The Laughing Baby : Songs & Rhymes from Around the World

Rating:
Summary: Multicultural baby development rhymes and games
Review: This book is subtitled "Remembering Nursery Rhymes and Reasons". The reasons portion of this book - discussing child development and the role of rhymes and games in that development is good - not better or worse than a dozen similar books.

But when one moves to Part II: Rhymes for Verse and Play, the book distinguishes itself - one of the best available. While it is multicultural by design it is also multicultural because it chooses the best of the best.

For example, rocking songs include: Sweet Water Rolling from South Carolina, A white hen from France, Hopi Lullaby, Pima Wind Song, The Ballad of Downal Baun from Ireland, Hati Jhulare from India, Samoan Rock-a-bye, Rock-a-bye Baby Thy Cradle is Green from Ingland, The Sleepy Song which is unattributed, Huch 'n Bye another from South Carolina, Schlaf Kindlein Schlaf from Germany, Sweet and Low by Alfred Tennyson ... My only complaint is that music is not given for all of them. But in the best folk tradition, the parent can improvise - the baby has few expectations regarding ethnic music.

The are equivalent chapters for peek-a-boo, facial feature games, clapping, bouncing, lifting, tickling and finger play.

My only complaint - the bibliography is designed for child development not folklore.

If you can possibly find a copy of this for new parents, nap it.

Rating:
Summary: Multicultural baby development rhymes and games
Review: This book is subtitled "Remembering Nursery Rhymes and Reasons". The reasons portion of this book - discussing child development and the role of rhymes and games in that development is good - not better or worse than a dozen similar books.

But when one moves to Part II: Rhymes for Verse and Play, the book distinguishes itself - one of the best available. While it is multicultural by design it is also multicultural because it chooses the best of the best.

For example, rocking songs include: Sweet Water Rolling from South Carolina, A white hen from France, Hopi Lullaby, Pima Wind Song, The Ballad of Downal Baun from Ireland, Hati Jhulare from India, Samoan Rock-a-bye, Rock-a-bye Baby Thy Cradle is Green from Ingland, The Sleepy Song which is unattributed, Huch 'n Bye another from South Carolina, Schlaf Kindlein Schlaf from Germany, Sweet and Low by Alfred Tennyson ... My only complaint is that music is not given for all of them. But in the best folk tradition, the parent can improvise - the baby has few expectations regarding ethnic music.

The are equivalent chapters for peek-a-boo, facial feature games, clapping, bouncing, lifting, tickling and finger play.

My only complaint - the bibliography is designed for child development not folklore.

If you can possibly find a copy of this for new parents, nap it.