Grandfather arrives from India on a visit to his grandchildren’s house, following imaginative stories about his country of origin.
Grandad finds warmth and great hospitality from the family, who settled in an unnamed country where the weather seems different and provokes a conversation of how it is an India. Being a skilful storyteller, he uses many comparisons to describe it – the sun is a “ferocious tiger”, the wind is a “wild horse”, “the monsoon rain is like a curtain”, and the snow on the Himalayan mountains is an “ice cream…melting on your tongue”. The reader learns about India by following Grandad and Ravi (the grandson) in the park and at the market, where they buy food to be cooked and shared at supper. The spirit of togetherness continues with a colourful account of Diwali, music, dance, drawing, and well-wrapped vivid pictures of India’s beauties.
“Elephant Dance: A Journey to India” shows the importance of family and communication across generations. An excellent resource for cross-curricular teaching, the book offers information about geography, religion, culture and food at the end of the story. Animal lovers will find facts about some rare species of monkeys, such as the Hanuman Langur.
A valuable addition to any Primary school bookshelf to explore a country and be aware of the physical and cultural differences of the world.
Further Information:
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Free resources:
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The Stats:
- Title: Elephant Dance: A Journey to India
- Author and Illustrator: Theresa Heine & Sheila Moxley
- ISBN: 1-905236-78-6
- Publication Date: 2006
- Page Count: 40
- Publisher: Barefoot Books
- Recommended age: 5-10
Categories/Topic: India, cross-generations, cross-curricular teaching
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