UNICEF expands the National Interactive Reading Programme “100 Stories Read” with a new set of 25 titles for 1,200 kindergartens across the country.
Chișinău, 19 March 2026. UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, the OvidiuRo Association, and the National Children’s Library “Ion Creangă”, continues the implementation of the National Interactive Reading Programme “100 Stories Read” by adding 25 new titles, with a total print run of 30,000 copies, to be distributed to 1,200 kindergartens across the country.
The new batch complements the 69 titles previously procured by UNICEF, with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom, contributing to the promotion of reading from the earliest years of life.
The procurement was made possible through financial support from the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Norway, and will contribute to enriching book collections in preschool institutions, including the 150 Resource Centres launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Education and Research, in partnership with UNICEF.
As a result, the total number of books procured under the programme reaches 112,800 copies.
The expansion of the book collection was marked by interactive reading sessions held at “Floricica” Kindergarten in Cojușna, Strășeni district. The event was attended by the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, the Minister of Culture, Cristian Jardan, the UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova, Maha Damaj, the Director of the National Children’s Library “Ion Creangă”, Eugenia Bejan, as well as representatives of the OvidiuRo Association. Participants engaged with children and parents through reading sessions and discussions based on the books presented during the event.
“When we read to a child, we are not just telling a story. We are building language, shaping imagination, and helping them understand emotions — both their own and those of others. We teach them how to think, not just what to know. Without this kind of ‘nourishment’, development remains incomplete. A child may grow physically, but curiosity, confidence, and the ability to connect with the world remain limited,” said Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova.
“Through the ‘100 Stories Read’ programme, we aim for every child to have access to books that stimulate their imagination, enrich their vocabulary, and nurture their curiosity to explore the world. Expanding the collection of titles and distributing them to kindergartens is an important step towards making reading a natural, everyday activity, both in early education settings and at home, within the family. Investing in books is, ultimately, an investment in the development and future of our children,” said Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research.
„Lectura, la orice vârstă, este o necesitate pentru dezvoltarea unei societăți sănătoase. Programul „100 de povești citite” înseamnă mai mulți copii care au acces la cărți de calitate și la experiențe care le formează gândirea și capacitatea de a înțelege lumea din jur. Cultura începe din copilărie, iar investițiile în lectură sunt, de fapt, investiții în oameni mai conștienți, mai empatici și mai bine pregătiți pentru viitor”, a afirmat ministrul Culturii, Cristian Jardan.
The “100 Stories Read” programme was officially launched in April 2025 and aims to promote reading as an integral part of early childhood education. Its objectives include increasing the involvement of educators and parents in reading activities with children, ensuring access to reading for all children — including those from vulnerable backgrounds, children with special educational needs, refugees, and children from different ethnic groups — as well as promoting social cohesion and the development of essential skills such as cognitive and emotional abilities, vocabulary, critical thinking, creativity, and communication.
As part of the programme, kindergartens have created “reading corners” — child-friendly spaces for reading and listening to stories, both indoors and outdoors — helping transform reading into a joyful, everyday activity.
According to the study “Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Parents and Caregivers of Children under 6”, conducted by UNICEF in 2023, only 31.1% of caregivers read to children regularly, even though reading is recognized as an important practice for child development.
To support the effective implementation of the programme, over 1,000 educators and school managers from across the country participated in training sessions delivered by the OvidiuRo Association. The trainings covered topics such as the benefits of interactive reading, setting up reading corners, selecting appropriate books, and engaging children in reading from an early age.
Media contacts
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook
