Human Rights Day is observed annually on December 10 to honour the United Nations General Assembly’s proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the same day, in 1948. On this occasion, here are some books that you can get your kids to read to teach them about the basic human rights, from equality to education.
The Why Why Girl by Mahasweta Devi (Age: 6+)
This book is about a young girl named Moyna, who lives in a tribal village. She doesn’t go to school since she has to work, but she is full of questions. The narrator helps her find answers to all the why-whys in books that Moyna learns to read herself.
We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures by Amnesty International (Age: 6+)
This picture book celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (signed on December 1948) through beautiful illustrations, and is a perfect read for children. The book includes artwork by renowned artists, including Axel Scheffler, Peter Sis, Satoshi Kitamura, Alan Lee, Polly Dunbar, Jackie Morris, Debi Gliori, Chris Riddell, Catherine and Laurence Anholt, among others.
Year of the Weeds by Siddhartha Sarma (Age: 9+)
This book revolves around Korok from a small Gond village in Odisha, who fights against the forces of the state to protect his village and its people who had been asked to vacate the land for mining purposes by a company.