Annual Haircut Day- ONCE AGAIN!

Title: "Annual Haircut Day- ONCE AGAIN!"

Picture of the cover:

Written: Rohini Nilekani

Illustrated: Angie & Upesh

Published: Pratham Books

Year of Publication: 2021

Grade Level(s): 1st-2nd

Genre: Picture Book

Theme: Overcoming Challenges, Adaptability

Author's brief biography: Rohini Nilekani is an Indian author, philanthropist, and social activist. She has written several books for children, including "Annual Haircut Day," and is the founder of the Arghyam Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works towards water conservation.

Synopsis: It is the Annual Haircut Day in Sringeri Srinivas's village, but this year is different. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there is a lockdown in the town, and the barbershop is closed. Sringeri Srinivas is determined to get his annual haircut, but who will help him? Read this heartwarming story to find out how he overcomes this challenge.

Pre-reading strategies:

• Show the cover of the book and ask students to predict what the story might be about.
• Discuss what a lockdown is and ask students if they have experienced one.
• Introduce any new vocabulary words that may be in the story, such as "pandemic" or "quarantine."
• Show students a picture of a barbershop and ask them to identify different things they see.

During reading strategies:

• Pause periodically and ask students questions to check for understanding, such as "Why is the barbershop closed?" or "Why does Sringeri Srinivas want to get his haircut?"
• Encourage students to make connections between the story and their own experiences, such as "Have you ever had to change your plans because of something unexpected?" or "Have you ever had to find a new solution to a problem?"
• Ask students to predict what might happen next in the story.
  
  

Post-reading strategies:

• Ask the students to draw a picture of Sringeri Srinivas getting his haircut uniquely.
• Have a class discussion about how people can adapt to unexpected situations, such as a lockdown or a pandemic.
• Ask the students to write a letter to Sringeri Srinivas, advising him on what he could have done differently to get his haircut.
• Ask students to summarize the story in their own words.
• Have students discuss how they felt during the different parts of the story, such as when Sringeri Srinivas was trying to find a way to get his haircut.

Reflection:

"Annual Haircut Day- ONCE AGAIN!" is a heartwarming story that teaches children about overcoming challenges and finding new solutions to unexpected situations. I appreciate how the story addresses the impact of the pandemic and how it has affected people's lives. The illustrations in the book are bright and engaging, and the language used is simple and accessible for young readers. Overall, this book would be a great addition to any classroom library and a helpful tool for teachers to help their students understand the importance of adaptability.

Reference:
https://storyweaver.org.in/stories/162976-annual-haircut-day-once-again?mode=read