Kamala and Maya's Big Idea

Kamala and Maya's Big Idea

Written by Meena Harris

Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

Grades PreK-3rd

Ages 4-8

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Summary:

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea is a story written by Meena Harris, based on a true story about Meena’s mother and aunt, Maya and Kamala. This book is about the girls' perseverance and the community coming together in order to help the girls accomplish their “big idea”, which is building a playground in the unused land in the apartment complex they are growing up in. At first, the girls go to the landlord and ask him if he can build them one but he quickly says no. Then, they write him a letter with other kids in the building asking him again but he still says no and asks them if their parents know they are there. Finally, he ends up agreeing that if the children speak to their parents and do all the work themselves that they are allowed to fix up the courtyard. The book then explores how people from the neighborhood come together by bringing different materials for the playground and work as a group in order to accomplish one common goal.

Element 4:

This book aligns directly with Element Four of the Six Elements of Social Justice Education because it emphasizes how community can come together to accomplish a shared goal. Maya and Kamala lived in an Urban neighborhood and didn’t have much access to green spaces to play. When they noticed a space in their courtyard they tried to gain access to it but the landlord said no claiming economic reasons. Instead of giving up they gathered members of their community and solved the issue themselves, proving that when people come together they can solve issues facing their community. 

Activity:

This would be a good book to use for a read aloud. While reading the book, teachers should pause at certain moments and ask their students questions like “why do you think the landlord said no to building the playground?” “If they don’t have any money for the playground what are some ideas on how they could raise some?” At the end of the book teachers should ask students if they have any big ideas. Then, they should further the conversation by asking who in their community would be able to help them with their big idea. For older grade levels this can be expanded on by having students write letters to their community members explaining their big ideas and what help they would need.

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