Children's Traditional Games: Games from 137 Countries and Cultures [Paperback]

Judy Sierra (Author), Robert Kaminski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 1995

This is one of those rare reference books that teachers and students alike find entertaining and useful. Judy Sierra and Robert Kaminski, renowned storytellers and folklorists, describe popular games from 137 countries and cultures, including over 20 games from Native American groups. Each game is easily learned and can be played by small groups in the classroom or on the playground. Clear instructions are given for all games, and simple diagrams are included where applicable.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In this accessible manual, Sierra and Kaminski carefully describe the rules of a variety of games from a vast number of cultures and countries, most of which can be played informally with minimal equipment.”–Book Link

“This collection, the only one of its kind, contains over 200 such games from 137 countries, providing a useful and enjoyable resource for teachers, librarians, recreation directors, and children....Both instructions and diagrams are clear and easy to follow. Indexes provide additional access by type of game (ball games, word games, etc.) and playing environment. Both the introduction and the section on classroom use suggest that teachers are the primary intended audience. Certainly adults looking for multicultural ideas will find a wealth of them here. Anyone planning children's activities will also find ideas that adapt to their programs, while children will find some interesting cultural information for country reports. This unique compilation will be a welcome addition to most collections.”–School Library Journal

“This book by Judy Sierra & Robert Kaminski is a great collection of games from 137 cultures and countries appropriate for ages 6-16....Enliven your classroom with creative games.”–Skipping Stones

About the Author

JUDY SIERRA, Ph.D., a former children's librarian, is a leader of workshops in storytelling, folklore, and children's literature.

ROBERT KAMINSKI is an active storyteller and puppeteer, and coauthored a book on storytelling with Judy Sierra.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Oryx Press (November 3, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897749677
• ISBN-13: 978-0897749671
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #344,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in a very creative, book-loving family. My father was a photographer, and my mother was a librarian. They read to me constantly, especially poetry. When I was seven, they built me a puppet theater and I gave my first performance, "The Three Wishes." In college I studied literature, and afterwards I became a children's librarian. A few years later, I set out on my own as a puppeteer, quickly joining forces with another puppet artist, who became my husband. We studied traditional puppetry in Indonesia, and traveled all over the U.S. as teachers and artists-in-residence. About twenty years ago, I combined what I had learned as an avid reader and writer, as a librarian and children's entertainer, and began writing books for children. All of my books are meant to be read aloud and dramatized. To learn more about how each of my books came to be, please visit my web site: http://www.judysierra.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Active Games, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Children's Traditional Games: Games from 137 Countries and Cultures (Paperback)

This is a treasure trove for anyone who leads children's groups: scout leaders, camp counselors, Sunday school teacher, etc. The games are timeless, and many require no equipment. Children love the games, and enjoy the connection they feel with the children of another time and place.