Summary
This story is about a young Indian girl who is leaving the United States to visit India for a family wedding. The young girl is nervous, but the story takes us along her journey teaching readers about the Indian culture. In the story, readers are introduced to the Hindi speaking language of the Hindu culture, Indian fashion, and Indian traditions like getting henna tattoos on your hands and feet. Although the young girl is nervous to meet her extended family, she is warmly welcomed.
Theme(s):
Family, Tradition, Culture
Personal Response
I really enjoyed this story because although the young girl is a different ethnicity and culture than me, I found her experiences going to a new place and meeting new people to be very relatable. I think children would also find this to be relatable, all while learning about the Hindu culture. I would include this in my classroom library because not only is it a multicultural book, but it shares to importance of keeping family traditions alive.
Teaching Ideas
This story can be used to teach children about the Hindu culture. The book has some words spoken in Hindu, which children can learn since there is a glossary in the book. This story can also be used to teach character traits. Children can describe how Bindiya is feeling in the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Children can also describe the mischievous monkey that is in the story, and how the monkeys traits change or stay the same overtime.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 02, Grade 03, Grade 04
