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Reading Books for Gypsy/Irish Traveler Children

Robert Dawson, from the Yorkshire Publishing Company in England, does all the work for the literacy program for the gypsy educational system. They publish a series of books specifically for Gypsy and other Traditional Traveller children to help youngsters learn to read. In total, his organization is doing over 100 different titles through Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group. These are culture-specific books for Gypsy and Irish Traveller children to learn to read with, and they are available from an English voluntary group.

Robert Dawson, though not of Romany heritage himself, has 50 years' experience working with Traditional Travellers. He is the series editor on behalf of the Derbyshire (UK) Gypsy Liaison Group. Funding for the books was obtained from two UK charities — the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the Tudor Trust — with more money coming from the sales of a specialist Gypsy book, Henry Dry-Bread, which the Group publishes. None of the writers, illustrators, or editors receive any payment for this work.

Below is a listing of current and future titles to be published by the Group:

Pre-school/Toddler
4 planned

Key Stage 1: ages 5 to 8
Houses and Homes (£3.10)

Key Stage 1 and 2: ages 5 to 11
When Little Monsters Come to Call (£2.05)
Finches (£3.75)
Dogs (in preparation)
Holiday Bus (in preparation)

Key Stage 2: ages 8 to 12
How Rabbits Arrived in England (£3.10)
The Christening (£3.10)
Wagons (in preparation)
Travel (in preparation)
Boxing (in preparation)
Old Crafts (in preparation)
The Rainbow Has No End (in preparation)
3 Mullo stories (in preparation)
Gypsy Horses (in preparation)
Red-Eye Ghost (in preparation)
The Appleby Ghost (in preparation)

Key Stages 2 and 3: ages 10 to 14
Hell and Damp Nation (£5.40)

Shipping and handling costs per book are:
USA/Canada: £0.75
Europe: £0.40
Elsewhere: £1.00

So far, six titles are available, but by the end of the year this is likely to be doubled; and there are over 20 in the pipeline. The Group intends producing over 100 different titles long-term. To buy the books, or obtain more information, contact:

Robert Dawson
188 Alfreton Road
Blackwell, Alfreton
Derbyshire DE55 5JH
U.K.
 
email: bob@robertdawson.fsnet.co.uk