Children’s Book Week and ABN AMRO launch free storybook and audiobook: ‘First step’
- Sponsorship
Hans Sjouke Koopal
Sr Press Officer
In the storybook and audiobook entitled ‘First step’, fifteen children and Dutch celebrities describe how a gentle nudge in the right direction changed their lives. In the Netherlands, an estimated 1.6 million children grow up in situations where activities like sports, arts, and culture are not a given*. ABN AMRO and its partners (which include Children’s Book Week) hope that the book will reach these children and inspire them to realise their dreams. The book generated such huge interest before its official launch that a second print run is under way and the book will soon be available in almost 300 Dutch schools.
The children’s book, which includes stories by Jörgen Raymann, Edson Da Graca and Sherida Spitse, can be ordered free of charge by primary school teachers. A specially designed ‘Reading and Listening Bookmark’ allows children to listen to the stories in Dutch and read them in several different languages. The digital version is available to everyone in Dutch, English, Turkish and Arabic, making it also accessible to parents and children who are not fluent in the Dutch language.
The courage to take steps
“I know how important it is for someone to believe in you when you’re young,” Jörgen Raymann is keen to stress. “Knowing that someone has faith in you gives you the courage to take steps and start something new. This book is full of stories showing children that they can do this too.”
“Every child has the right to discover their talents, regardless of the circumstances they grow up in,” says Marguerite Bérard, CEO of ABN AMRO. “The aim of the children’s book ‘First step’ is not only to share stories, but also to help build a society in which equal opportunities go without saying. This is why we and our partners are promoting a systemic change, which will actively help children to fulfil their true potential.”
Personal stories
‘First step’ is a compilation of fifteen personal stories featuring children and Dutch celebrities. In their own words, they describe their dreams, their minor triumphs and their first steps in the world of sport, art and culture. Nigel (14) is one such young person. In his story ‘Faster than the wind’ he explains how he met Usain Bolt and now dreams of running in the 2032 Olympics. The dream started with a pair of running shoes that he was able to buy thanks to the Dutch Youth Fund for Sport and Culture.
The stories were written by the children’s author Malou de Roy van Zuydewijn and illustrated by the artist Saša Ostoja. As well as being inspiring, the book also has practical tips for parents and guardians, with clear references to partner programmes that can help children take their first steps in the world of sport, art and culture. Schools can register for educational programmes with organisations such as the STRAAT Museum, H’ART Museum or the Ajax Foundation. The Dutch Youth Fund for Sport and Culture can pay for lessons or the club fees for parents who couldn’t otherwise afford it. So the book is not only a source of inspiration, it also provides practical guidance to help children discover and develop their talents.
“Children often have much more talent than they realise,” says author Malou de Roy van Zuydewijn. “I hope that by writing down their stories and showing them that their dreams can come true, they will realise just how valuable their voices are and that their stories really do count!”.
Reading and listening together
‘First step’ is not just a book; it’s a reading and listening experience. The stories are available as an audiobook in Dutch – narrated by former 3FM DJ Sagid Carter – and online at in Dutch, English, Turkish and Arabic. The special Reading and Listening Bookmark in the printed version of the book allows you to place your telephone next to the illustrations and read the stories online in your preferred language. This way, children, parents and guardians who don’t speak Dutch can enjoy the book together. This makes reading more accessible and brings everyone together.
The initiative is in line with the Equal Opportunities sponsorship strategy, in which ABN AMRO works closely with other (mainly social) partners in the sports and culture sector to remove barriers. Marguerite Bérard continues: “We want the book ‘First step’ to reach children and families that could use a bit of extra support. At the end of the book, there’s a list of some of our partners who can help children to take part in a sport, art, culture or other activities. Together with our colleagues, partners and our own ABN AMRO Foundation, we have been committed to helping the future generation for almost 25 years.”
Order free of charge
Due its success, orders for the first edition of the book are already fully booked, but a second print run is on its way. Schools with pupils who need a bit of extra support can order free sets of 25 copies of the book ‘First step’ at abnamro.com/ikbeginhetboek. From today, the stories are freely available to read or listen to online through the same platform.
*Source: Dutch Youth Fund for Sport and Culture
ABN AMRO for Equal Opportunities
At ABN AMRO, we’ve been committed to structural change for over twenty years, so that children and young people can discover and fulfil their full potential. By offering children opportunities to discover and further develop their talents early on in life, they get the extra support they need to move forward and keep moving forward. ABN AMRO works to achieve this goal together with its own ABN AMRO Foundation and partners including the Dutch Youth Fund for Sport and Culture, the Esther Vergeer Foundation, Fonds Gehandicaptensport, the Ajax Foundation, the STRAAT Museum, the H’ART Museum and the Stedelijk Museum. Our partnership with Children’s Book Week can now be added to this list.