Let's Look at Thailand
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
Children's coloring book with descriptions of people and places.
Description
This twenty-five page color/story book offers pictures and descriptions of some of the people and places in Thailand. Each page contains a pen and ink line drawing and a brief section of the story. A ten year old boy named Rerm is the guide who explains things about his country.
On the tour Rerm explains things seen in the black and white drawings. Things like homes, life styles, means of transport, schools, and religious beliefs are briefly explained. Rerm’s family are Christians, but he explains that most Thai people are Buddhist. He also explains that some people who live in Thailand are Malays from the bordering country of Malaysia. Others are people whose ancestors came from India.
A variety of tribal peoples are pictured along with some of their unique clothing styles. These groups include the Akha, Lisu, Yao, Karen, and Hmong.
The book ends with Rerm explaining the importance of fishing, which he then relates to the need for those who put their trust in Jesus to become “fishers of men”.
The front inside cover has a map of southeast Asia. It identifies Thailand and the countries surrounding it.
Considerations
- The line drawings are interesting and the story does a good job explaining the drawings.
- The story is simple enough for most children to follow.
- The description of Buddhist and Muslim beliefs are given simply and without negative comments.
- For use as a coloring book, many of the pages tell what colors to use for accuracy. This is especially true of the explanation for the different tribal peoples who are pictured.
- Most of the illustrations are full views, but some show just the head or upper portions of bodies. Some children will need to to be taught how to understand these pictures.
Limitations
Guidelines for Use
- This coloring book has possibility for use as an audio cassette story. The illustrations could be shown on a flipchart.
- It could also be used as a coloring book to accompany the audio cassette.
- The material would be most useful in southeast Asia (especially in Thailand) as a method of learning to understand other people, customs, and countries.
- It is also a way of showing children that God loves all people and sent his son, Jesus, to share this good news with all people.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
Cost of booklet: $3.80 US at time of publication
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Drawings and story by Mary Gurtler.
Current copyright owner
Third edition copyright 1987
If you are interested in translating this story into a vernacular language, you will need to contact OMF Singapore for permission. Use a Creative Commons License. This will help you come to an agreement, giving permission and guidelines for any changes needed for the book to be culturally relevant in your vernacular languages.
