Educational video

 Picture book as informative tool

The picture book “The Lake That Came to Athang” serves as an informative tool for primary-level children in several meaningful ways.

Firstly, it introduces children to a local Bhutanese folktale rooted in cultural beliefs, helping to preserve and pass down oral storytelling traditions and spiritual concepts such as the Tshomen, or water spirit. This encourages appreciation for Bhutanese heritage and rural lifestyles, including elements like highland herders, yaks, rice fields, and village gatherings.

Secondly, the story develops moral understanding by conveying important values such as kindness, the importance of keeping promises, and respecting the sacred or magical. Through these lessons, children are encouraged to reflect on actions and consequences in a culturally meaningful way.

Thirdly, the book helps build language and listening skills. As children engage with the story through reading or listening, they are exposed to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and narrative techniques. When shared as a read-aloud video or in class, it also enhances listening comprehension and attention span.

In addition, the story enhances imagination and critical thinking by inviting children to explore magical elements like spirit girls and golden egg-laying horses. It prompts reflective questions such as, “What would you do if you were the old lady?” or “Should the villagers have trusted her?”

The book also supports environmental awareness by promoting respect for natural places like lakes and mountains, and by conveying the idea that nature is sacred and should be treated with care.

Lastly, the story sparks curiosity and encourages further research. Children may ask questions like “Where is Athang?” or “Are there other Bhutanese lakes with stories?”, which can lead to learning about Bhutanese geography, history, and spiritual beliefs.

In these ways, “The Lake That Came to Athang” serves not just as a storybook, but as a powerful educational and cultural tool for young learners.