Tricolor everywhere. Yes, a country which has one of the richest and vivid histories and heritage, a country which is world-famous for hospitality, a country that has the largest democracy is celebrating it’s 73rd Independence Day. August 16th holiday doesn’t just mean we can sleep and play all day after the flag hoisting. We as adults need to tell our kids about the greatness, struggle and many interesting facts about this country.
Wait! They would have listened to many speeches already in school. So instead of coming up with a speech, let them know about our country through these amazing story books by famous authors. Below are a few books we have handpicked for our little readers to know more about India in a fun way.
Excuse Me, Is This India?
The narrator becomes a mouse in this story, which gets swept away on an unexpected trip to India. It clearly shows to which extent can a child imagination go. This beautiful book with amazing illustrations is definitely worth a read.
Suitable for: 3 – 6.
Author Name: Anushka Ravishankar, Anita Leutwiler.
Publication: Tara Books.
Buy it from: Amazon/Flipkart.
We, The Children of India
We, the children of India is the story about India’s laws. Former Chief Justice Leila Seth makes the words of the Preamble to the Constitution understandable to even the youngest reader. What is a democratic republic, why are we secular, what is sovereignty? There are many things in this about the Indian Constitution which kids cannot miss.
Suitable for: 6 – 9.
Author Name: Leila Seth.
Publication: Penguin Books.
Mukand and Riaz
India and Pakistan partition issue in 1947 created a rift between people in the country. But children and their friendships don’t have any wire fencing. All the children play games, enjoy and also feel the loss of friends. The use of patchwork and quilting techniques for the illustrations in this book will surely attract your child.
Suitable for: 3 – 6.
Author Name: Nina Sabnani.
Publication: Tulika Books.
A Flight of Pigeons
The story is about Ruth Labadoor and her family who take help of Hindus and Muslims to reach their relatives when the family’s patriarch is killed in a church by the Indian rebels.
Suitable for: 6 – 9.
Author Name: Ruskin Bond.
Publication: Penguin Books.
Saffron White and Green: The Amazing Story of India’s Independence
This is a story written for children about India’s struggle for freedom and how it won Independence. This narrative clearly makes children understand about powerless, unarmed people of India who came together to defeat the mightiest British empire.
Suitable for: 6 – 9.
Author Name: Subhadra Sengupta.
Publication: Penguin Books.
Do give these books a try but as I always say, these are some of the books that the mommy me enjoyed reading with her little one. It may happen that your junior won’t like some or all the books from this list and that’s perfectly fine. Every child has his/her own preferences, let’s just respect their choices and read them what they want.
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