Traditional African American Arts and Activities [Paperback]

Sonya Kimble - Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Celebrating our Heritage

African Americans throughout our country's history have developed a rich heritage of arts and activities. Now you can discover and enjoy many of these traditions, from celebrating Juneteenth to making African masks to creating unique quilts, right in your own home. TRADITIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS AND ACTIVITIES shows you how to do traditional tie-dyeing, how to make and play your own talking drum, and how to join with friends to create your own folktale. You'll learn all about the history and development of jazz, blues, and rap music, and you'll find out how to play fun games like mancala, muraburaba, chigoro danda, and more.

With fun projects and easy-to-follow directions, this captivating learn-and-do guide explores the treasured stories and customs of the earliest African Americans and of their descendants today.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-7-This title explores the rich and diverse cultural history of African Americans. Through activities, quotes, brief historical notes, and a glossary, a wide variety of information is presented. Projects are grouped under chapters that discuss "Celebrations," "Traditions," "Crafts," "Games," "Culture," and "Soul Food and Caribbean Cuisine." Each activity begins with an explanation of its historical and cultural significance to Africans and/or African Americans. Clear instructions are presented in a "Here's What You Need," "Here's What You Do" format. The simple line drawings of figures with exaggerated and elongated features are not particularly attractive but help illustrate and clarify the projects.
Genevieve Gallagher, New York Public Library
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

Gr 3-7: This title explores the rich and diverse cultural history of African Americans. Through activities, quotes, brief historical notes, and a glossary, a wide variety of information is presented. Projects are grouped under chapters that discuss "Celebrations," "Traditions," "Crafts," "Games," "Culture," and "Soul Food and Caribbean Cuisine." Each activity begins with an explanation of its historical and cultural significance to Africans and/or African Americans. Clear instructions are presented in a "Here's What You Do" format. The simple line drawings of figures with exaggerated and elongated features are not particularly attractive but help illustrate and clarify the projects. --Genevieve Gallagher, New York Public Library. (School Library Journal, August 2002)

" this captivating learn-and-do guide explores the treasured stories and customs of the earliest African-Americans and of their descendants today "(Right On!, December 2002)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Jossey - Bass; 1 edition (December 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471410462
• ISBN-13: 978-0471410461
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun *and* useful!, September 3, 2004

By 

Abracapocus "librarian, storyteller, cinephile" (southern Oregon coast, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traditional African American Arts and Activities (Paperback)

As I write this, the only other review attached to this book (Sonya Kimble-Ellis' Traditional African American Arts and Activities) is clearly *not* assigned correctly: it talks about science experiments, not African American arts and activities. The book linked to buy along with this one also has to do with science activities; it looks like somebody assigned this book the wrong category in Amazon's web database!

Regardless: this is a great book, part of Wiley's "Celebrating Our Heritage" series (see also Wiley's excellent books from Arlette Braman, for "Celebrating Our Heritage" and "Kids Around the World"). Like the other books from Wiley, the text is directed at kids but is especially good for kids and adults to explore together. It gives solid information accompanied by do-able activities with clear instructions. The Martin Luther King Day section is not exactly "traditional" in the folkloric sense, but this is a very valuable book. Kudos Kimble-Ellis and to Wiley for such a strong package!