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The Chinese Violin
Talespinners Collection Collection of 8 short animated films in video format. The length of each video is very short, ranging from 6 min. 39 sec. To 8 min. 21 sec. Public performance rights are given for the videos provided that no fee is charged for the viewing. Gr. K-3. The stories in this film collection fall into two subcategories. Five of the stories are based on real life situations and three are told in the folktale tradition. Three of the realistic stories, Lights for Gita, From Far Away and The Chinese Violin are stories of children who have joined our country from other places. They are well told, sensitive stories addressing real life dilemmas such as inability to understand the language, the possibility of violence and rejection towards newcomers, and newcomers’ misunderstandings of local cultural events. Many issues, such as finding employment are addressed indirectly through animation. The results are poignant glimpses of what it is to be outside of the circle. The other two realistic stories are lighter talks of a young boy named Christopher. They deal with issues that could be common to all children, keeping their room clean and learning to accept their given names. Humour is enhanced by the delightful use of music, animation and script. I am convinced that if my oldest daughter had the benefit of Christopher’s experience, her room would have been spotless! The three stories presented in the folktales tradition present valuable moral messages without being preachy. They use different animation techniques and could be used together in a folktale study. Overall, this is a well-balanced collection of stories that vary in presentation style while maintaining the overall theme of cultural diversity. This diversity is reflected in the collection through variation in animation style, music style and narrative style. Each individual film, consistent with National Film Board standards, is a well-crafted production. The Online Teachers’ Guide offers suggestions for discussions, curriculum links and additional resources. These films could be used in the curriculum areas of Social Studies and Health Studies, which focus on cultural awareness, diversity issues, tolerance and understanding of others. These films could be also used in a Language Arts program. Being a huge fan of National Film Board productions, I have no qualms about highly recommending this collection. The films address diversity issues without being excessively didactic. As with all resources used in the classroom, I would recommend previewing the contents to ensure that they meet the needs of your specific audience. Linda Berezowski
Reviewed by Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
The video includes a study guide with lesson plan, ideas and some well thought out questions to help educators discuss the variations of names and their origins. The guide also gives ideas on brainstorming, language arts activities and useful ways to integrate the video into the rest of the elementary curriculum. This video might be used in conjunction with various other literature pieces in an effort to teach about differences, or to conduct a unit on multiculturalism. The guide also includes some recommended literature selections that can be used in addition to the video. Educators should be aware that there are minor differences between this video and the book of the same name. Christopher Changes His Name is upbeat and has many positive attributes that will appeal to a young audience. Its technical quality is good, and would be an exceptional purchase and a wonderful addition to the collection of any school/public library, university curriculum center, or teaching setting. Reviewed by Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University Rating: Recommended Educational Media Reviews Online "Christopher Changes His Name is upbeat and has many positive attributes that will appeal to a young audience. Its technical quality is good, and would be an exceptional purchase and a wonderful addition to the collection of any school/public library, university curriculum center, or teaching setting." Reviewed by Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University for Educational Media Reviews Online Christopher Changes His Name Christopher Mulamba doesn’t like his name because it is far too common. He adopts a couple of new names (Tiger, The Real McCoy, 23) until it causes him difficulty when trying to deposit a check he receives for his birthday. Deciding that his own name is special after all, since it is the only name that could cash the check, he never changes it again. The animated version of the book by Itah Sadu (Firefly, 1996) makes liberal changes to the story which will confuse youngsters familiar with or reading along in the book, such as Christopher changing his name to 23 in the book and 24 in the film. Although the narrator is effective and the background voices, sound effects, and closing rap song help convey the story, the visual effects are merely acceptable. Roy Condy’s illustrations in the book are far more realistic and appealing than the video’s rather impressionistic and somewhat dated looking ones. The appealing repetition in the book is lost in the much abbreviated video retelling, making this strictly a marginal purchase. Reviewed by Allison Gray, South Country Library, Bellport,
NY
Christopher, Please Clean Up Your Room!
Tamara has also produced several films for Talespinners, a collection featuring children's stories from different cultural communities. Her Talespinners credits include Christopher Changes His Name as well as Christopher, Please Clean Up Your Room! Our young protagonist, Christopher is a talented and well rounded young man. His only problem is that he has a knack for being very messy. His parents refuse to go into his room and his friends have nightmares when they sleep over. His sneakers smell, the fish bowl in his room stinks, and his room looks like a tornado hit it. While some readers may skirm at the plot hatched by an inventive cockroach and fish to get Christopher to clean his room, it works. Tamara Lynch's current production aptly illustrates what many parents go through today with their young siblings. Told in an animated and colorful fashion, the viewer sees the condition of Christopher's room and the response of his pet fish and a visiting cockroach. The room is so filthy that even the cockroach can't stand it. So they wait for Christopher to fall asleep and with the help of some other visiting cockroaches, Christopher realizes that a clean room is a room without cheesy smelling socks, a fungi grown sandwich behind the door, a smelly fish bowl and smelly sneakers. I would advise parents to prepare their children when reading this story. While it teaches cleanliness and the need for personal hygiene, many children may run from the thought of being awakened at night by a room full of cockroaches shaping themselves on the bedroom wall with the message: CHRISTOPHER, TIDY UP YOUR ROOM NOW. Recommended. Reviewed by LaRoi Lawton, Bronx Community College/CUNY. Library & Learning Resources Department Rating: Recommended Educational Media Reviews Online
Christopher, Please Clean Up Your Room! "Told in an animated and colorful fashion, the viewer sees the condition of Christopher’s room and the response of his pet fish and a visiting cockroach. The room is so filthy that even the cockroach can’t stand it. So they wait for Christopher to fall asleep and with the help of some other visiting cockroaches. Christopher realizes that a clean room is a room without cheesy smelling socks, a fungi grown sandwich behind the door, a smelly fish bowl and smelly sneakers. I would advise parents to prepare their children when reading this story. While it teaches cleanliness and the need for personal hygiene, many children may run from the thought of being awakened at night by a room full of cockroaches shaping themselves on the bedroom wall with the message: CHRISTOPHER, TIDY UP YOUR ROOM NOW. Recommended." Reviewed by LaRoi Lawton, Bronx Community College/CUNY. Library & Learning Resources Department for Educational Media Reviews Online Christopher, Please Clean Up Your Room! "Author Itah Sadu does a cool narration of her book (1996). This animated adaptation (that varies somewhat from the print version) boasts delightful rhythmic intonations, a rap song, and terrific visual renderings of malodorous substances and cockroach invasions. Funny and effective." Nancy McCray for Booklist / October 15, 2002
Rating: Recommended Educational Media Reviews Online
From Far Away "This particular video is a cartoon based on (with the emphasis on “based”) the children’s book of the same title. The story concerns a young girl from Beirut who moves to Canada with her family. She recalls the danger to her family in Lebanon, their move to Canada by air, going to school without knowing English and other problems with adjusting to a new culture. Finally, she learns English and adjusts quite well to her new home. A girl narrates the film, which has some musical accompaniment. The color animation reminds this reviewer of the few clips of “South Park” that he has seen. All this is done quite well. This fine production from the National Film Board of Canada should appeal to children in grades 4-8." Reviewed by Michael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, Va.for Educational Media Reviews Online. From Far Away Seven-year-old Saoussan Askar flees war-torn Beirut to Canada with her family in this humorous cartoon adaptation of a book that Robert Munsch co-authored with the child protagonist herself. From being sick on the plane to panicking when she doesn’t know how to ask to use the toilet, Saoussan describes how it feels to move to a strange land. Her school looks like a cold, intimidating warehouse and she can’t understand a word anyone says. Twice she sneaks out of the classroom on all fours to use the bathroom. The second time, she is surprised by a skeleton Halloween decoration that reminds her of the terrors she left behind. She becomes hysterical and ultimately wets herself and her unsuspecting teacher. Her father arrives and explains the holiday, and by the next year she is trick-or-treating with her friends. The narration is short and clever; the simple, by striking comic-book animation is totally different from the original art. The teacher is now African American, and Saoussan is a wide-eyed, pigtailed girl who, unlike the other characters, has no other facial features, possibly signifying her inability to communicate. It’s not until after her crisis, when she takes her first bite of candy, that she acquires a mouth. Background music adds a subtle Middle-Eastern flavor. While children will relate to the story, the bathroom focus, however realistic and amusing, may invite unwarranted silliness or detract from the larger message. Still, it is an important issue for youngsters, and the video offers an opportunity to discuss holidays in different cultures as well as immigration. Reviewed by Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Part of the “Talespinners” series produced by the National Film Board of Canada, this video would be the ideal complement for a unit on multiculturalism or world holidays. It will find use in elementary classrooms and libraries, or in academic libraries serving students in teacher education programs. Recommended. (Includes a study guide and teaching ideas inside video cover.) Reviewed by Kate Merrill, Milne Library, SUNY Geneseo. Rating: Recommended Educational Media Reviews Online
Lights for Gita "A young girl and her family bring a Hindu tradition to North America in this engaging and beautifully animated film by director Michael Vo. Divali is the festival of lights celebrated and observed by Hindus in honor of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, who brings good fortune and prosperity to all people throughout the year. Eight-year-old Gita is excited to be celebrating Divali with her parents and her friends. But when an ice storm threatens to ruin the festivities, the young girl learns the true spirit of Divali and is able to finally understand the holiday’s real meaning in her new life. At just under eight minutes, the film adapts the story taken from Rachna Gilmore’s picture book of the same name. Vibrant colors and a smooth narration bring Gita and her family to life and dramatize the very real impact of the blending of cultures and traditions in a new world. Wonderful animation makes Divali come alive for viewers unfamiliar with this Hindu festival and is sure to please a younger audience." Part of the “Talespinners” series produced by the National Film Board of Canada, this video would be the ideal complement for a unit on multiculturalism or world holidays. It will find use in elementary classrooms and libraries, or in academic libraries serving students in teacher education programs. Recommended. (Includes a study guide and teaching ideas inside video cover.)" Reviewed by Kate Merrill, Milne Library, SUNY Geneseo for Educational Media Reviews Online.
Lights for Gita This delightful multicultural tale of celebration and friendship is a beautiful retelling of Rachna Gilmore’s book (Tilbury House, 1994). Gita, an eight-year-old Eastern Indian girl, is beginning to adjust to life in America (presumably Canada) when the Hindu holiday Divali, a festival of lights, rolls around on the autumn calendar. Gita recalls her favorite holiday and the festivities in her native land, and hopes for the same experience in her new country. Her daydreams of fireworks and candy are dashed, however, when a gloomy day gives way to an ice storm, and her invited friends begin to cancel. Embracing the true spirit of Divali, Gita seizes the opportunity to spread her own light. The story is wonderful, and the book is beautifully illustrated by Alice Priestly. Priestly’s illustrations are replaced in the video with colorful cell animation, complemented with East Indian influenced background music. Sensitive exposure to the East Indian culture is one reason to purchase this video, but viewers will appreciate the well-written story as well. This title will be useful for social studies units as well as general viewing. A not-to-be missed beautiful tale! Reviewed by Kirsten Martindale, Buford Academy, GA
The Magic of Anansi: A Traditional West Indian Tale
The video includes a study guide with lesson plan ideas that could be used to further discuss the practice and the art of storytelling in various cultures, particularly the African culture. Additionally, the video could also be used with the book of the same name, or other Anansi stories to teach moral lessons to young children. The Magic of Anansi is a charming, animated, and intriguing video with many positive lessons that will appeal to a young audience. Its technical quality is excellent and the characters come to life in a gentle manner while conveying their messages in humorous and distinct voices. The video would be an exceptional purchase and wonderful addition to include in the collection of any school/public library, university curriculum center, or teaching setting. Reviewed by Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University Rating: Highly Recommended Educational Media Reviews Online
"The Magic of Anansi is a charming, animated, and intriguing video with many positive lessons that will appeal to a young audience. Its technical quality is excellent and the characters come t life in a gentle manner while conveying their message in humorous and distinct voices. The video would be an exceptional purchase and wonderful addition to include in the collection of any school/public library, university curriculum center, or teaching setting." Reviewed by Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University for Educational Media Reviews Online
This delightfully animated video accompanies the book written by Paul Yee, Roses Sing on New Snow: a delicious tale. It is one of several videos in the NFB of Canada’s Talespinners Collection that have been based on popular and timeless children’s books. The animation is true to the unique colors used in the book. The video and book provide an historical and multicultural twist to the traditional theme of special talent not receiving acknowledgement when it is deserved. However, praise and admiration always come at the end of the story. The inside cover of the video includes a study guide that teachers or parents can use with children when watching the video. Reviewed by Heather Munger, Health Sciences Library, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Rating: Recommended Educational Media Reviews Online
Roses Sing on New Snow "The animation is true to the unique colors used in the book. The video and book provide an historical and multicultural twist to the traditional theme of special talent not receiving acknowledgement when it is deserved. However, praise and admiration always come at the end of the story. The inside cover of the video includes a study guide that teachers or parents can use with children when watching the video." Reviewed by Heather Munger, Health Sciences Library, University at Buffalo, State University of New York for Educational Media Reviews Online Roses Sing on New Snow Based on the award-winning book by Canadian author Paul Yee (Meadow Mouse, pap. 1994), Roses Sing on New Snow is an animated tale about a young Chinese girl, Maylin, who is the cook in her father’s Chinatown restaurant. When the Emperor of South China visits the New World, Maylin creates a special dish for him. Her two lazy brothers, who try to take credit for Maylin’s creation, are caught in their lie. When the Emperor and Maylin cook side-by-side using the same ingredients, he is not able to replicate her dish. This lively tale deals with the moral issue of deception and also makes a statement about the nature of creativity. It teaches youngsters that there is more to creativity than combining the right ingredients. The animation is excellent, and the Chinese accented female narrator and traditional Chinese music add authenticity to the story. Since the video differs from the accompanying book and is not a word-for-word reading, the pair can’t be used for read-along practice. A good choice for school and public libraries. Reviewed by Susan Price, London Public Library, Ontario,
Canada
R. Pitman, Video Librarian
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A
young Chinese girl tells the story of her emigration to Canada with
her father in this dramatic, animated film. Joe Chang created the
story and illustrations and added music to the initially wordless
short. Madeleine Thien then created the narration and subsequent book
(Whitecap, 2001). The video includes scenes and dialogue that are
not included in the book. From the father’s joy at obtaining
immigration papers to the child’s wonder at her new surroundings,
Chang chronicles the family’s hopes and challenges in a new
land. Though the girl is lonely, unable to make friends because she
can’t speak English, and her father can’t find work, the
sweet music he plays on his violin comforts and transports them to
their homeland. As he plays for passersby on a street corner, two
thugs attack and rob him, smashing the violin. In their darkest hour,
the father cautions, “We must not lose hope,” and the
child realizes she must make her own happiness. Soon after, dad finds
a job and identifies his attackers in a line-up; his daughter studies
hard and makes friends. Her efforts are rewarded with a violin of
her own with which she plays a beautiful melody at a school recital.
Incidents at the immigration office and the police lineup may confuse
youngsters, although children who have lived through similar situations
will undoubtedly appreciate them. The whimsical scene featuring the
girl dancing with raccoons and geese in the woods will be enjoyed
by all. Chang’s illustrations, rendered in pastel and pen on
brown textured paper, reflect the mood and action of the story much
as a graphic novel would. Coupled with xylophone and violin music,
the art juxtaposes the delicate beauty of a beloved China with the
family’s new urban life.
This
video is based on the book titled, Christopher Changes
His Name, by Itah Sadu. The story concerns a young boy
named Christopher Mulamba and his struggle with accepting his birth
name. The young character decides that his name is too “common”
and lacks the uniqueness of some of the others he has come across.
Besides, how unique could his name be? He is sure that millions of
people around the world share the same name. It is not until Christopher
runs into a dilemma, after using several aliases, that he realizes
his name is special and important. 
Tamara Lynch joined the National Film Board in 1972. In 1986 she was
named children's producer in Studio G, the NFB's educational studio
(which was eventually amalgamated with the NFB Animation Studio to
become Animation, Children, Interactive, or ACI). She has produced
over 40 titles to date. 
This
particular video is a cartoon based on (with the emphasis on “based”)
the children’s book of the same title. The story concerns a
young girl from Beirut who moves to Canada with her family. She recalls
the danger to her family in Lebanon, their move to Canada by air,
going to school without knowing English and other problems with adjusting
to a new culture. Finally, she learns English and adjusts quite well
to her new home. A girl narrates the film, which has some musical
accompaniment. The color animation reminds this reviewer of the few
clips of “South Park” that he has seen. All this is done
quite well. This fine production from the National Film Board of Canada
should appeal to children in grades 4-8. 
A young girl and her family bring a Hindu tradition to North America
in this engaging and beautifully animated film by director Michael
Vo. Divali is the festival of lights celebrated and observed by Hindus
in honor of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, who brings good fortune
and prosperity to all people throughout the year. Eight-year-old Gita
is excited to be celebrating Divali with her parents and her friends.
But when an ice storm threatens to ruin the festivities, the young
girl learns the true spirit of Divali and is able to finally understand
the holiday’s real meaning in her new life. At just under eight
minutes, the film adapts the story taken from Rachna Gilmore’s
picture book of the same name. Vibrant colors and a smooth narration
bring Gita and her family to life and dramatize the very real impact
of the blending of cultures and traditions in a new world. Wonderful
animation makes Divali come alive for viewers unfamiliar with this
Hindu festival and is sure to please a younger audience. 
This video is based on the book title, The Magic of Anansi,
a story that was adapted by Mary Withers. The origins of Anansi date
back to the oral and written storytelling tradition believed to have
been brought to the West Indies by African slaves. These tales originated
as an Ashanti legend from Ghana and have continued to take on new
life as they are passed from generation to generation. This African
folklore storyline, one of many, concerns the antics of well-known,
mischievous trickster Anansi and his attempt to earn respect from
the other jungle animals. The final lesson concerns the costs of earning
this respect at the possible price of ruining relationships with others.
Roses Sing on New Snow is the story of a young woman, Maylin,
who prepares delicious meals in her father’s restaurant in the
New World for the “lonely and cold and bone-tired” diners.
Unfortunately, she does not receive the recognition she deserves since
her greedy father and lazy brothers pretend as though they are the
ones cooking. When an important dignitary arrives from China wanting
to sample food prepared in the New World, Maylin creates a wonderful
new dish, Roses Sing on New Snow, for this special occasion. Of course,
her father and brothers take credit for the dish when it is loved
by the dignitary. When the dignitary wants the recipe, her father
and brothers fail miserably at trying to cook the special recipe and
are forced to ask Maylin for help. Maylin, side-by-side with the dignitary,
teaches him how to prepare the dish. When Maylin’s is by far
the better tasting of the two, she carefully explains that even though
he has the same ingredients it is her gift for cooking that brings
greatness to the dish! 
Christine
Amber Tang's animated The Friends of Kwan Ming, an entry in the National
Film Board of Canada's eight volume video/book series Talespinners,
is based on a tale from the accompanying book Tales from Gold Mountain
by Paul Yee, in which a young man named Kwan Ming emigrates from China
to America following the death of his father. Filled with the hope
of building a new life for himself and later sending for his mother,
Kwan makes three new friends on the voyage to the New World ("they
ate, told jokes, shared dreams"), all of whom eventually land
decent jobs--except for Kwan, who is forced to take a job as a shop
boy for a cruel master. When the master decides to fire Kwan in a
pique of anger, he offers the lad a seemingly impossible request in
order to keep his position: namely, to provide the master with a woolen
suit, fine boots, and 40 loaves of bread within three days. Fortunately,
Kwan's friends come to the rescue in a humorous, fairytale-like resolution.
Boasting a solid message about the rewards of friendship, coupled
with eye-catching, colorful clay and computer animation, this video/book
combination is recommended. Other titles in the series include: Christopher
Changes His Name, Lights For Gita, The Magic of
Anansi, and From Far Away. Aud: K, E, P.