Every year, the first of December is greeted with dozens of boxes full of bright lights and Santa’s galore – boxes that have collected dust from sitting idly in the far corners of our attics for the past 11 months.
Over the years, Christmas has transformed from a simple holiday into a massive, season-long capitalistic campaign. The fundamental ideas of Christmas such as love and sacrifice are often times clouded by the pressure to spend an exorbitant amount of money on the perfect gift. But, with help from people such as renowned author Paulo Coelho, this Christmas can return to its roots as the season of giving.
Global nonprofit Worldreader, whose goal is to improve literacy in developing nations through access to digital books, announced the addition of three new books to its online collection, all of which were written by renowned author Paulo Coelho.
“We are honored to share three of Paulo Coelho’s best-selling titles with our readers in Africa. His writing is light hearted, but asks us to grapple with life’s big question: Who am I?” Co-founder and CEO David Risher wrote.
The organization, whose library contains nearly 250 authors worldwide, has granted more than 5.9 million individuals access to read, grow and ultimately improve their lives and their world.
Coelho’s newest additions, which will be used as e-books for young readers in schools and libraries across sub-Saharan Africa, are three of his best sellers. They include Christmas Stories; The Supreme Gift – the unique adaptation of Henry Drummond’s sermon on love in all faiths; and Stories for Parents, Children, and Grandchildren, a collection of magical tales from across the globe retold by Caelho and featuring illustrations by his wife Christina Oiticica.
“The power of digital technology to enable access to books and ultimately improve people’s lives is undeniable,” Coelho wrote. “We’re thrilled that millions of readers in Africa can now enjoy timeless tales for free and at the click of a button.”
Born in Rio de Janerio in 1947, Coelho is considered to be one of the most influential writers of our time, and his books have been sold in nearly 170 countries and translated into 80 different languages. His most well known works include The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage. He has received numerous awards for his writing, is a member of the Academy of the Letters of Brazil and is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Interestingly, Coelho holds the Guinness World Record for the most translated author with The Alchemist, and he has the most followers on social media among all writers.
Coelho’s stories are the perfect addition to the Worldleaders’ library, as his promotion of peace and hope are transcendental in any community.
“The stories have already resonated with millions,” Risher added. “And we’re thrilled to be able to introduce them now to readers throughout Africa.”
For more information on Worldreaders or Paulo Coelho, visit worldreader.org and his blog paulocoelhoblog.com.
