10 Gulab Jamuns: Counting With an Indian Sweet Treat
What’s inside...
10 Gulab Jamuns is a delightful children's book that combines STEM elements with multicultural learnings. The story follows Idu and Adu, two children who are excited about the special dessert their Mama is making for guests—Gulab Jamuns. The narrative not only entertains with its light-hearted and humorous tone but also educates with counting, addition, and subtraction. The book includes a recipe for making Gulab Jamuns, making it a hands-on learning experience. Aimed at children ages one to eight, it is an ideal gift for those interested in South Asian culture and promotes diversity in children's literature. The book has been well-received by notable reviewers and is included in educational curriculums due to its engaging approach to teaching math and cultural appreciation.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Isha and Ishaan wanted more gulab jamuns?
How do you think their mother felt when they asked for more sweets?
What are some ways that Isha and Ishaan could help their mom in the kitchen?
Can you think of a time when you wanted more of something that was limited? What did you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use real sweets, like gulab jamuns if available, or another treat to visually demonstrate the counting concepts in the book.
Discuss the importance of moderation by relating the story to similar situations in the child’s life involving food or treats.
Encourage your child to count items around the house for practice, making a game out of counting various objects.
Allow your child to assist in simple kitchen tasks to foster a connection with Isha and Ishaan’s experiences in the book.
Reinforce the cultural aspects by exploring more about Indian cuisine and traditions together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of self-control
Explanation: The story showcases two young brothers who struggle to resist the tempting gulab jamuns, eventually learning the consequences of not practicing self-control.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the value of patience and restraint in daily situations like sharing toys or waiting for their turn in activities.
Example Lesson: Counting and basic math skills
Explanation: As the brothers keep track of the gulab jamuns they eat, the book introduces basic counting and subtraction which are fundamental math skills.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children in everyday life by improving their ability to manage simple numbers, be it counting their toys, steps they take, or snacks they eat.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: Through the narrative, children learn that every action has a consequence as the brothers face the repercussions of eating too many sweets.
Real-World Application: Kids can relate this to understanding outcomes from their actions, such as cleaning up toys to avoid losing them or being kind to make friends.
Example Lesson: Cultural awareness
Explanation: The book integrates aspects of Indian culture through food, showcasing the traditional sweet, gulab jamun, which can help foster cultural diversity awareness.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to explore and appreciate diverse cultures within their community or school, promoting inclusivity and curiosity about different traditions.