Skip Across The Ocean

by Floella Benjamin

A collection of international nursery rhymes includes selections from such countries as Poland, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Nigeria, while North America is represented by Native American, Arctic Canadian, and Puerto Rican pieces.

Genres: Poetry, Cultural, Nursery Rhymes, Picture Books, Childrens

45 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Floella Benjamin, OBE, was born in 1949

Reviews

[Kelly Ann]

Skip Across the Ocean collected by Floella Benjamin and illustrated by Shiela Moxley is a collection of nursery rhymes, poetry and nonsense rhymes from all over the world. It consists of many items intended to capture the imagination of a child and even enhance their knowledge of the world.

There are many enjoyable poems and rhymes in this book and the illustrations make the collection even more enjoyable with its vibrant colours and imaginative pictures. It is a very useful book and promotes cross curricular learning especially in the areas of English, History, RE,Modern Languages, Music and Drama.

I would recommend this book for children in KS1 and KS2 as I believe some of the content would be too advanced for those in EYFS. It would however be great for older children as it gives them a chance to encounter other cultures and customs and they can then link this information to other areas of the curriculum.

[Christianna Woodling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Skip Across the Ocean: Nursery Rhymes from Around the World
Author: Floella Benjamin
Illustrated by: Sheila Moxley
Genre: Nursery Rhymes
Themes: Nursery Rhymes, cultural exploration,
Opening Line: “Bird comes, Eats some seed, Drinks a little water, And flies away!”

Brief Book Summary: Throughout the book a variety of nursery rhymes come to life through illustrations. Each nursery rhyme is written with the title and its country of origin and includes a vivid illustration.

Professional Recommendation/Review #1
CLCD
Errol Llyod (Books for Keeps No. 113, November 1998)
“This is a delightful collection of traditional lullabies and nursery rhymes from around the world.”
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...

Professional Recommendation/Review #2
CLCD
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1995)
“Exuberant childlike paintings glow and almost run away with this eclectic grouping of 32 nursery rhymes. As the acknowledgements attest, Benjamin gathered rhymes the world over and arranged her harvest into "Lullabies," "Action Rhymes" (with instructions for motion included on the same page that are not always clear or easy to follow), "Nature," and a final mixed "Grab Bag."
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...

Response to Reviews: I completely agree with these reviews. I think it’s really important that this book provides the origin of each rhyme and the illustrations appear to be culturally appropriate. Certain rhymes throughout the book also have movements explained on the page that you can do with your child while reading. This book provides a beautiful multicultural experience for all children.

Evaluation of Literary Elements: I think the overall tone of this book should be noted. Through the translations of the nursery rhymes to the illustrations, this story has created a happy and welcoming tone in relation to other cultures. This can have a positive effect on children as they read to feel excited about experiencing different cultures.

Considerations of Instructional Application: This book would be ideal to use with upper elementary students when discussing poetry. Students can analyze each rhyme and look for poetic elements. This book could also be used to teach a multicultural lesson for any grade. Students can research the different cultures represented in the book and even find more information on the back ground of the specific nursery rhyme.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirty-two nursery rhymes from various countries of the world are representative of various cultures including Native American. Several selections were familiar as the French “Frere Jacques” from France and “Kookaburra” from Australia are knows in the United States. This title basically appears to adults who are interested in children and the literature/poetry they hear and read. Copyrighted in 1995, the Library copy I read exhibits almost no wear from usage.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We got this one from the library - a collection of lullabies from all across the world, some on the original languages. Some of the first ones we read were in German and Wampanoag (!!!), and I especially liked one in Norwegian . . . cool stuff!

[Jamesohn Bader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Left a lot to be desired. Struggled to finish. Didn’t find any new rhymes that I felt needed to be added to my repertoire.

[JenniferJennaJennyJen Melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awards: None

Appropriate grade level: pre-K - 1st

Original summary: Nursery rhymes from around the world. Includes "El Coqui" from Puerto Rico and "Clap Hands" from Trinidad.

Original review: A wonderful mix of thirty-three rhymes from around the world. Some are lullabies and some a faster passed rhymes but all are really beautiful. I could not pick a favorite between "Kella Bukk" from Norway and "Frère Jacques" from France but was happy to learn that "Kookaburra" is from Australia.

Possible in-class uses:
1. Show and Tell (favorite baby books or toy)
2. Rhyming word activity with cut and paste images along with word

[Abdul Haleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skip Across The Ocean- Collected by Floella Benjamin

The book is a compilation of nursery rhymes from around the world with fantastic illustrations to represent the countries culture and background. Some of the nursery rhymes are written in the same language of the country which they have been generated from.

I like this pack of nursery rhymes and believe that certain nursery rhymes can be read out as a class, this book should also be encouraged to be on the bookshelf as it would be very useful for inclusion of children with EAL. Reading a nursery rhyme from a particular EAL Pupil’s heritage will enable them to feel as if they are a part of the class rather than feeling secluded. The rhyming words and literature used makes it simple for students to read and follow the book therefore I would recommend this book for nursery or reception classes.

[Melissa Morgal]

Nursery rhymes from around the world- including lullabies, action rhymes, nature, and grab bag rhymes. Some rhymes are in the native language and then translated below.

[SB · Rating 1 out of 5]

11/7/2013: I got to wondering to what extent these are actually common nursery rhymes when I arrived at the one labeled as being from Tennessee (i.e. the US/my own country) and had never heard it before in my life. I'm going to ask friends from other countries about some of the others. We'll see what they say.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very pretty illustrations, and I loved the selections from other parts of the world. It made me giggle that the Spanish version of "ring around the rosy" is sung to the same tune as the English...but the words and subject matter are completely different.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun to recognize some of the nursery rhymes from my childhood & also become reacquainted with Floella Benjamin who was my favorite children's TV presenter in England in the 80's. She has such a wonderful joie de vivre!

[Madison Walden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Experience many cultures with this book that shows you classic lullabies, action rhymes, nature, and misc. poems. They tell you where each poem is from and any information that is relevant. The children listening to this poems can learn more about the other countries this book draws poems from.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clap Hands from Trinidad, Lizzie from Poland, and others give storytime world music vibe.

[Leslie Zinsmeister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade: K-2
Topic: Geographic location

[A. Kuhlii]

Good range of diversity in selection but I didn't find any new rhymes that I want to use.

[Taylor Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of nursery rhymes from around the world. The book contains the nursery rhymes in both their native language and the translation in English. The book also has high quality illustrations.