A Caribbean Counting Book [Hardcover]

Faustin Charles (Author), Roberto Arenson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A collection of Caribbean counting rhymes, traditionally chanted in children's games and songs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The sights and sounds of the Caribbean burst into life in this vibrant collection of traditional counting rhymes. Gathered from children as well as the elderly, these chants can still be heard in schoolyards all over the islands, from Jamaica to Martinique to the Dutch West Indies. Each selection, attributed to its place of origin, pulses with the rhythms of a sunny clime. Pawpaws and breadfruit, guava and calaloo-stew give the verses an exotic feel, while girls jumping rope and boys "peltin' stones in a tree" set them within a familiar context. Each rhyme works as a counting song, often in a "Ten Little Indians" format descending from 10 to one. Their exuberance and humor make counting fun ("Well, four of me dumplins gone./ Don't tell me so!/ Four of me dumplins gone./ I don't want to know!"), provided that children are not put off by the dialect ("An' dat's de end of dis furry story"). Bold collages in intense colors capture the playfulness of the text while celebrating Caribbean flora and fauna. Arenson's simple shapes will encourage readers to count objects (fruit, centipedes, fish). A jovial companion book to Frane Lessac's A Caribbean Alphabet. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Charles traveled throughout the Caribbean to compile these traditional and contemporary counting rhymes, jump-rope chants, and games. In Barbados, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, the Virgin Islands, Martinique, Trinidad, and Tobago, he recorded the playful rhythms, from adults and children, at home and in school yards, capturing the lilting dialects he heard all around him. Arenson's vivid watercolor amd collage illustrations beautifully enhance the lively presentation. A welcome multicultural addition.?Barbara Osborne Williams, Queens Public Library, Jamaica, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395779448
• ISBN-13: 978-0395779446
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,837 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Me Chile Like De Funny Boook, April 7, 2008

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MissLissaMA (Haverhill, MA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Caribbean Counting Book (Hardcover)

My boys loved the funny poems. I enjoyed reading it in de fun Caribbean accent that they were written. I recall one about centipedes eew & rats eew & my boys especially loved..." Four boys pelting stones in a tree, A stone knocked out one, An den there were three." We borrowed it from our town library, so I'm goin to buy it, Mun! So if you don't mind the creepies & a lil mild aggression I'd recommend it. My boys had me read it over & over.