Teachers Guide for Dressing Up With Archchi (Grandmother)

LEVEL: Grades K - 5

THEMES

Asian Interest, Sri Lanka, Clothing, Customs, Diverse Books, Multicultural, Multi-generational, Empowerment, Creative Play

SYNOPSIS

A little girl visits her grandmother every Thursday for an afternoon of creative play. The book begins in traditional fashion with the girl and her grandmother dressing up in saris. But things change with the arrival of her brother. Wearing a Sri Lankan Devil Mask he pretends to be a monster while she grabs a sword and becomes the warrior princess.

BACKGROUND

Sri Lanka is a small island nation off the southern coast of India. This book celebrates both traditional and modern cultural values. It has no definite setting – the children could be locals or those of Sri Lankan descent living overseas. The girl has no name and can represent any little girl who loves to spend time with her grandmother.

The book celebrates a child’s ability to bridge the gap between traditional and modern life as well as the ability to be both feminine and strong. The story encourages children to wear traditional clothes and play at being a princess while being confident and assertive enough to battle monsters along the way.