In Lhasa, capital of the Xizang autonomous region, a small bookstore is quietly encouraging young Tibetan children to discover stories in their mother tongue.

Founded by Tashi Tsering, Nornor Children's Bookstore has become a hub for early childhood education, publishing Tibetan-language picture books and hosting reading programs designed to spark a love of language and culture among young children.

Originally from Gyalze county in Xizang, Tashi Tsering launched the initiative in 2017 as an online storytelling platform. Over time, it evolved into a physical bookstore and cultural center dedicated to children under the age of 6.

"Every weekend, our bookstore hosts reading sessions that help children engage with Tibetan-language books while also incorporating Mandarin and English through trilingual storytelling," said Tashi Tsering. The sessions often include handicraft activities that encourage creativity and participation.

Today, the bookstore serves as both a cultural space and a childcare center. It offers daycare services for children aged 1 to 3 and organizes weekend reading activities that attract families across the city. Parents can purchase flexible session cards for the two-hour programs, each costing about 69 yuan ($10).

Tashi Tsering said the programs fill an important gap in early childhood education while also easing the burden on extended families.

"I feel these services are not only vital for the healthy development of preschool children, but they also help relieve pressure on grandparents, who often shoulder childcare responsibilities in many Tibetan households," he said.

Beyond Lhasa, the bookstore team also organizes reading programs in libraries across neighboring counties, expanding access to Tibetan-language children's literature.

Over the past eight years, the initiative has grown steadily. The team has published more than 50 Tibetan-language picture books and produced over 200 free audiobooks for young listeners. To support these projects, Tashi Tsering has assembled a small team of translators and editors and regularly collaborates with authors from Tibetan communities in regions such as Qinghai. The collection also includes several original works inspired by traditional Tibetan culture.

Their books are increasingly reaching readers beyond Tibetan areas, with some purchased by educational institutions in major cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

Despite its cultural impact, the venture has faced significant financial challenges. For the past eight years, the bookstore has operated at a loss.

"My wife Tsomo has been my steadfast supporter," said Tashi Tsering. "She runs a cafe in Lhasa that helps sustain the bookstore."The couple also uses online platforms to promote their books and reading programs, hoping to reach more families.

Team members said the impact of the reading sessions is evident in the children who attend.

Tenzin Drolkar, who helps lead the storytelling activities, said she has witnessed children gradually become more confident through weekly reading sessions.

"In my experience, some children feel shy or anxious when they first hear a story," she said. "After a few sessions, they become more cheerful, expressive and start enjoying reading."

Encouraging families to cultivate early reading habits, however, remains a challenge. According to Tenzin Drolkar, some Tibetan parents — particularly those born in the 1990s and 2000s — are less confident using written Tibetan, making it harder for them to read stories to their children at home.

"In my experience, some children benefit from guidance at home when developing an interest in their mother tongue," she said. "Without it, they can sometimes be slower to engage with reading."

Parents attending the bookstore's activities said the programs help strengthen children's connection with their cultural roots.

"I feel some children today have fewer opportunities to learn about traditional culture, customs and language. Activities like this help deepen their connection to their heritage," said Tsering Drolma, who recently brought her younger sister to one of the events.

Former participants have also felt the long-term benefits. Monlam Yutso, who attended Nornor reading sessions as a child, said the early exposure helped her develop strong language skills.

"Now I'm studying in middle school," she said. "Even with a heavier academic workload, my foundation in reading and writing allows me to study with greater confidence."

"While Lhasa has made progress in providing inclusive preschools, resources such as locally developed picture books and early reading programs could still be strengthened," added Tashi Tsering.

The bookstore hopes to address these gaps by developing new materials tailored to Tibetan children, including interactive "point-reading" audiobooks and educational toys such as Tibetan alphabet blocks. Each year, the bookstore also hosts cultural activities to help children experience traditional festivals such as Losar, the Tibetan New Year.

Through stories, games and traditional costumes, the team hopes young readers will not only learn language skills but also develop a lasting connection to their cultural heritage.

Zheng Jinran contributed to this story.

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