The Sunrise Readers were first written and published in 1984/1985 in Zimbabwe because there was a need for relevant, local material.  Children need(ed): • to be able to identify with books reflecting characters and context within their own experience • character-building stories with good values • fun stories and fables • bright, colourful, attractive, and appealing books • a combination of approaches for learning to read • simple, effective and user-friendly books.