and culture. “Jamaican children should not have to look beyond our shores to find themselves in books,” said Shirley Carby, founding director and chairman of JAMCOPY.

“Our writers, illustrators and publishers have created rich and imaginative works rooted in our language, history and culture. The Jamaica Children’s Book Collective will help us identify these books, recognise their quality and place them where children across the country can discover and enjoy them.” The collection will be updated annually and promoted through local and international campaigns, helping Jamaican children’s books reach wider audiences while creating greater visibility for the authors, illustrators and publishers behind them. Thousands of children are expected to benefit from increased access to the selected titles through the public and school library networks.

The collective is seeking stories that allow children to recognise their country, their communities and themselves on the page. These may include books exploring Jamaican language, folklore, history and traditions, as well as family relationships, school life, community experiences, local landscapes and the everyday realities, challenges and aspirations of Jamaican children. Submissions are open to Jamaican authors living locally or in the diaspora, as well as permanent residents whose books are relevant to Jamaican culture.