PreS-Gr 3-This cassette read-along of the Caldecott Honor picture book by John Steptoe (Lothrop, 1987) is an extremely effective presentation of a traditional Zimbabwe folk tale about a man with two daughters the deceitful, selfish Manyara and her sister Nyasha, who is good and generous. When the King sends for a bride, he chooses Nyasha after appearing to her disguised as a snake and a young boy. Narrator Robin Miles' intonation and pacing have an African cadence. Her voice is pleasant, and she varies her tones to create the different characters. Sound effects of jungle animals, rushing water, and background voices add to the presentation. The sound of a page being turned is used to cue listeners to follow the text in the book. This should be included in all library audio collections for young children.-Diane Balodis, Alden Intermediate School, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
We live in a world in which cultural diversity is increasingly a fact of life—and it’s a beautiful thing! Unfortunately, it can be hard to find children’s books that celebrate the folklore, stories, and legends of diverse cultures. Culturally diverse books can teach children both the importance of accepting others, and the beauty of differences—and the […]