Children's Traditional Games: Games from 137 Countries and Cultures

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Description

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.

Reviews

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 *

Author Bio

Judy Sierra, PhD, a former children's librarian, is a leader of workshops in storytelling, folklore, and children's literature. She has received wide recognition as both a storyteller and a teacher of storytelling. She is author or coauthor of several books on storytelling, including Cinderella and Multicultural Folktales: Stories to Tell Young Children, both published by Oryx Press. Robert Kaminski is an active storyteller and puppeteer, and coauthored a book on storytelling with Judy Sierra. He is an elementary educator and UCLA Education Extension instructor of creative dramatics. Mr. Kaminski received his MA in theater.