Book sponsorships pay most, but not all, of the cost of creating and printing a book. That helps us keep prices low, for schools, for visitors, and the growing number of Lao people who have enough income to consider buying a low-priced book. We asked sponsors to tell us why they decided to do so.

A couple who have lived in Laos know first-hand about the need for books. They've also seen first-hand what happens when fun books get into a village that never had them before.

Jean taught elementary school and I was a retired entomologist living for 3 years in Laos probably at just about the same time you arrived. We came to the same realization that you did about the lack of books available for rural schoolchildren.

On our return visits, we saw your early titles like 'New, Improved Buffalo' and we were so happy to know that somebody with just the right background was doing something about the situation. Before this year's visit we saw the Big Brother Mouse website and were pleased to be able to support the effort in a small way by sponsoring the printing of a book in the series.

At the same time we sponsored one of the village book gifting parties and were able to accompany your young professional staff who gathered the students and parents together for a remarkable session of storytelling, book sharing and songs. Afterwards we were truly moved to observe mothers down at eye level with their little ones enjoying a new book together. We can only imagine how many times any one book is going to be reread out there in that village.

Keep up your fine efforts.

John & Jean Burton, United States