Maya/Neel New Book: Rakhi and Cricket!
π Exciting News Alert! π
We’re thrilled to unveil our newest adventure in the Maya & Neel series! ππ Get ready to dive into the world of cricket and celebrate Raksha Bandhan like never before β with a twist! ππ This story is all about inclusivity, breaking gender norms, and showing that Rakhi is for everyone! ππ«π¬π
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. π«π« Let’s redefine tradition together!
#NewBookAlert #InclusiveRakhi #CricketLovers #MayaAndNeel #RakshaBandhan #BreakingNorms #ChildrenBooks #DiversityAndInclusion #AdventureAwaits
Get your copy today!
Celebrate Raksha Bandhan Like Never Before β 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 (Indiaβs 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 bookβs 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 & Neelβs 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
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Celebrating Cricket and Empowering Girls: A Sneak Peek into Maya/Neel Raksha Bandhan Book
Cricket, often regarded as a religion in India, holds a special place in the hearts of millions. From bustling city streets to open fields in villages, the sound of bats hitting balls echoes across the nation. This love for the sport has inspired us to incorporate exciting cricket scenes in our upcoming Maya/Neel book, where Maya, our spirited protagonist, takes center stage with a cricket bat in hand.
Cricket’s popularity in India is unparalleled. It transcends age, gender, and social barriers, bringing people together in a shared passion. However, the visibility of girls and women excelling in sports, especially in media and literature, still needs significant attention. This is why it was crucial for us to showcase Maya playing cricket.
Representation matters. When young girls see characters like Maya excelling in sports, it inspires them to pursue their passions fearlessly. It tells them that they too can achieve greatness in any field they choose, including sports traditionally dominated by men. Through Maya’s cricket journey, we aim to break stereotypes and encourage girls to dream big, play hard, and be proud of their achievements.
As Maya steps onto the cricket pitch, she embodies the strength, determination, and skill that every girl possesses. Her story is not just about winning a game but about embracing challenges, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
Stay tuned for the release of our new book, and join Maya as she hits boundaries and scores runs, proving that girls belong in every field, including the cricket field. Let’s celebrate the spirit of cricket and the empowerment of girls together!
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 π
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 wrongβI 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