Heartstone Story Circles and See Myself in Books 

Every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read.   This is the foundation of Read Manchester’s See Myself in Books campaign which aims to introduce children to a range of diverse authors and characters who reflect their own cultures, identities and experiences. 

Read Manchester caught up recently with Sitakumari, Director and Principal Dancer/Storyteller with Heartstone to find out more about Heartstone Story Circles and the synergies with See Myself in Books.  Here’s what Sita told us: 

What are Heartstone Story Circles? 

‘Heartstone Story Circles is an innovative route to build interest in reading with children and young people age 9+.  Fifteen Story Circles have been established in schools in Greater Manchester and they are exploring three Heartstone themes: 

•  ’The Heartstone Odyssey’ book by Arvan Kumar

• Images from the ‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ exhibition currently at The Holden Gallery in Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University 

• Heartstone’s Cùra Gordian environmental stories  www.curaguardian.com (there is no cost to use the site).’  

Can you tell us more about The Heartstone Odyssey? 

‘‘The Heartstone Odyssey’ is a powerful book in its own right, a nail-biting fantasy story about a magical gem, the Heartstone, and a host of animal and human characters, loved by children and adults, all ages 9 upwards.  It deals with the difficult and uncomfortable issue of prejudice through a good story but what is even more unusual about the book is its South Asian heroine, Chandra, an Indian dancer.  There are very few books even now with a strong South Asian heroine who does not give up in the face of enormous obstacles.  If, as a girl, I had been able to read a book about a character like Chandra, it would have meant the world to me.  Knowing her through the words on the page would have made her the support, the friend and the bridge between hopes all too undermined by experiences of racism and prejudice and the impossible dreams I tried to keep alive. She would have also walked beside me when I began to perform, when my shows were sometimes affected by hostility and hatred, when I needed someone who could understand and who could remind me that sometimes there are happy endings, even if there is a hard journey first.  

I have now performed on some of the world’s greatest stages, something as a child I could not have foreseen, and the most important stories I tell on stage are drawn from the book.  

There was no ‘Heartstone Odyssey’ when I was a girl or when I started out in adult life. I wish there had been.  Now I have the thrill of knowing there are thousands of children, and adults, out there reading about Chandra, and seeing themselves in her, exactly as I have done and drawing their own inspiration from her.  This is why ’Seeing Myself in Books’ is so important and why I would ask all of you to get your own copy of the book!‘

What other things are coming up for you? 

‘We are getting ready to participate in the ‘Festival of Libraries’ on June 12th at Manchester Central Library and the book will be central. Joining with us will be our partners and friends in libraries at Rosa Parks Museum in Alabama, Kenya, Kosova and Australia, all locations which now form the ‘Global Story Circle’, all centred on the book. 

Books can change lives. All of us in Heartstone are honoured and proud to be associated with ’See Myself in Books’ and its essential core messages, needed now more than ever!’ 

About Heartstone 

Heartstone is a non-profit organisation which uses fiction, photo documentary and historical stories to build contact, communication and understanding across different cultures, faiths and backgrounds.  Find out more at www.heartstone.co.uk