Resources

Travel the Globe; Multicultural Story Times by Desiree Webber, Dee Ann Corn, Elaine Harrod, Donna Norvell Sandy Shropshire. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1998.

ISBN 1- 56308-501-1 PB $25.00 245 pp.

I would have loved to have had this book when I was as a librarian, and I wish I had had it a few years ago for my daughter's grade 2 class when they did a unit on going around the world. The authors have put together story times based on various countries around the world -14 in all. Trle material is intended for use with preschool to grade three children.

Each chapter focuses on a different country. A story time outline is given for pre-schoolers, and another for the grade 1-3 children. Included are books to read, oral story suggestions, flannel board or other visual/ participatory story, audio and video suggestions, and craft ideas. Texts for some stories are included as are some fingerplays, songs, and action rhymes. There are bibliographies of other books to read aloud, sources for oral stories, sources for fingerplays (etc.), craft ideas and media sources. All are annotated. Patterns are included for a flannel board story / visual presentation, and for crafts for each country.

One of the nicest touches is the use of two simple little rhymes in each chapter - one to greet the children, and one to dismiss them. The rhymes are the same each time except that the words thank you and hello are translated into the language of the country being visited.

A lot of work went into the preparation of this material, and it shows. There is nothing perfunctory about the book. It is replete with ideas and resources and will be a boon to teachers, librarians, and tellers who are looking for multicultural material to use with young children.

The Second Story Review, Vol 3, No. 3, Sep 1998