Following is a list of multicultural resources that may be of interest to teachers and students.
East Africa.
Mcheshi Goes to the Market. Winner of the Award of Excellence from the Multicultural Publishers Exchange, this 25-page paperback, appropriate for elementary students, tells the story of a young African girl as she travels with her mother to the village market. Written in both English and Kiswahili, the official languages of East Africa, it includes text printed on a batik design alongside full-color illustrations painted by a variety of African artists. Cost: $6.95. Contact: Carrie Jenkins Williams, Jacaranda Designs, P.O. Box 7936, Boulder, CO 80306; (303) 440-5235.
West Africa.
A Good Soup Attracts Chairs. This 160-page hardback cookbook by Fran Osseo-Asare offers more than 35 easy-to-follow recipes designed to introduce American students to West African domestic culture through food and cooking techniques. In addition to color photographs and a glossary of West African ingredients, the book includes suggestions for throwing an African-theme party. Cost: $18.95. Contact: Pelican Publishing Co., 1101 Monroe St., P.O. Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054; (800) 843-1724.
Mexico.
Pablo Remembers. Photojournalist George Ancona follows young Pablo and his family through the preparations and festivities of el Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, in a small Mexican village. This 48-page nonfiction hardback, appropriate for elementary students, uses color photographs and the experiences of Pablo to capture the three-day celebration in Mexico. The book is also available in a Spanish edition. Cost: $15. Contact: William Morrow & Co., Wilmor/Order Department, 39 Plymouth St., P.O. Box 1219, Fairfield, NJ 07007; (800) 843-9389.
Haiti.
Popo and Fifina. Harlem Renaissance poets Arna Bontemps and Langston Hughes collaborated to write this 111-page narrative that depicts the daily work and activities of a poor family living on the tropical island of Haiti during the 1930s. An afterward by Arnold Rampersand, director of the American Studies program at Princeton, explains both the conditions of Haiti during this period and the political background of the authors. Cost: $14.95, plus shipping and handling. Contact: Oxford University Press, 2001 Evans Road, Cary, NC 27513; (800) 451-7556.
World Cultures Magazine.
Faces. Written in conjunction with the anthropology department of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, this 40-page magazine, published monthly September through May, features articles on the economic, cultural, religious, and political aspects of countries around the globe. The magazine, appropriate for elementary and middle school students, includes color photographs and hands-on activities and works within the education goals set by the Joint Committee on Geography Education. Cost: $21.95 for a one-year subscription; $12.95 each for bulk classroom subscriptions of five orders or more. Contact: Cobblestone Publishing, 7 School St., Peterborough, NH 03458-1454; (800) 821-0115.
Global Humor.
Laughing Together: Giggles and Grins from Around the Globe. Filled with jokes, tongue twisters, puzzles, and cartoons from nearly 100 countries worldwide, this 128page paperback is designed to promote multicultural understand- ing through laughter. Written in cooperation with the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, the book opens with a special note for teachers and a section of ideas for roleplaying and other projects. Cost: $12.95. Contact: Free Spirit Publishing, 400 First Ave. N., Suite 616, Minneapolis, MN 55401; (800) 735-7323.
Immigrant Culture.
Over Here It’s Different: Carolina’s Story. This 48-page hardback by Mildred Dawson explores the immigrant experience through the true story of 11-year-old Carolina Liranzo, who has emigrated from the Dominican Republic. In her new home in Queens, N.Y., Carolina struggles to adapt to a new culture. Everything is different: climate, food, safety, schooling, and gender relations. Cost: $14.95. Contact: Macmillan Distribution Center, Attention: Order Department, 100 Front St., Box 500, Riverside, NJ 08075-7500; (800) 257-5755.
Multicultural Reference.
Our Family, Our Friends, Our World. Reed Reference Publishing offers this 710-page hardback that lists more than 1,000 fictional and nonfictional books with multicultural themes or storylines. Evaluated for their accurate portrayal of cultures, dialects, and characters by a panel of librarians, media specialists, and educators, the books are grouped according to grade level and are annotated with brief plot descriptions. Cost: $46. Contact: Reed, 121 Chanlon Road, New Providence, NJ 07974-1154; (800) 521-8110.
Third World Culture.
See Me, Share My World. This curriculum unit is designed to teach elementary students about the Third World through children’s art. In addition to a 32-page teacher’s guide and activity sheets, the unit includes laminated artwork and photographs of children from developing countries. It is available in combination with Kids for Kids Global Awareness Project, a social studies program for grades 3-6, for a special price of $35, plus $6 shipping and handling. Contact: Discovery Enterprises, 134 Middle St., Suite 210, Lowell, MA 01852; (800) 729-1720.
Korea.
Discover Korea: School and Community. This 25-minute video examines Korean culture and society, concentrating on the ways that school and community figure into the daily lives of Korean youth. The program comes with a large classroom poster and a teacher’s guide. Cost: $27.95. Contact: Knowledge Unlimited, P.O. Box 52, Madison, WI 53701-0052; (800) 356-2303.
