My Thoughts:
We have forgotten to pass along the value of folk art to hold our stories for our children and grandchildren. The ability to bridge cultures and countries through technology has created a gray monocrop of experiences. The value of this picture book is that it brings back into our consciousness the folk art, architecture and stories of regions that are not usually in picture books or any books.
The back matter introduces the reader to the villages in the harsh climate of the Rann of Kutch. The different cultures and traditions in this area have given Kutch the reputation of creating some of the most beautiful handicrafts in the world. This book represents some of the handiworks. It also highlights a bhunga, which is a unique house which is both an engineering wonder and a work of art. It is important to link up to non profits that allow these crafters, mostly women, to earn a living wage for their work, and this book helps readers to do just that.
As a secondary teacher who brings picture books into the classroom, the back matter and pronunciation guides act as mentor text for research.
From the Publisher:
Kesar’s baby sister Kamal will not sleep. Their entire village in the Great Rann of Kutch is kept awake by the infant’s cries and her parents are exhausted. When Kesar’s and Kamal’s ba comes to visit, her stories give Kesar a wonderful idea. Perhaps what Kesar needs to put her baby sister to sleep is a little bit of desert magic!
A vibrant celebration of traditional artisans from India, this picture book is a sweet sibling bedtime story at heart, featuring a big sister who figures out how to care for her baby sister with some help from her grandmother’s lovingly made gifts.
Author: Aditi Oza
Illustrator: Debasmita Dasgupta
Publisher: Yali Books
Publication date: May 31, 2022
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