Joglo Peace Library new books collection supported by New York Yearly Meeting, 23 August 2026, by Ratih
My name is Nadhif, I was born and live in a rural area in Pati, a small town in Central Java, Indonesia. Growing up around the year 2000, I wasn’t exposed to a wide variety of children’s books. Beyond the lack of easy access, the selection of titles back then was nowhere near as extensive as it is today. All I owned were a few small titles, slim books about ghosts and monsters I bought at the school bazaar, or the thin ones about Disney princesses my parents bought from a streetside toy shop (the town square). Although those books were few in number, they laid the foundation for my enduring love of stories and books.
Now, as a librarian at the Joglo Peace Library, I am delighted to see children easily access such a wide variety of books in the library. They can freely choose books that match their interests. They can easily grab books and sit down to read whatever captures their imagination. Seeing them do this feels like fulfillment of a wish I held when I was a child.
Parents and children often ask me for book recommendations. A few days ago, the mother of a young student named Aisha asked for a book about insects featuring detailed illustrations. I recommended the book “Sama atau Berbeda” (Same or Different). Soon after, her mother told me it had become Aisha’s favorite book, she asked her mother to read it to her every time she went to bed and it became a book that she had to read until she memorized the story. Later, when her mother took her to climb Mount Muria, Aisha eagerly observed the nature around her. Whenever she spotted something from the book, she pointed it out to her mother. She could even differentiate between pupae and cocoons and moths and butterflies. Her mother was surprised and proud to see her child could clearly remember what was read every time she went to bed.
I am deeply grateful for moments like this, which bring positive energy to my work and community. I am also very grateful to the many parties supporting us in expanding the collection of high-quality books at the Joglo Library. I hope to discover even more quality Indonesian children’s books that offer engaging, real-world knowledge.
With love for all who cherish books,
Ana Luthfiyatun Nadhifah
Children in the Joglo Peace Library try to find their favorite books in the shelve, Pati, 14 September 2026 by Nadhif