I created this innovation because I know firsthand how powerful reading and writing can be. As a student, I struggled in the traditional academic system. What saved me was the joy of reading. It opened doors, sparked ideas, and eventually led me to a career as a writer, copywriter, and founder of my own company. I realized that writing isn’t just about putting words on paper; it’s a way of thinking, solving problems, and expressing ideas clearly.
In Indonesia, low reading comprehension is a national concern. It doesn’t just affect academic outcomes; it impacts critical thinking, job readiness, and our country’s ability to compete globally. I believe the ability to think, rooted in reading and writing, is key to solving many of our nation’s challenges.
We started as Bookabook, a publisher of personalized children’s books. But we soon saw something more: Gen Alpha doesn’t just want to read. They want to create. So we built the tools, platforms, and events that let them do just that. Through our innovation, children write and publish their own books, then read stories created by their peers. This peer-driven ecosystem builds a strong reading culture from the ground up.
Supported by public libraries and government institutions, our work aligns with the national mission to improve literacy. By helping children write and read more, we’re nurturing a generation of thinkers, creators, and lifelong learners.
Our innovation combines literacy, creativity, and community. In practice, it looks like a vibrant ecosystem where children aged 5–14 become authors, illustrators, and creative entrepreneurs. Through our platforms and guided workshops, children write, illustrate, and publish their own books. Some even build small brands based on their stories. Their works are professionally printed and showcased in public exhibitions, libraries, and events we host throughout the year.
We also provide digital tools, printed templates, and story kits to help children craft original narratives. In schools, libraries, and online, our writing programs teach children to structure stories, build characters, and express emotions with clarity.
We also host the annual Karya Raya Exhibition, where hundreds of self-made books by children are displayed. Families, schools, and public libraries join in to read, vote, and celebrate the creators. We give awards not for being “the best,” but for creativity, collaboration, and persistence—values that build confidence and joy in learning.
At its heart, our innovation is about empowering children to see themselves as thinkers and makers. When they read stories written by their peers, they’re not only inspired to read more; they believe they can create too. That’s when change begins.
Our innovation has spread organically through a strong sense of community and word of mouth. Teachers who’ve seen the impact in their classrooms have invited us to run creative writing sessions in their schools. Mothers, moved by the joy and pride their children experience, share our programs with other parents. The government has also played a key role; Jakarta Public Library now hosts our Young Authors Exhibition as one of its main annual events.
Social media has been essential. Our Instagram and YouTube channels feature interviews with young authors, sparking inspiration and engagement. We also created an online library (byme.bookabook.id) where children’s self-authored books are published and shared. Families and young authors proudly spread their work, with some books receiving over 2,000 reads. In just over a year, the site has reached nearly one million visits.
Instead of relying on ads, we focus on building tools that naturally encourage sharing. When children become authors, they want their stories read, and this peer-to-peer and parent-to-parent sharing has become our most powerful way to grow.
We started as a personalized children’s book publisher (Bookabook), but quickly noticed that Gen Alpha doesn’t just want to consume stories. They want to create them. This realization led us to expand our innovation significantly.
We added a structured creative writing program, available both in-person and online, to guide children from idea to finished book. We also developed a self-publishing platform (byme.bookabook.id) where children’s stories can be read and shared widely. To support kids who struggle with drawing, we introduced visual tools like Canva templates so they can still illustrate their books with ease.
We partnered with public libraries and secured government support to make our programs accessible to public school students, especially those with limited access to creative opportunities. Our exhibitions have grown from small displays into large public events, including a record-breaking showcase recognized by the national record museum (MURI).
Most importantly, we continue listening to our community—teachers, parents, and children—and adapt our programs based on their evolving needs and feedback.
Trying Karya Raya is as easy as 1-2-3: create, publish, and share.
Visit karyaraya.bookabook.id or our Instagram to join the exhibition. Once you finish your book, upload your work, either by email or by post. In just 5 days, your book will be published and featured in our online library. The original copy will be kept for exhibition, but you’re welcome to reprint it for yourself.
You can also explore our YouTube and Instagram for inspiration and tips. Join our creative writing classes, now available in more than 5 schools, online throughout the year, and offline in malls. If drawing isn’t your strength, you can use Canva, our 2025 sponsor and official partner, to help design your book.
At the end of the process, your story will not only be seen—it could be celebrated. Selected works will be showcased at Perpustakaan Jakarta and may even receive an award during the annual Karya Raya celebration.