Using the News in the Classrom: Camel Brings Library Books to Remote Villages

Using the News in the classroom: 

A most unusual “ bookmobile” has come to villages in the country of Pakistan. Roshan, the camel (name means “ bright light” ), brings library books to kids in remote villages in Pakistan. With the pandemic closing schools, a program was established to have Roshan, a 12 year old camel (and his herder), bring books to the children to keep up on their reading skills. The "Camel Library" operates in a village for 2 hours. Kids exchange books with Roshan’s following visit. Every week, the camel travels the rough terrain, roads too narrow for vehicles to six villages. Started as a pilot program, Roshan and the books he carries has been extended. A principal and her sister came up with the idea. A book society (Alif Laila Book Bus Society) has donated the books. In just 6 weeks, more than 150 children have benefited from the program.

1. Pretend to be Roshan and write a day in your life of bringing books to village children. What do you see? do? hear? etc.

2. Look up the country of Pakistan and write 3 facts learned. Pakistan Facts 1 and Pakistan Facts 2.

3. Draw a picture of Roshan, the camel, and write 3 facts learned about camels.

FUN FACTS about CAMELS!

1.  Dromedary camels have beautiful long, two rows of lashes. They are important for keeping sand out of their eyes and their eyes clean.
2. The word “camel” comes from the Arabic language and means “beauty”.
3. Camels are known to spit when upset or excited. Not just saliva, their spit contains their stomach contents, too. Guess you can say it’s more like throwing up on people.
4. A camel has thick leathery gums, making it easy for a camel to eat thorny plants. 
5. Did you know a camel can run up to 40 mph?
6. Camels are called the “ship of the Desert” in their native lands of Asia and Africa. They can go about a week without water and about one month without food.
7. The average size of a dromedary (one hump) camel is between 7-11 ft. tall! 8. They can weigh a whopping 800-1300 pounds!
8. George Washington brought a camel to Mt. Vernon for the Christmas holiday, in 1787. He spent about 870 in today’s money for the camel visit.

Additional Resources on Camels: 

• Camel Facts 1
• Camel Facts 2
• Camel Facts 3
• Camel Facts 4

On December 29, 1787, George Washington had a very special surprise for guests at Mount Vernon. A Camel came for a visit! This reading passage shares information on customs and traditions of the holiday season during Colonial times and the visit of the camel. Additionally, there is a Did You Know? fun fact section, comprehension questions, a map skill activity and the teacher page with several links of interest.

Reading Passage on George Washington and the Camel: