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Many Ideas Open the Way: A Collection of Hmong Proverbs
From witticisms about family members to how to behave in politics, the twenty Hmong proverbs gathered in this book reflect the many facets of Hmong culture that have thrived throughout the years. These sayings give readers an insight into the way of the Hmong people, where wisdom and personal relationships are central. Each proverb is presented in its original Hmong language and also translated into English. But the ancient proverbs are only half the jump off into the extraordinary as Randy Snook’s vibrant photographs blend the past with the future. Depicting each proverb are the Hmong people, dressed in traditional costume but placed in the fanciful setting of the proverb itself, where imagination prevails. The result is a remarkable blend of the new and the old and of cultures near and far, making us realize that no matter what our ages or where our homes are, we can all share a bit of wisdom from each other.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 4, 2011
Photographic illustrations by: Randy Snook
Publisher: Shen's Books
Year: 2003
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Decodability- 2-3; Comprehension- 3-5
This bilingual book illustrates some of the Hmong's proverbs with beautiful photographic illustrations. Snook used a Hmong family as models for this text, including traditional textiles as part of the the compositions. Some photos are simplistic, while others have a quality of fantasy about them. It does not seem that the author is Hmong, but has some historical knowledge of the people that he shares in the artist's note at the back of the book. What's missing is historical context for proverbs. I enjoyed having that feature when reading Tigers, Frogs, and Rice Cakes: A Book of Korean Proverbs.
I think this book can be used to open up a conversation about cultural beliefs or as part of a comparative study with United States culture/other Asian cultures. Kids could also find other proverbs to illustrate with photos in a similar style.
Publisher: Shen's Books
Year: 2003
Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Decodability- 2-3; Comprehension- 3-5
This bilingual book illustrates some of the Hmong's proverbs with beautiful photographic illustrations. Snook used a Hmong family as models for this text, including traditional textiles as part of the the compositions. Some photos are simplistic, while others have a quality of fantasy about them. It does not seem that the author is Hmong, but has some historical knowledge of the people that he shares in the artist's note at the back of the book. What's missing is historical context for proverbs. I enjoyed having that feature when reading Tigers, Frogs, and Rice Cakes: A Book of Korean Proverbs.
I think this book can be used to open up a conversation about cultural beliefs or as part of a comparative study with United States culture/other Asian cultures. Kids could also find other proverbs to illustrate with photos in a similar style.
Displaying 1 of 1 review