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I is for India – Reading the World from A to Z April Blog Challenge

April 10, 2015 Claire Annette Noland 13 Comments

Well, globe trotters, let’s zoom on over to India and read:

finders cover larger

Finders Keepers? A True Story in India
By Robert Arnett (author) and Smita Turakhia (illustrator)
Picture book ages 5 – adult

Author Robert Arnett is a frequent traveler to India. In fact, he has written a travel guide called India Unveiled. In Finders Keepers, he writes about a fascinating journey he took in Northwest India.. He was riding a crowded bus over a bumpy road to Mt. Abdu in Rajasthan. The bus was filled with men, women, and children who packed inside. There were more people than seats, so some brave boys and men rode on top of the bus. Instead of complaining, people laughed and talked as though they were one big family. They stopped and shared food in the countryside where bats hung from the trees. One man even took off his turban to reveal his lunch of flat bread called chapatis sitting on his head.

finders bus

While shopping, the author felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see an Indian boy holding out his wallet that he had dropped while shopping. Arnett opened his wallet and tried to give the boy a reward for his honesty but the boy refused. The author found a translator and tried again to reward the boy who once again refused. The boy said that he didn’t understand why he should be rewarded because returning the wallet was the right thing to do.

Finders Keepers? is the best sort of travel book. It is explores the geography, language, art, and food of India. The culture and people are described in a positive and respectful way. It gives us much to think about and is a good starting point for a discussion on honesty and making good choices. The pictures are painted in glowing color and show the beauty of India. Arnett includes a glossary of terms and vocabulary. It is evident how much he appreciates India. This is a wonderful geography book which introduces us to a vibrant culture and makes us remember that it is always best to do the right thing. Namaste.

ST_05

This is a illustration of a toran which are hung over doorways to welcome God and guests.

 

Filed Under: Books, Field Trips, Multicultural Children's Books, Places Tagged With: a to z blog challenge, children's books about India, Finders Keepers? a True Story of IndiaSmita Turakhia illustrator, India travel guide, Robert Arnett author

Previous Post: « H is for Hawaii
Next Post: J is for Japan – a to z reading the world blog challenge »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz A. says

    April 10, 2015 at 3:47 am

    What a great story.

    Reply
  2. Amy Bovaird says

    April 10, 2015 at 5:38 am

    What a great blog! I loved that and even though I am not a child, I think I’d like that book. I have traveled to India a few times and enjoyed it so much!
    Will definitely return to read some more of your posts!
    Amy (New writer from A to Z Blogging Challenge).
    http://amybovaird.com/h-is-for-hair/

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 10, 2015 at 6:55 pm

      Hi Amy, thanks for your visit. India does seem like such a fascinating place. Hopefully, I’ll get there eventually.

      Reply
  3. Stephen Tremp says

    April 10, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    India looks like a fun place to visit. I really think we’ll make it over there some day.

    Stopping in from A to Z and thanks for the continued participation!

    Stephen Tremp
    A to Z Co-host
    Twitter: @StephenTremp

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 10, 2015 at 6:45 pm

      I agree – it looks fascinating but for now I’ll just be visiting via books. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  4. Allison says

    April 10, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    Oooh, this looks like a great book! I’ll definitely check it out! I love books that help to transport me somewhere, give a feel for what it might be like to visit, and have pretty illustrations to boot!
    Also, I LOVE the font that this comment is being written in, the font you used for your headings (it looks like). So cool (and so much prettier than my real handwriting!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 13, 2015 at 4:19 am

      Hi Allison,
      Thanks for stopping by. It is fun to travel with books and dream about going there for real someday.

      Reply
  5. Thru His vessel JB says

    April 10, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    This story sounds wonderful. I love the theme of your A-Z Blog challenge.

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 13, 2015 at 4:11 am

      Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s fun to travel through books.

      Reply
      • Della says

        July 19, 2016 at 2:14 am

        So cute! Thanks for sharing. I just found your blog and am uber impressed. You may just see some of your work on my bli..g.credoted of course! 😉

        Reply
  6. Thru His vessel JB says

    April 10, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    I love the theme of your blog challenge. Very interesting and the pictures that accompany them are wonderful!

    Reply
  7. orneryswife says

    April 12, 2015 at 12:12 am

    What a cool theme! I wish I had some kids to read some of these stories to… well, maybe not. 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 13, 2015 at 4:07 am

      You don’t have to be a kid or have a kid around to read kid’s books. I think many are works of art.

      Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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