Customer Reviews

Stencils Ukraine: Ancient & Living Cultures Series: Grades 3+: Teacher Resource

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't be fooled by the title--this activity book (Stencils Ukraine) encompasses so very much more than just stenciling!

For the price of an activity book, you'll not only get projects and stencils, but you'll also get Ukrainian cultural exposure, an introductory history lesson, a pronunciation key for Ukrainian words used throughout the book, a map with locations spelled in transliterated Ukrainian, and illustrations and photos depicting Ukrainian scenes.

Whether you're stretched out in front of a crackling fire or under the umbrella shade of a sprawling tree, once you turn the pages of Stencils Ukraine, you'll free fall (like Alice in Wonderland through her rabbit hole) and arrive at a land of legendary figures and folk heroes.

Working on five projects (making a bulava, mosaic, dance vest, pysanky bowl and rushnyk) with large, colorful stencils (based on typical pysanka designs--pysanky, fish, butterfly, call of spring design, spider, sun, moon and stars--and each very aptly described) will not only provide a fun, educational activity, but will also very much enhance your knowledge of Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Portions of the book are intended for classroom use--this, indeed, is an educational book in every sense of the word--from correct Ukrainian spelling to correct information on Ukraine! While in the pursuit of fun via crafts and projects, the child/adult is educated in history, a touch of geography (map), folklore, and much more.

At the end of the book is a compilation of outstanding resources that touch myriad topics and genres: books for young people, books for adults, videos, museums, and Internet resources.

Stencils Ukraine shouldn't be limited to only kids ages 8 and up--it's a wonderful introduction for adults, as well--whether they wish to learn about their Ukrainian neighbors or friends, or sample a flavor of Ukrainian culture before embarking on a trip to Ukraine.

Don't wait for an occasion to buy this book--treat yourself or a loved one today! A humdrum day will metamorphosize into an extraordinary excursion as you're exposed to ancient and living traditions of Ukraine and embark on a magical journey which takes you to an enchanted land of legends and folktales.

Stencils Ukraine definitely deserves five stars!

Kids and those young at heart may enjoy viewing 69 photos, which I took while traveling throughout Ukraine in 1993 and 1994--to see them, please visit my review of How the Animals Built Their House and Other Stories. Additionally, the website of Encyclopedia of Ukraine has lots of info about Ukrainian and Ukrainians.

Addendum: Readers, you're invited to visit each of my reviews--most of them have photos that I took in Ukraine (over 600)--you'll learn lots about Ukraine and Ukrainians. The image gallery shows smaller photos, which are out of sequence. The preferable way is to see each review through my profile page since photos that are germane to that particular book/VHS/DVD are posted there with notes and are in sequential order.

To visit my reviews: click on my pseudonym, Mandrivnyk, to get to my profile page; click on the tab called review; scroll to the bottom of the section, and click on see all reviews; click on each title, and on the left-hand side, click on see all images. The thumbnail images at the top of the page show whether photos have notes; roll your mouse over the image to find notes posted.

Also, you're invited to visit my Listmania lists, which have materials sorted by subject matter.