Illustrator Smita Turakhia and author Robert Arnett were invited to the Multicultural Children's Book Festival held on November 5, 2005 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. to bring alive aspects of Indian culture that is showcased in their multi-award-winning children's book Finders Keepers? 

The daylong festival, with estimated attendance of about 8,000 people this year, explores cultures from all around the world with interactive workshops by illustrators and readings by authors. Children and parents have an opportunity to meet, hear, and talk to authors and illustrators who are valuable role models for these children.

Turakhia brought Finders Keepers? to life as she presented a 45 minute art workshop where she taught children how to make a toran. "A toran is used to welcome God and guests to your home," said Turakhia as she talked about the significance of hanging a toran on doorways to homes in India.

She also demonstrated how to wear a sari and explained why people women wear a bindi on their foreheads. "Even men and girls wear it and is not worn only by married women. A bindi is used to mark the spot of our spiritual eye and reminds us to keep our attention on God in all our activities during the day,” explained Turakhia. Then she tied a ten-yard-long Rajasthani turban on an American father as children watched in amazement that such a long piece of fabric was converted to a headgear for men. 

The Kennedy Center gave away each participant in the toran workshop the poster: We Share A World. The picture on the poster is an illustration from Finders Keepers? and truly captured the spirit of the festival. Finders Keepers? can be read in its entirety at www.atmanpress.com