DOCUMENT MUNE SO 001 877 ED 055 943 Indian Books for Use in TITLE D:.scovering India; A Guide to American Schools. Firstand Second Editions, Delhi (India). INSTITUTION Educational Resources Center, New PUB DATE 70 NOTE 34p. EDRS PRICE MF-$0.65 HC-$3.29 Cultural Studies; DESCRIPTORS Annotated Bibliographies; *Cross *Cultural Education; ElementaryGrades; *Humanities; *Indians; Secondary Grades;*Social Studies IDENTIFIERS *India ABSTRACT Over 100 selectedbooks by Indian authorsabout the editions of this culture of India are listedin the first and second bibliography. The guide isdivided into two parts. Thefirst section lists books for elementatyand secondary students.Titles are the content of arranged with informativeannotations that describe aid for each book. The secondsection, designed primarily as an the teachers, contains suggestionsconcerning use of these books at levels. All books primary, intermediate,junior high, and senior high less) and are availablefrom are reasonablypriced (wany are $1.00 or Inter Culture Associatesin Thompson, Connecticut. (SJN) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION & WELFARE DFFICE DF EDUCATIDN THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECES- SARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE 0 F EDU- CATION POSIPON OR POLICY. A guide to Indian Books for use in AmericanSchools 1 antereuiture(Issociates box277-THOMPS')N, CONNECTICUT 06277 A Guide toIndian Books Recommended for Use in AmericanSchools prepared by the Educational Resources Center, anundertak- ing of the University of the State of NewYork/The State Education Department, to develop materialsfor teaching and study about India in American schoolsand colleges Discovering India Table of Contents Bor'for the Elementary School 5 for the Secondary School 9 Srtggestions for Book UsePrimary School 12 Suggestions for Book UseIntermediate 13 Suggestions for Book UseJunior High 13 Suggestions for Book UseSenior High 14 Aids for the Teacher 14 MUCH PROGRESS has been irdein recent years The books are intended to complementand books on India now in teaching American childrenabout India, but the supplement the several good difficulties confrontir. , the conscientiousteacher are available in the United States, a rolewhich several still many. These difficulties mustbe tackled and factors equip them to play mostusefully. Written overcome because India isrelevant and important. by Indian writers for the most partand aimed at The homeland of one-seventh ofmankind, India may Indian readers, these books willfrequently bring into values in be underdeveloped economicallybut is second to sharp focus differences in attitudes and convincing because their none in thewealth of her creative contribution to a manner all the more they do human civilization, the richnessof her history, the authors do so unself-consciously, writing as insights of her sages, the songs of her poets,the con- for Indian readers. This fact also lendsadded weight tributions of her scientists and statesmen. tothe descriptionof similarities between diver- gent cultures. India has much to learn from the restof the world. Equally, India has much toteach. Just how The Educational Resources Center is not a com- in the many lessonsIndia can teach A merican children merical establishment and does not engage depends upon the availability ofclassroom time, book trade. On the other hand, the Centeris well teachers and materials, includingbooks. aware of the difficultieswhich American schools and teachers may encounter in their efforts toobtain Indian books written in English are not scarce. copies of the books listed in thisGuide. The Center India in fact ranks third in the worldin the number has therefore used its good officeswith a reputable currently some of English books produced every year, Indian book exporter and a specializededucational be sure than are 10,000 titlesfewer books to materials firm in America for the supplyof the books Great published annually in the United States and listed in the Guide, either as sets at aconcessional Britain, but more than in Canada,Australia and price, or individually, title by title.All prices noted select from so other English-speaking nations. To below are net, all are subject to changeand the cur- vast a number ofbooks those that can be macc useful rent availability cannotbe guaranteed. Discounts are about India is ob- for teaching American children available on bulk orders. viously no easy task. The EducationalResources Center has spent more than three yearsin collabora- Orders may be wr;`-nnn thP a tion with experts to prepare thisGuide. The books or on your school's stativaiuforu., and should be have been tested with Americanstudents and sent to: INTERCULTURE ASSOCIATES teachers both in India and in the UnitedStates. The BOX 277, Guide lists and recommends a selectionfrom this THOMPSON, CONNECTICUT06277 intensive evaluation by educators, writers,students All matters pertaining to availability, price, payment, and publishers, Indian and American. TheGuide is etc., should be handled withInterculture Associates. notdefinitive;ratherthe Educational Resources Comments or questions on the Guide or thebooks Center earnestly iavites suggestions, commentsand which itlists should be sent to the Educational critiques from every American teacherwho uses one Resources Center; P.O. Box 857, Radio CityStation, or more of therecommended books in the classroom. New York, N.Y. 10019. Such comments will receive seriousattention, and their cumulative effect will no doubtbe reflected in *** future revisions of the Guide. 4 SECTION I Books Recommended forthe ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The annotations which follow are designed to give 4.THE BULLOCK. Constance McCullough. New Delhi,1965.Paper. a synopsis of each book andcertain details of the Stapled. 28p. 400. books needed by librarians and th,-,% who order This is a simple tale with a strong, veryIndian moral. books. For the use of teachers and curi...eulurn build- 'Written by a non-Indian, it gives anexcellent intro- ers, a section on the LEVEL ANDSITUATION will duction, through a story, to Indian rural lifeand help in the selection of books which are most perti- the great part played in the human dramaby the nent at each grade level.This section appears on simple bullock. pages 1 2,1 3, 14. 1. THE BLACK PRINCESS AND OTHERSTORIES. 5.CHILDREN'S HISTORY OF INDIA. Bombay, India Book House. Board. 96p. Sheila Dhar. 4th ed., adhi, PublicationsDivision, 1965. Stories about contemporary India for children. These Paper. 154p. 950. are somewhat moralistic in tenor,but as the values An official history, this book does notfail into the which underlie are significantly different from the usual traps for such books. Simple, though abit severe American, they are useful in teaching about cultural both in literary style and mechanicaldetails, it has differences at a very basic level. Local color makes it been used successfully in Americanschools for stu- possible to illustrate India's great geographic and dents in the intermediate grades. Usefulfor preparing cultural diversity. Physically, the books' binding is short reports due to its topical organization. similar to those found on the racks of the local drug- store or supermarket. 6. CONSTITUTION OF INDIA FOR THE YOUNG READF" 2.BOMBAY. New Delhi,Tar,d Coury Jaional seah R. Sundaram. Bombay, R. Sundaram. Board , and Training, 1967. Paper. 56p. 500. A large-sized picture book featuring wry text and P.1.epared by a team of American and IndianedEzators, colorful, humorous pictures of scenes and sights in -his pamphlet is designed to teachIndian -_::adents Bombay, India's second-larrest and perhaps most cos- about the organization of their own govern ..ft-rt. It mopolitan city. Therefore it ,../rovin.?s a useful correc- goes well beyondthe strict outline of the Torstitu- tive to the prevailing viewF India as being all toiling don, diagramming political relationships at11 levels farmers and bullock carts. liesignefor foreigners, it of government. Includes the nationalan&en and requires no preparation for understanding. the national flag. Excellent. 3.BOSIMAKKA. M. Krishnan. 2nd ed. Nw Delhi, Children's Brok 7.GRANDFATHER'S PRIN ATE ZOO. Trust', 1967. Paper. Sta_ _ed Ruskin Bond. Bombay, Ir iia Book Hou: "oard. 61p. 95g. With beautiful illustrations, this story of a water buf- fatht'put his falo shc-s the central Lrnrcrtance of thisbeast in The writer was born in India, as was his Indian rural life. The authcx a namralist, is India's English lineage gives added perspective arL..: wit to cou,dn't say forernoF-.7 writer on wildlife and is noted for his grace- these stories of a kind grandfather who The pets are animals pecu- ful use of the English language. no to any prospective pets. 5 liar to India, seen in a rich, but intimatesetting in a teachers of the dance. All four of the majorstyles typicA British cantonment. Drawings,by India's fore- are covered: Bharata Natyam,Manipuri, Kathakali, most cartoonist, Mario, arefunny and delightful. and Kathak. 8.HARI AND OTHER ELEPHANTS. 13. INDIAN FAIRY TALE& Shankar. New Delhi, Children's Book Trust,1967. lk Raj Anand. 2nd ed., Bombay, Kutub-Popular, Board. 61p. 95g. 1966. Board. 104p. $2.75. A collection of stories about elephantswith fine color India's foremost man of 1,..tters retells some of the illustrations by the author, a famous cartoonist.I3oth most familiar tales for Indianreaders. This is the best text and pictures tell a greatdeal about Indian vil- of many such books for younger readers. It is valu- and lage life. able for an idea of the traditional culture its hints of the deep religious bias still persisting 9.THE HIDDEN POOL. in India. Ruskin Bond. New Delhi, Children's BookTrust, 1966. Paper. Stapled. 63p. 500. 14. JATAKA TALES FROM culture clues THE AJANTA MURALS. The story of an English boy learning the Anjali Pal. Bombay, India Book House, 1968. Board. of Indiaith two Indian boys in a series of adventures 103p. 750 set in or near the Himalayas.An excellent way to There are two great masses of legends familiar to approach the value conflicts of a 'West-meets-Eastsitu- most Indians, the Panchatantra(see number 23 be- ation.