Finders Keepers?: A True Story

"Finders Keepers?" by Robert Arnett has been honored with the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award of the Publishers Marketing Association for Best Multicultural Book of the Year, the Independent Publisher Outstanding Book of the Year, and the Seal of Approval of the National Parenting Center. This book is better for school-age children, as it really provides a geography lesson, a study in ethics and a brief insight into Indian culture. The book tells the true story of an experience the author had while traveling through India. He had just bought some postcards when a young Indian boy tapped him on the elbow and held out Arnett's wallet, which the boy had picked up when the author accidentally dropped it. The man thanked him and offered him a reward, but the boy refused to take any money, insisting that he should not be rewarded just for doing the right thing. I'm in LOVE with the brightly colored illustrations by Indian-born Smita Turakhia, who said she was inspired by memories of the place where she spent her childhood. In fact, even the youngest kids enjoy looking at the pictures, so I skip some of the more technical stuff when I read it to them.

I got this book as a gift. As an Indian-American it helped me learn more about my culture. I took this book to school for "show and share". All my friends and teachers enjoyed the stories and the nice pictures. Especially the picture with differnt kids holding hands around the world. my teachers also liked that theme. Thank you.

This is a great storybook and I like the pictures. The bus picture is the best picture and it would be fun to ride on top of a bus. I think other children should read this book too.

This book is about a man who's on vacation to India. I learned many interesting things about India from it. For example, I learned that a toran is something that is hung over a doorway to welcome God and guests. Torans are made of fresh flowers and leaves. Torans can be seen all across the country.One thing I learned is that to say "hello" or "goodbye," it is called namaste. And how you do it is to get your hands together like you're praying and bow your head.I also learned that there are a lot of bats in India that like to hang in the daylight in trees.In the story, the man drops his wallet and a little boy finds it and gives it to him. And then the man tries to reward him with money. But the boy didn't want the money. So the man asks a man who knows English and the boy's language to ask the boy why he doesn't want the money. The man tells him that the boy doesn't understand why he should be rewarded for giving him his wallet.They have great pictures in this book.I think other people should read it too.(...)

Being Hindu and of Indian origin, I found this book especially appealing because it brings out the beauty of India and its primary philosophy of "Dharma", which is about doing the right thing. If my children learn nothing else, I want them to learn their virtues. So, if you're looking for a simple yet powerful way to express to your young children the high value of loving and respecting one another and doing the right thing, then this is the book for you!