Bakul Foundation has been trying to demonstrate the power of volunteerism in Odisha through initiatives in education, environment and the arts. It has been setting up libraries entirely through the resources of volunteers. As Bakul set up libraries, it perceived the absence and crying need for attractive picture books in Odia that help children to learn reading and to fall in love with books. The statistics were shocking- (According to the Annual Status of Education Report, about 50% children in Grade V could not read the Grade II textbook) Bakul Books is an initiative by Bakul Foundation to address that problem by creating books in Odia for early learners at par with the best in the world.