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Ambedkarite Buddhist Global Network UK

Family Reading Booklet

Stories, reading lists and gentle activities for children and parents.

"Educate, Agitate, Organise."— Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
For: _______________________________
From: _______________________________

In this booklet

Contents

  • 1 Six big-hearted reformers
  • 2 Reading shelf, by age group
  • 3 Six gentle weekend activities
  • 4 A note for parents

Take this booklet to your local public library, most titles are available at Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and London libraries. Or order online.

The Kind Emperor

Samrat Ashoka

Samrat Ashoka

304 BCE — 232 BCE

Ashoka was once a fierce emperor who won many battles. But after one big war he saw how much sadness it caused, and his heart changed forever. He learned about the Buddha's gentle teachings and chose kindness. He built hospitals (even for animals!), planted trees along roads, and sent teachers all over Asia to share peace.

Did you know?The big blue wheel on the Indian flag, the Ashoka Chakra, is named after him!
Try this at homeDraw your own peace wheel with 24 spokes, what does each spoke mean to you?

1 of 6 reformers

The Brave Ruler

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

1630 — 1680

Shivaji was a brave king who built strong forts on hilltops and protected the common people. He believed every person, rich or poor, of any religion, deserves to live with dignity. He treated soldiers and farmers with respect and showed that a true leader serves their people.

Did you know?He could ride a horse up a steep mountain fort, and his hill-forts are still standing today!
Try this at homeBuild a fort from blankets, pillows or LEGO. Who would you protect inside?

2 of 6 reformers

The Teacher Who Opened Schools

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule

1827 — 1890

Long ago in India, girls were not allowed to go to school. Mahatma Phule and his amazing wife Savitribai said: that's not fair! Together they opened the very first school for girls in 1848. Some people threw stones at Savitribai for teaching, but she carried two saris and changed when she got to school. They never gave up.

Did you know?Savitribai is called India's first woman teacher, and Phule called her his guru!
Try this at homeSay thank you to a teacher this week. They helped you learn just like Savitribai did.

3 of 6 reformers

The Question-Asker

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy

1879 — 1973

Periyar believed nobody should be treated as 'less than' anyone else. He kept asking, why? why? why?, about old rules that hurt people. He worked hard so girls and boys, and people of every group, would be treated with the same respect. Asking questions is how the world gets better!

Did you know?Periyar lived to be 94 years old, and never stopped asking 'why?'
Try this at homeToday, ask three 'why?' questions about something you think is unfair.

4 of 6 reformers

The Champion of Equality

Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

1891 — 1956

When Babasaheb was a little boy, he was made to sit on the floor at school because of his caste. But he loved learning so much that he travelled all the way to America and London to study! He became the very first person to write India's Constitution, the rulebook that says EVERY child is equal. Later he showed millions of people the path of the Buddha.

Did you know?Babasaheb collected over 35,000 books, one of the biggest private libraries ever!
Try this at homeRead for 10 minutes today. Babasaheb said: 'Read, read, and read again.'

5 of 6 reformers

The Storyteller

Anna Bhau Sathe

Anna Bhau Sathe

1920 — 1969

Anna Bhau wrote songs and stories about the brave farmers, workers and ordinary people of his village. He went to school for only a year and a half, yet he wrote 35 whole books! He proved that a beautiful story can come from anyone, anywhere, if they have something true to say.

Did you know?His songs (called 'powadas') were sung in town squares to bring people hope and courage.
Try this at homeWrite a short story or song about someone in your family who works hard.

6 of 6 reformers

The reading shelf

Books we love, by age group.

Ages 5–7 · Read with grown-ups

  1. The Three Questions, Jon J. Muth
    A Buddhist parable about kindness.
  2. Zen Shorts, Jon J. Muth
    Three calm Zen tales for children.
  3. Peaceful Piggy Meditation, Kerry Lee MacLean
    Simple meditation for big feelings.
  4. A Boy Named Bhim, Indian publishers
    Young Babasaheb's childhood story.

Ages 8–12 · Independent readers

  1. Buddha at Bedtime, Dharmachari Nagaraja
    20 illustrated Jataka tales.
  2. Buddha Stories, Demi
    Picture-book biography of the Buddha.
  3. Prince Siddhartha, Jonathan Landaw & Janet Brooke
    Full life of the Buddha for older kids.
  4. Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Man Who Wrote India's Constitution, Children's Book Trust
    Babasaheb's life for middle-graders.
  5. Shivaji the Great Maratha, Amar Chitra Katha
    Graphic-novel biography of Shivaji.

Ages 13+ · Teen readers

  1. Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability, Srividya Natarajan & S. Anand
    Award-winning graphic novel.
  2. Old Path White Clouds, Thich Nhat Hanh
    The Buddha's life in 81 short chapters.
  3. Annihilation of Caste (Annotated), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
    Foundational essay, annotated edition.
  4. The Essential Ambedkar, Penguin
    Selected short essays by Babasaheb.

For grown-ups & family reading

  1. The Buddha and His Dhamma, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
    Foundation text of Navayana Buddhism.
  2. Ambedkar: A Life, Shashi Tharoor
    Clear, recent biography of Babasaheb.
  3. Caste Matters, Suraj Yengde
    Modern essay on caste & dignity.
  4. Why I Am a Buddhist, Stephen T. Asma
    Gentle introduction to Buddhist philosophy.

Family activities

Six gentle ideas for the weekend.

  1. Draw a Dharma WheelDraw your own peace wheel with 24 spokes. What does each spoke stand for in your family?
  2. A Letter of ThanksWrite a short letter to a grandparent, teacher or neighbour. Babasaheb said gratitude is a form of strength.
  3. Read for 10 MinutesRead a story together every evening, Buddha tales, Jataka tales, or any reformer's biography.
  4. Quiet BreathSit quietly for 1 minute before dinner. Notice your breath. That's how the Buddha taught children to begin meditation.
  5. Ask 3 'Why?' QuestionsLike Periyar, pick something at school or in your community that doesn't seem fair, and ask why.
  6. Help Someone TodayHelp a younger sibling, set the table, or share a snack. Small acts of kindness build a kinder world.

A note for parents

Talk gently. Listen always. Read together.

The reformers we honour at ABGN-UK lived through hardships we hope our children never face. When discussing topics like caste, courage and equality, use age-appropriate language and invite questions. The goal isn't to impress facts onto our children, it's to build an inner sense of dignity, kindness and curiosity that they will carry for life.

"A great man is the servant of society."— Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Ambedkarite Buddhist Global Network UK, United Kingdom
info@ambedkaritebuddhistglobalnetworkuk.com
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