Synopsis
An introduction to the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia, including its history, geography, economy, sports, plant and animal life, and social life and customs.
Kate Pourshariati - Children's Literature
This information book about Cambodia seems to be directed at either very young readers or reluctant readers because the sentences are very short, but unfortunately, are also quite insipid. A reluctant reader, in particular, needs to be drawn in with colorful and interesting prose, even in a factually based book. An example of a declarative statement in this book is: "Fruit is a common food in Cambodia." One can just imagine a report-writing second grader yawning as they copy this down. Less benign in some respects is the tendency to use photographs of specific situations, for example, a one room school house in a village, with the caption, "Cambodian children of all ages go to school in the same classroom." Is this always true? What about the large or elite schools of Phnom Penh? One is given the impression that there is no middle or upper class. The most positive efforts of this book are the inclusion of a small amount of Khmer language, with its own script and pronunciation and rules of a game called Angkunh, which readers can learn to play. The resources section mentions the Asia Society in New York, and educators could find superior learning resources about Cambodia at their Web site, www.asiasociety.org. The book is part of the "Countries of the World" series. 2003, Bridgestone Books/Capstone Press,
Editorials
Children's Literature
This information book about Cambodia seems to be directed at either very young readers or reluctant readers because the sentences are very short, but unfortunately, are also quite insipid. A reluctant reader, in particular, needs to be drawn in with colorful and interesting prose, even in a factually based book. An example of a declarative statement in this book is: "Fruit is a common food in Cambodia." One can just imagine a report-writing second grader yawning as they copy this down. Less benign in some respects is the tendency to use photographs of specific situations, for example, a one room school house in a village, with the caption, "Cambodian children of all ages go to school in the same classroom." Is this always true? What about the large or elite schools of Phnom Penh? One is given the impression that there is no middle or upper class. The most positive efforts of this book are the inclusion of a small amount of Khmer language, with its own script and pronunciation and rules of a game called Angkunh, which readers can learn to play. The resources section mentions the Asia Society in New York, and educators could find superior learning resources about Cambodia at their Web site, www.asiasociety.org. The book is part of the "Countries of the World" series. 2003, Bridgestone Books/Capstone Press,— Kate Pourshariati