Ossiri and the Bala Mengro (Travellers Tales)

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Ossiri is an ambitious child, who, inspired by the talented travelling musicians that perform at family celebrations, dreams of learning to play an instrument herself. Here, we see the rise and fall of Ossiri’s dream- her resourcefulness shining in the face of adversity and the continuous desire to perform, regardless of those who tell her to stop. There is something quite special about Ossiri’s passion, which becomes increasingly magical and heartfelt as her audience evolves into someone quite unexpected. It is very warming to see how starkly the creators distinguish acts done with the heart and soul, and those motivated by greed, mixed in with an endearing touch of humour. Director of Development at Leeds GATE, Rachel Cooper, made clear the importance of cultural opportunities like this for young people. Everyone has a story to tell, but far too often Gypsy and Traveller stories are either overlooked or twisted into a narrative that continues to ignite racism and prejudices” says Sarah Shead. Tattin Folki of the Romani and Traveling people were some of the first to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Our readers have much to learn from not only Ossiri’s innovative instrument-making, but also from her playing “from the heart, not for gain.” These activity sheets encourage readers to create their own instruments, learn to sew a button, construct a cardboard loom, and to explore Romani words. Use this lesson plan developed by Amnesty International to organise a class debate between ‘a group of travellers’, the local council and other interested groups. Be sure to encourage all pupils to reflect on the perspective of the Travellers trying to organise a safe place to live.

Capturing the hearts and minds of children and their families, this magical and mesmerising story uses folk dance and music to offer an insight into Traveller culture and lifestyles, encouraging acceptance and celebration of others.

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The young people involved are members of the community advocacy organisation Leeds Gypsy and Traveller exchange (Leeds GATE) that works across West Yorkshire.

June is Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) history month. This presents a perfect opportunity for pupils to learn about a culture they often know little about and for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils to be given a chance to showcase and celebrate their culture.This tale of ‘Tattin Folki’ – or rag and bone people – vividly conjures a ‘Traveller’ way of life inside Britain that few ‘settled people’ know, and it comes from a collaboration between a Romani storyteller and a picture-book writer to capture oral stories before they are lost.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/17) is in its fourth year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators. A Traveler girl creates her own musical instrument from a willow branch and lots of recycled objects. She plays it enthusiastically, but it sounds terrible! Ignoring warnings not to awaken the ogre in the hills, Ossiri goes there to practice playing her instrument. Will she wake the ogre, and will it appreciate her playing? Told by a Romani storyteller and a picture book author, this original tale offers a fascinating insight into Traveling lifestyles and cultures. Ossiri is an ambitious child, who, inspired by the talented travelling musicians that perform at family celebrations, dreams of learning to play an instrument herself. Here, we see the rise and fall of Ossiri’s dream- her resourcefulness shining in the face of adversity and the continuous desire to perform, regardless of those who tell her to stop. There is something quite special about Ossiri’s passion, which becomes increasingly magical and heartfelt as her audience evolves into someone quite unexpected. It is very warming to see how starkly the trio distinguish acts done with the heart and soul, and those motivated by greed, mixed in with an endearing touch of humour.If you work with older children you might want to plan a full lesson for GRT history month (though I think Ossiri and Bala Mengro looks so incredible I’d read it to all ages!).