All About Thailand

Detailed cultural information about a country that most people in the U.S. may only know about through its food.Thailand is a country rich in tradition, folklore, visual arts, music, and dance as well as culinary treats, and this volume provides access to a wealth of background material, stories, and hands-on projects and activities. One of a series of books on Asian cultures, this includes recipes for such dishes as sticky rice with mangoes and Thai chicken noodle soup (made with rice noodles), which follow a description of the importance of rice in the Thai diet. A description of Loi Krathong, the floating-lantern festival, is presented after a double-page spread on religion. Sheet music for a song and the instructions for making a special floating lantern are included, along with information on the flying-lantern festival, Yi-Peng, celebrated in northern Thailand at the same time, during the full moon of November. A spectacular photo displays the golden flying lanterns sent up to carry wishes to the Buddha. Other photos are used occasionally throughout the book, but most of the illustrations have an attractive, brightly colored, cartoonish look. Although other resources will be needed to give a picture of Thai history and the current social, political, and economic situations, this compendium will serve children, educators (formal and informal), librarians, and parents well. Appreciation for Thailand's heritage will quickly follow the reading of this book. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 8-11) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2016
Grades 3-5 In this delightful offering, young readers are introduced to Thailand's unique culture and attractions by two narrators, Mali and Tawan, who take readers on a guided tour of its cities and the countryside. A large country map kicks things off, with major regions and cities labeled. While it is noted that Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, no map showing its global position is provided. Readers will visit fascinating destinations, such as white sand beaches, limestone caves, tropical forests, and a monkey-training college where macaques learn to pick coconuts so they can work on plantations. The book includes traditional songs, folktales, descriptions of celebrations and national sports (e.g., sepak takro, a combination of volleyball and soccer), lists of useful Thai words, a primer on religions and customs, recipes, and directions for making traditional crafts. Cheerful contemporary illustrations depicting smiling rice-pickers and rosy-cheeked street-food vendors are inviting but cast an overly idyllic charm that will leave readers erroneously convinced that Thailand is, above all, a tropical paradise.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)