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　　An SVA staff member in Myanmar says,/“Children seem to have learned thinking skills/through reading.// Kids love storytelling sessions/and are absorbed in the world of picture books.”// Her dream is/to put a picture book in every child’s hand.// SVA tries to make that dream come true.// It takes a lot of books.//
　　SVA collects about 18,000 books a year/in Japan.// The SVA staff translate the books/into other Asian languages/and print the translated passages on stickers.// Then, volunteers paste the stickers/over the Japanese words.// It takes a volunteer about one hour/to finish one book.// A lot of helping hands are needed.//
　　One volunteer says,/“I was interested in doing some volunteer work,/and it was an easy first step forward/to make a small change in my life.”//
　　Another says,/“I used to enjoy reading picture books/to my kids.// Now that they have grown up,/it gives me joy/to imagine kids all over Asia/enjoying picture books I help to make.”//
　　One picture book can change a life/and empower a child.// Just ask Orathai,/the Thai diplomat/who has never forgotten The Giant Turnip.//