®Día! Family Book Club Lesson Plan 4; Ages 4-8

Book InformationMy Mother’s Sari by Sandhya Rao

Pre-Club ActivitiesDecorate the library with fabric swatches of traditional Indian patterns. Set up a display area with both this book, and additional titles about India, mothers and traditional dress from around the world.

Club Activities

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Activity Description/Information

Introduction Introduce the book by showing a map of the world and pointing to India. Read the book aloud. Point out how the illustrations use both drawings and photographic images of sari fabrics.

Discussion Questions 1. Many of children in this book are using their imaginations and playing with the fabric of their Mother’s saris. Let’s list some of the things the children did with the fabric. Can you think of any more ideas of how you could pretend with fabric?

2. One of the children in the story says “I love the way it makes me dream.” What do you think the child means by that statement?

3. All of the children in this book are loved by their mommies. That is one way all mommies are the same. These children’s mommies wear saris, but most mommies in our community don’t wear saris. That is one way each mommy is special. Let’s make a list of ways that all mommies are similar, and another list of how each mommy is special.

4. Make another list of ways all children are the same and how each of you is special.

Family Activity Complete an interview worksheet with the parent answering a series of questions (sample questions below).

Small Group Activity In small groups, with groups cycling through craft stations:

1. Everyone, adults and children, draw a picture of your mother wearing your favorite outfit.

2. Using white fabric pieces and fabric markers create your own sari fabric pattern.

3. Use the instruction on the end papers and take turns wrapping one another in saris.

Full Group Activity Read aloud two additional books about mother’s from around the world. Suggested titles: “On Mother’s Lap” by Ann Herbert and “Mama Says: A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons” by Rob D. Walker.

®Día! Family Book Club Lesson Plan 4; Ages 4-8

Post Club Activities1. As a family, use fabric or blankets to engage in pretend play.

2. Visit an Indian market or grocery store.

3. Get out photo albums and look at pictures of parents as children. Parents share their childhood memories of their about their own mother’s.

Additional Resources for ClubSample interview questions:

1. Who in our family do you think I am most like?

2. How am I like you?

3. Have I ever surprised you?

4. What do I do that makes you laugh?

5. What do you think my best quality is?

6. Is there anything else you would like me to know?

Materials needed:

Long pieces of fabric for decorating and to use during the sari wrapping activity.

This lesson plan was created by Sherry Bridges, Masters Student, the School of Library & Information Studies at the University of Alabama. Work was edited by Jamie C. Naidoo, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies.