Welcome to Cuba

Children's Literature

This book presents interesting facts about Cuba in large print accompanied by color photographs. Cuba is made up of over 1600 islands and contains "flat-topped mountains called mogotes (mo-GOH-tes)," found only on that island. Cuban words are italicized, followed by phonetic pronunciation. The book also says—"When Castro tried to spread [socialist] policies to other Latin American countries, the U.S. sent forces to stop him. The Soviet Union stepped in to help Cuba, causing tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union." Labeling the Cuban missile confrontation as "tension" misses an ideal teaching opportunity and illustrates a problem with children's texts that seek political correctness. There is little likelihood of a clear discussion of communism in children's literature even eleven years after the fall of the Soviet Union. Still, if children want to know something about Cuba, this modest volume will provide the facts. Part of the World Almanac's "Welcome to My Country" series. 2001, Gareth Stevens Publishing, $22.60. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Nancy Tilly