Theme:

`Achint’s Diwali’ offers a Sikh child’s perspective of Diwali celebrations. Through the eyes of its main character, Achint, the book tells a story of his Diwali and Bandi Chorh Diwas celebrations. Achint reflects on the preparation, exciting entertainments, remembering feelings, expectations and recalling highlights in child friendly language.

 

`Achint’s Diwali’ draws on a variety of sources, including interviews with Faith members, to provide a stimulating and secure recount. The current illustrations provide an idea of the illustrations which would best draw out the events, feelings and experiences.

 

Rationale:

Whilst schools currently explore Christianity and Islam in great detail due to the vast number of resources and societal demands, there is an increasing need to devote more learning time to other religions.  Children and teachers alike are becoming aware that focussing solely on 2 or 3 religious groups is not reflective of modern society.  In this story, Early Years children are offered a new understanding of Diwali celebrations, and children from year 2 upwards are given a basis on which to explore, compare and develop their RE skills. 

 

I am an Early Years teacher (Reception to Year 3) and an RE Co-ordinator and have taught in the Midlands for over 13 years.  I started writing faith based stories and simple non-fiction texts a few years ago in an endeavour to provide child friendly, age appropriate resources where none were available.  These have been enjoyed by children aged 4 - 11 and offered a starting point for learning.  I have thus written this book in response to the lack of resources available on Sikh celebrations (aimed at FS & KS1).

 

Over the past decade, working in the West Midlands, I have become increasingly aware of the growing Sikh population in the UK (as evidenced by the 2011 census), however, primary schools are still largely forced to focus on Hinduism, during Diwali in particular, due to a lack of age appropriate Sikh resources.  This is causing frustration amongst teachers as Sikhism also offers many exciting stories and festivals which children should be encouraged to explore as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, but are currently unable to.   Whilst Sikhs do not make a large population of every city in the UK, as the RE curriculum is set locally, not nationally, places such as the West Midlands and London who are currently experiencing up to 10 % Sikh population, are calling out for Sikh child friendly texts.

 

 

Objectives:

I have used this books across the Infant school in which I currently work as a starting point for learning about the religion and beliefs in the children’s local community.  It has been a platform upon which to introduce the Sikh Diwali celebrations.  With KS1 children I extended this to encouraging children to raise questions and begin to express their own views in response to the celebrations, comparing it with Hindu celebrations explored in previous years.

 

 

 

Main selling points:

• Child friendly, lively and stimulating language.

• Well researched and already shown to be well received by, and have positive effects on, learners aged 4-7 years old.

• Desperately needed resource within the Primary School.

 

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Figures and/or Illustrations:

• I have used cut and paste from google due to my lack of art skills.  I suggest these are drawn from and recreated by an illustrator.

 

Text features:

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• The original text is in powerpoint as this is the easiest method for me, as a teacher and RE Co-ordinator, to share it with children in its current unpublished state.

• I would consider including a glossary if you felt it necessary (see review attached)

 

 

Market and Competition

• The book’s primary readership would be Primary school, particularly appropriate for children in Reception to year 2, extending to year 3.

• A secondary market may be Sikh community members themselves so that they can share festivities with their own children.  This would be even more likely if it was presented in dual languages.

 

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As mentioned earlier, this book was written in response to the lack of fiction books on Sikh Diwali celebrations.  Having scoured libraries and the internet I could find no books which addressed this.  There are a few non-fiction texts such as ` How And Why Do Hindus And Sikhs Celebrate Divali?’ written by Mead, Jean.  However, no fictional and child accessible books.  This use of fiction provides an exciting and non-threatening / entertaining way into the subject.  This makes it easier for the learner to discuss, question and empathise with Achint and Sikh children.

 

Reviewers:

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• Please find below quotes from children who have shared this book:

 

“It’s about Achint and Diwali but he’s Sikh.” (Aged 5)

 

“I like the way you feel like you were there with him, it’s exciting!” (Aged 6)

 

“My favourite part of the book is when he wonders whether you could see the lights on the Gurudwara from the moon.” (Aged 6)

 

“The book is about Achint’s adventures during Bhandi Chorh Diwas and Diwali.”  (Aged 10)

 

“I like this book because it sounds so realistic, it is like he is speaking.” (Aged 8)

 

“I feel it needs a glossary as sometimes the explanations can make me forget the story.” (Aged 10)