Comments on: Geography & International Literature, Part I http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/08/24/geography-international-literature-part-i/ International Collection of Children's and Adolescent Literature Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: WOW Currents » Culturally Authentic Fairy Tales http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/08/24/geography-international-literature-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-8064 WOW Currents » Culturally Authentic Fairy Tales Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:33:52 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=159#comment-8064 [...] I use the above criteria to evaluate all fairy tales that I review, especially if the story is set in another culture. If a book is set in a culture I am not familiar with, I also try to find out more about the setting and the cultural practices by investigating other books on the culture and web sites. For example, a recent fairy tale set in China had several Buddhist names. I checked them for authenticity on a Web site cataloging Zen Buddhist Names. Additionally, Holly Johnson provides other excellent guidelines to support our evaluations in her WOW Currents entry, Geography & International Literature, Part I. [...] [...] I use the above criteria to evaluate all fairy tales that I review, especially if the story is set in another culture. If a book is set in a culture I am not familiar with, I also try to find out more about the setting and the cultural practices by investigating other books on the culture and web sites. For example, a recent fairy tale set in China had several Buddhist names. I checked them for authenticity on a Web site cataloging Zen Buddhist Names. Additionally, Holly Johnson provides other excellent guidelines to support our evaluations in her WOW Currents entry, Geography & International Literature, Part I. [...]

]]> By: Ragina Shearer http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/08/24/geography-international-literature-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-8063 Ragina Shearer Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:02:31 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=159#comment-8063 I have really enjoyed learning about the Pakistani culture and sharing this with my students through the use of Three Cups of Tea and Listen to the Wind. Greg Mortenson has written these books in such an intriguing and educational manner that US students truly become engaged as they learn about this culture. Even though the war has brought this area into focus, I believe US children, and adults alike, truly do not see and understand this cultural group with every day similarities, needs, hopes, and dreams of their own. My students felt a new compassion for and connection with these children as we read and discussed these two books. Thanks Judi for sharing the link to the audio from Amazon. I had not seen it before and it was very enlightening. You all also might like to know that Greg's daughter Amira Mortenson & Jeni Fleming have an audio CD, called Three Cups of Tea. On it they sing a beautiful tribute, it is also available on Amazon. I have really enjoyed learning about the Pakistani culture and sharing this with my students through the use of Three Cups of Tea and Listen to the Wind. Greg Mortenson has written these books in such an intriguing and educational manner that US students truly become engaged as they learn about this culture. Even though the war has brought this area into focus, I believe US children, and adults alike, truly do not see and understand this cultural group with every day similarities, needs, hopes, and dreams of their own. My students felt a new compassion for and connection with these children as we read and discussed these two books.

Thanks Judi for sharing the link to the audio from Amazon. I had not seen it before and it was very enlightening.

You all also might like to know that Greg’s daughter Amira Mortenson & Jeni Fleming have an audio CD, called Three Cups of Tea. On it they sing a beautiful tribute, it is also available on Amazon.

]]> By: Judi Moreillon http://wowlit.org/blog/2009/08/24/geography-international-literature-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-8062 Judi Moreillon Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:55:53 +0000 http://wowlit.org/blog/?p=159#comment-8062 I'm glad you mentioned Three Cups of Tea. Greg Mortensen's work is powerful, and the way he has involved U. S. children in supportng this work is empowering - a model for all: http://www.penniesforpeace.org/ Still, when the children's picture book (Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and the Three Cups of Tea) was released, I wondered about the illustrator's choice of media. Does it accurately and authentically capture the people and place of Pakistan? I think the collage technique is problematic in portraying cultural specificity. Thankfully, there are photographs in the back matter that clearly show young readers Pakistani culture. If you haven't seen or shared it, there's a brief video on Amazon that's worth sharing with young readers: http://www.amazon.com/Listen-Wind-Greg-Mortenson/dp/0803730586 I’m glad you mentioned Three Cups of Tea. Greg Mortensen’s work is powerful, and the way he has involved U. S. children in supportng this work is empowering – a model for all: http://www.penniesforpeace.org/

Still, when the children’s picture book (Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and the Three Cups of Tea) was released, I wondered about the illustrator’s choice of media. Does it accurately and authentically capture the people and place of Pakistan?

I think the collage technique is problematic in portraying cultural specificity. Thankfully, there are photographs in the back matter that clearly show young readers Pakistani culture.

If you haven’t seen or shared it, there’s a brief video on Amazon that’s worth sharing with young readers:

http://www.amazon.com/Listen-Wind-Greg-Mortenson/dp/0803730586

]]>