Largest Collection of Diverse Children’s Books!
Get ready for the largest celebration of diverse children’s books with Read Your World on Jan 30th! Read Your World is a non-profit dedicated to getting diverse books into the hands of readers, parents, and educators.
Come party with us!
When: January 30, 2025, 9 pm ET
Where: Zoom (register for the link)
Who: You! Along with families, educators, & special guests
Why: Join us for a fun-filled hour celebrating diverse books, with giveaways & more!
International Impact Book Award Winner!
We are beyond thrilled and deeply grateful to share that the Maya & Neel India Adventure Series has been honored with the International Impact Book Awards! 🎉✨
This recognition feels especially meaningful as it celebrates our latest book, which reimagines a traditional festival in a modern, inclusive light. ❤️🌍
We poured our hearts into creating a story that breaks stereotypes and opens up the joy of Raksha Bandhan to everyone—regardless of gender or role. Knowing that this message is resonating globally validates our mission in the most incredible way. 🙏✨
Thank you to all our readers, supporters, and the amazing community that inspires us to keep sharing these stories. Here’s to making every tradition more inclusive and every story more meaningful! 🧡📚
#InclusiveBooks #GlobalImpact #RakshaBandhanForAll #Mayaneelbooks
Maya/Neel New Book: Rakhi and Cricket!
🚀 Exciting News Alert! 🚀
We’re thrilled to unveil our newest adventure in the Maya & Neel series! 🏏📚 Get ready to dive into the world of cricket and celebrate Raksha Bandhan like never before – with a twist! 🌟💖 This story is all about inclusivity, breaking gender norms, and showing that Rakhi is for everyone! 🎉👫👬👭
Join Maya, Neel, and Chintu as they discover the true spirit of Raksha Bandhan, where siblings and friends tie Rakhis to each other, regardless of gender. 👫💫 Let’s redefine tradition together!
#NewBookAlert #InclusiveRakhi #CricketLovers #MayaAndNeel #RakshaBandhan #BreakingNorms #ChildrenBooks #DiversityAndInclusion #AdventureAwaits
Get your copy today!
Celebrate Raksha Bandhan Like Never Before – Boys and Girls tie Rakhis to each other, Best Friends join in, and Sisters protect their Brothers too!
Dive into a Modern and Inclusive Raksha Bandhan adventure with Maya, Neel, and Chintu as they celebrate this beautiful festival. Along the way, they also learn the rules of Cricket (India’s favorite sport), practice their batting and bowling skills, and enjoy the camaraderie and excitement of the game.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival that honors the bond between siblings. Traditionally, sisters tie Rakhi (decorative thread) to their brothers, wishing for their long life while brothers promise to protect their sisters.
In this book’s heartwarming celebrations, we attempt to expand the festival to embrace inclusivity and empower girls by highlighting their strength and protective roles. Our goal is to foster a sense of overall love and protection.
Why Choose This Book?
#16 in the beloved Maya & Neel’s India Adventure Series, this exciting book uniquely combines India’s favorite festival with the country’s most beloved sport. You will find:
Unique Perspective: A book that celebrates Raksha Bandhan with an inclusive, gender-neutral approach.
Cultural Insights: Learn about the customs of Raksha Bandhan and the basics of playing cricket, from batting and bowling to fielding and scoring.
Non-Religious Content for a Global Audience: Perfect for families of all backgrounds looking to explore new cultures.
Educational Fun: Combines storytelling with cultural education, making learning enjoyable.
Order Today!
Bring home this book today and embark on a journey of love, friendship, cultural discovery, and cricket excitement. Perfect for children aged 3-8 and a must-have addition to your bookshelf!
About Our Mission
Maya & Neel’s India Adventures 10+ Book Series is written with the mission to RAISE MULTICULTURAL KIDS! We are Indie authors and 1st generation Indian immigrants, who have dedicated the past 15 years to spreading multiculturalism through dance & culture workshops as well as through this book series whose extreme popularity has taken even us by surprise. To all our little and grownup readers: Thank You for supporting our work & mission!
For bulk orders or author visits, please contact ajanta@bollygroove.com
Our Series is Available Worldwide (BollyGroove.com/Books)
Festivals: Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Raksha Bandhan, Vaisakhi, Ramadan & Eid Mythology: Ganesha, Krishna, Ramayana Places: Delhi & Taj Mahal, Mumbai Wedding Diwali & Holi 50 Activity Book Gift Sets 1 & 2
Free Workshops & Social Media
Facebook: @culturegroove Instagram: @culturegroovekids
Free dances/stories/crafts workshops in a community of 4,400 families: BollyGroove.com/free
A Children’s Book to Break Gender Norms
Growing up in a city steeped in gender bias, Raksha Bandhan always evoked a complex mix of emotions in me. From as early as age five, I began rebelling against the phrases “girls can’t do that” or “girls are weaker,” and the premise of Raksha Bandhan never sat right with me.
For those unfamiliar with the festival, Raksha Bandhan is an annual Indian celebration where sisters tie a decorative thread (Rakhi) around their brother’s wrist. The sister wishes for her brother’s long life, and in return, the brother promises to protect her. Protect. Only protect. Because, of course, she needs all the protection while he simply needs to live long 🙂
Looking at the stories associated with this festival, the same theme emerges repeatedly. The epic Mahabharata has a harrowing episode where Draupadi is protected by Krishna in a moment of crisis. The now-questioned story of Rani Karnavati being saved by Emperor Humayun follows the same pattern.
Efforts have been made to justify or tweak these narratives. “Ajanta, you are making a big deal out of it. Just think of it as a festival to celebrate the sibling bond,” people say. But then, why doesn’t the brother tie a Rakhi on his sister? Why don’t two brothers or two sisters celebrate it? Wouldn’t they also get a chance to showcase their love and care through this festival?
That’s where the idea for this book came about. The festival has such a wonderful overall sentiment. Why not extend it beyond gender norms? One of the main characters experiences this realization right in the book’s pivotal scene.
Don’t get me wrong—I am terrified. We are challenging the fundamentals of a centuries-old festival, and there is a significant chance we will face harsh criticism. But the desire and conviction to strip away the gender norms from a beautiful festival and transform it into the ultimate celebration of a loving bond triumphs every time.
#BreakTheBias #MayaNeelBooks #GenderNorms #NewBookRelease
#ModernTraditions #CelebrateLove #GenderEquality
5 Reasons why Kids should learn Mythology
1. Engaging Stories
Myths are typically filled with compelling stories that capture the imagination.
These narratives often feature heroes, gods, and magical creatures that intrigue children and hold their attention.
This makes learning about the culture that produced these myths more enjoyable and memorable.
For example, the delightful story of Krishna sneaking butter makes every child smile!
2. Cultural Values and Norms
Myths often reflect the values, morals, and societal norms of the cultures they come from.
Through these stories, children can learn about what various cultures might value in terms of bravery, wisdom, honesty, and other virtues.
This helps children understand and respect cultural differences.
For example, Hindu mythology has numerous stories about bravery, about taking a risk for the benefit of the masses, and so on. The story of Krishna facing the fearsome Kaliya demonstrates exactly that!
3. Historical Context
Many myths are steeped in the historical and environmental context of a culture.
They can provide insights into how people in those cultures lived, what they feared, what they celebrated, and how they explained natural phenomena or the universe around them.
For example, wit and intelligence has long been celebrated around the world over brute strength. Ganesha, known for his wit and wisdom, is believed to have won a contest with his brother of racing around the world by simply circling around his parents and calling them his “world”!
4. Critical Thinking
Myths often present complex narratives with moral dilemmas and philosophical questions.
This can help children develop critical thinking skills as they analyze the characters’ decisions and the consequences of those decisions.
For example, Ganesha’s mother asked her to guard the door as she took a bath. Shiva, Ganesha’s father and who Ganesha had never met before, tried to enter. Ganesha fearlessly takes on the mighty Shiva and even gets injured in the process. It sure provides something to think about to the kids!
5. Universal Themes
While myths are culturally specific, they often deal with universal themes like love, conflict, adventure, and transformation.
This can help children see the commonalities between their own culture and others, promoting empathy and global awareness.
For example, the story of Krishna’s father carrying him in a basket on his head and crossing a river to take Krishna to safety, sounds a bit familiar to Moses in the basket.
Similarly, Krishna facing his evil uncle, Kamsa, in a battle is similar to the stories of Horus and Set!
Get our Krishna and Ganesha books
Embark on a delightful journey through Indian mythology with our children’s books, “Let’s Celebrate Krishna’s Birthday” and “Let’s Celebrate Ganesha’s Birthday”.
Perfectly tailored for a global audience, these books bring the enchanting stories of Krishna and Ganesha to life in a way that’s fun, educational, and suitable for young readers aged 3-8.
Each book is filled with vibrant illustrations and age-appropriate narratives that capture the essence of India’s rich cultural heritage.
Whether uncovering Krishna’s mischievous escapades or marveling at Ganesha’s wisdom, these stories are designed to entertain, enlighten, and inspire curiosity in children, making them a fantastic addition to any family’s bookshelf.
