Indian Children’s Books, Crafts, and Interactive Read Alouds
While Diwali is celebrated in many countries around the world, and by several different religions, it is one of India’s biggest holiday festivals. The third day of Diwali ~ Nov. 4th, 2021 this year~ is the main celebration of Diwali, and to celebrate: I’m sharing a collection of children’s books , bookish crafts, and interactive read alouds featuring Indian South Asian voices and stories.
Books
Below you’ll see a mini collection of books I’ve curated that feature Indian characters, stories, and voices. You’ll find stories of love, laughter, family, identity, adventure, holiday cheer, and hope. Click here for the full list of titles and links to order.
Crafts
I love extending the bookish fun beyond the book~ Check out these crafts inspired by several of mai favorite reads! Share what makes you beautiful with Laxmi, go on a great outdoor adventure with Fatima, and celebrate Diwali with Binny!
Perfect book craft to accompany the children’s book, “Laxmi’s Mooch” by Shelly Anand & Nabi H. Ali ~ A body-positive picture book about a young Indian American girl’s journey to accept her body hair and celebrate her heritage after being teased about her mustache.
Read aloud the story “Laxmi’s Mooch” and then encourage students to create their own *My Mooch* butterflies to accept and celebrate their own body hair and mooches.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Perfect craft to accompany the book “Fatima’s Great Outdoors” by Ambreen Tariq & Stevie Lewis ~ A beautiful Outdoor adventure story celebrating an immigrant family’s deep connection and affection for the outdoors. An #ownvoices story that shares the immigrant experience and the way our natural world is a loving home to all.
Read aloud the story “Fatima’s Great Outdoors” and then have students color, write and create this craft to record their own outdoor adventures and what they love about the outdoors. Students craft a a tent with a flap that flips open to reveal a picture of them with their loved ones and friends, and writing about their favorite outdoor activities, places, people to explore the outdoors with, and a favorite outdoor memory.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Perfect Diwali book craft activity to accompany the children’s book read aloud, “Binny’s Diwali” by Thrity Umrigar ~ a story that celebrates the Hindu Festival of Lights.
Read aloud the story “Binny’s Diwali” and then encourage students to create their own *My Diwali Diya* Craft to record what they learned about Diwali, and/or how they can spread light this Diwali.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Or check out this bundle of Asian + Asian American Children’s Book Crafts
Plus, you can find the the Full Collection of Diverse Children’s Book Crafts here:
Interactive Read Alouds
Plus, read along with MaiStoryBook YouTube for interactive, shared-reading read aloud adventures where I ask questions throughout the story, point out main themes and ideas, and introduce vocabulary to keep little learns engaged and participating throughout the story. Check out these read alouds featuring Indian Stories and Voices:
Click here to read along with MaiStoryBook’s Asian + Asian American Read Aloud Playlist, or click on the image-link below to read along to the individual titles.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I hope you found some reading recommendations to add to your own shelves and share with your littles. Please comment below and share any other Indian Children’s Book Titles to add to this themed collection.
*~Also, I’d love to see and hear about your own reading adventures you are having with your little learners, so please share your story times below in the comments –Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email . I’d love to hear from you!~*
Plus, checkout out MaiStoryBook’s Interactive Read Aloud Video Playlist of Diverse Reads here.
*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*
*This post contains affiliate links*