There are few stories more deeply rooted in Jamaican identity than Anancy and his adventures; tales that have shaped values, sparked imagination and carried lessons from generation to generation. It was this enduring cultural power that led the JWN Foundation (JWNF) to centre its Read Across Jamaica Day 2026 programme on two Jamaican titles by V.S. Russell and illustrator Clovis Brown, Br’er Anancy and the Magic Pot and Br’er Anancy and the Easter Egg Hunt.

Aligned with this year’s theme of ‘Kindness and Community’, the books offer young readers familiar, engaging pathways to explore empathy, cooperation, responsibility and the consequences of choices through humour, adventure and storytelling they instinctively understand. Through these stories, which trace their origins back centuries and were preserved through oral tradition, JWNF brought literacy to life for more than 4,000 primary school students across 14 schools in Kingston, Clarendon and St Elizabeth.

The Anancy narratives reinforced timeless lessons about sharing, accountability and the strength of community, while grounding reading experiences in Jamaican culture and shared values. A standout moment of the programme was a special partnership with cultural icon and master storyteller Fae Ellington, who led an interactive Central Literacy Experience with four Kingston-based focus schools.

Through dramatic narration, live performance and enthusiastic audience participation, Ellington transformed the reading sessions into an immersive experience, inspiring children to listen deeply, participate fully and confidently see reading as not only enjoyable but meaningful. “Our folk stories have always been one of the most powerful ways we teach values,” said Fae Ellington. “When children hear Anancy stories, they are entertained, but they are also learning about sharing, responsibility and how their actions affect others. When reading feels familiar and fun, children are more willing to engage and to remember the lessons long after the story ends. For me, this was also personal as these are the stories many of us grew up hearing, and it was special to see the children respond so openly and excitedly.”

Observed nationally during the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Education Week, Read Across Jamaica Day, which is recognised today, promotes the importance of reading while encouraging children to develop a lifelong love for books.

The Foundation’s approach this year reinforced that literacy becomes even more powerful when children can see their culture reflected in the stories, especially through folklore that has been passed down through generations via storytelling.

In addition to the central storytelling session, the Foundation volunteers visited 14 focus schools across the three parishes, reading directly with students and supporting school‑based literacy activities. These visits formed a core part of the Foundation’s commitment to meeting children where they are and reinforcing reading as a shared, positive experience.

“This year was very intentional for us,” said Garfene Grandison, General Manager of the JWN Foundation. “We wanted children to see reading as something that reflects who they are, the stories they know, and the values we want them to grow with. By using folklore and familiar characters like Anancy, we were able to connect literacy with kindness, community and culture in a very real way. Like many Jamaicans, I grew up hearing these stories that provided vivid imagery, and they remain with me to this day, and the values still matter, so it was powerful to see thousands of children connecting with the message in real time,” he ended.

Through its Read Across Jamaica Day 2026 programme, the JWN Foundation is proud to have reached over 4,000 children across 14 schools in Kingston, Clarendon and St Elizabeth, combining culturally grounded storytelling with a strong message of kindness and community while continuing its long-standing support of literacy development in Jamaica’s primary schools.