SLEEP RHYMES AROUND THE WORLD

An enchanting, multicultural medley of lullabies is complemented by full-color illustrations by artists native to the countries represented--including Korea, Italy, Nigeria, Venezuela, the United States, Iran, Finland, Ukraine, and others.

PreSchool-Grade 2-A collection of rhymes from 17 countries around the globe, most of which are not widely known. All are printed in English as well as in their original languages; all of the selections, even those that do not use the Roman alphabet, have been transcribed into verselike form. The overall effect is not soporific, counteracted at least in part by the lively illustrations, each done by an artist native to the country represented. The colors are neither muted nor necessarily restful; in fact, few of the scenes take place in full night. The techniques vary widely from painterly to cartoon fantasy to an approximation of woodcut; some seem sketchy and unfinished, others are more detailed and defined. This book won't calm either a parent or a child, but it should encourage conversation and commentary.
Ruth K. MacDonald, Quinnipiac College, Hamden, CT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From 17 peoples on five continents, 21 lullabies, with colorful illustrations by artists from each country of origin, in contrasting styles: Italian folk designs; an Afghan painting recalling manuscript miniatures; a serene Abenaki landscape in oils; a Nigerian family group in watercolors, boldly limned in black. It's good to have the verses in their original languages as well as English, but too bad that non-Roman alphabets aren't shown in addition to transliterations (while some languages-- e.g., Welsh--defy pronunciation without a guide). As poetry, some selections seem saccharine (the melodies are regrettably missing), but in the light of current events, the Slovenian ``God will rock you lovingly./And with angels in His gardens/you will play so blissfully'' has a bittersweet dual meaning. Of particular interest here, in addition to the art, are themes in common (the security of home and family) and distinctive details (Iran's ``The leopard is roaring on the mountain''; Korea's ``Baby, loyal to your country, loyal to your parents''; Venezuela's ``your mother...went to look for guavas''), all of which could provide a good basis for discussion. (Poetry/Picture book. 2-8) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 4-8. This companion volume to Street Rhymes around the World (1992) offers 21 lullabies from various parts of the globe, including Uganda, Slovenia, and Iran. The universality of putting children to sleep knows no boundaries as evidenced by the soothing words and images shared by each culture. Each poem or song is presented in its native language with an English translation, and the illustrations are by artists native to the countries. The quality varies, with a couple that are too precious; however, most of the art depicting babes in beds, on mats, in mothers' arms, and in all kinds of cradles captures the gentle tenor of the subject and the flavor of the culture. Denia Hester