The World is
Just a Book Away
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama
"I believe that reading books can help us make this life meaningful...My greetings to all the children and students who will benefit from this project. I hope you will not only find the books you want, but will also discover and take interest in others you would otherwise not have known about."
Dr. Jane Goodall
Founder—The Jane Goodall Institute
& UN Messenger of Peace
"WIJABA libraries are very obviously making a huge difference to hundreds of children. Just watching the way the children pick up the books and read them, and the expression in their eyes and their excitement, makes everything worthwhile."
Liam Neeson
Actor & WIJABA Supporter
"I believe that books are a passport to life; they’ll also be your best friend for life. When one hears that millions of children are missing out on an education and access to books around the world, one realizes that WIJABA is not some luxury, part-time project, but a vital necessity for our world’s future; it’s the children."
“I love going to library at my school.
The library is very nice, comfortable and beautiful. I love fairytale books! I go to our library with my friends twice a week.”
Aditya Saputrra, Grade 3
The World is Just a Book Away
Edited by James J. Owens
& Illustrated by Ryane Acalin
The World is Just a Book Away is an anthology edited by USC professor James J. Owens that captures the stories of how books and reading inspired some of the world s most prominent people. Recognizing the life-changing nature of reading, Owens set out in 2002 to create this deeply moving book.
