Ganesha Coloring Book, Ages 4-8

Who it's for

Children aged 4 to 8 who are meeting Bappa for the first time, or who already shout "Ganpati Bappa Morya!" louder than anyone else in the house. The pictures are big and bold with no fiddly detail, so a young child can finish one in a sitting.

Every page carries one line about the picture and one or two lines of learning: what the big ears, the broken tusk, the mouse and the modak have been teaching children for a very long time. It works as a coloring book and as a gentle first book of the stories. If you would like to tell the story before you open the book, we have written it out for children here.

Inside the book

First, the story of Ganesh Chaturthi in 12 pictures, from Parvati's clay boy to the farewell at the sea. Then these pictures, each with a line about it and a lesson underneath:

• Peshwa Ganpati – Rest is part of wisdom, not the opposite of it.
• Kamal Ganpati – Rise above what surrounds you, without hating it.
• Shankh Ganpati – Every good beginning deserves a clear, brave sound.
• Undish Ganpati – Rule your wishes, or they will rule you.
• Bappa Before the Shivling – Respect for your parents is the first wisdom.
• Yoga Ganapati – Five quiet breaths can change a whole day.
• Bengal's Clay Bappa – Look at people the way you wish to be looked at.
• Goa's Clay Bappa – Honest work done with care is a prayer.
• Bappa on a Big Throne – The raised hand says: do not fear.
• Bappa with a Tall Crown – Wear your best thoughts like a crown.
• Bappa as Shri Ram – Ram always kept his word.
• Bappa as Krishna – Joy is a way of teaching too.
• The Shiv Family – Peace at home is the first peace.
• Bappa and Hanuman – Strong like Hanuman, wise like Ganesha.
• Bappa on the Moon – Curiosity and patience took India to the Moon.
• Bappa on the Peacock – Enough is a feast.
• Bappa on the Lion – Real courage stays calm.
• Bappa Balancing on a Ball – Balance takes practice, every day.
• Bappa in the Temple Doorway – Step into stillness before you pray.
• The Pandal at Night – In front of God, everyone is family.
• Bappa's Makhar at Home – Give goodness the best place in your heart.
• Sharing a Laddoo – What you share comes back sweeter.
• Bappa Plays the Dhol – Welcome good things loudly and gladly.
• Jhula Bappa – Rest is part of wisdom too.
• The Murti Workshop – What you make with care makes you too.
• Bringing Bappa Home – Welcome good things into your life loudly and gladly.
• Aarti Time – Share your light; it does not get smaller.
• Modak and Laddoo – What is offered with love returns as sweetness.
• Durva Grass and Hibiscus – God does not count the gift, only the love in it.
• Visarjan by the Sea – Let go gracefully; nothing loved is ever lost.
• Finish Bappa – Balance both halves, just as Ganesha balances wisdom and joy.
• Design Your Own Bappa – So does every day.

How to use it

• Read the story pages in order. The book begins with the story of Ganesh Chaturthi in twelve pictures, from Parvati's clay boy to the farewell at the sea. They read like a picture book.
• Talk about the lesson line. Each picture has a short lesson underneath. Reading it aloud and asking "what do you think that means?" turns ten minutes of coloring into a conversation.
• Try the "improve your art" pages last. Three pages at the end ask your child to finish a half-drawn Bappa, copy a murti square by square and design their own Bappa.
• Hang the finished pages up. Every picture is printed on one side only, so a finished page can go up for the festival without losing the next one.

Frequently asked questions