Sleep Rhymes Around the World [Hardcover]

Jane Yolen (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1994 | Age Level: 3 and up

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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 Booklist

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

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 39 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Pr; 1st edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563972433
• ISBN-13: 978-1563972430
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,687,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A unique look at cultures of the world, July 7, 2005

By 

K. Wilson (Upstate NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleep Rhymes Around the World (Hardcover)

Sleep Rhymes Around the World is a collection of lullaby rhymes from seventeen nations and republics around the world, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iran. The verses are displayed in their native language as well as in English. The author notes in the introduction that she has created phonetic translations of the words in languages that are not written in Roman alphabet letters to enable readers to "hear" how the words should sound.

This book would be appropriate for children ages 6 and 7. Children in this age group crave security and will enjoy the family rituals in this book. They will also like seeing this custom across cultures. I would recommend that these poems be read aloud to children before naptime. The illustrations for each poem were drawn by artists from the country in which the poem originated. The drawings accurately reflect the cultures they represent. The artwork is unique in that the techniques vary throughout the book from poem to poem.