Hello! From Around the World: Asia, Volume 2--Japan

Winner of a Silver Apple at the National Educational Film & Video Festival, this entry in a multi-volume series aimed at introducing children to customs and cultures around the world opens with a look at Earth from the vantage point of the space shuttle (emphasizing our common home), before zooming down to the Land of the Rising Sun. Since the video is made for children, children are the main attraction here: viewers will see Japanese kids at Shinto temples, at school, at Kendo practice, doing calligraphy, celebrating "Boy Day" and "Girl Day," and at home. While some geography (surprisingly, no detailed maps of Japan are used to orient the viewer), modes of transportation, and Japanese culture are covered (tea ceremony, gardens, carp ponds, etc.), the primary focus is on students. Unfortunately, the video--which is straight footage with voice-over narration--tends to jump around a lot, subject-wise, and the narration is made up of simple declarative sentences, sometimes delivered too fast (for example, almost run-on are the unrelated statements: "young children wear this type of backpack to school" and "Japanese are avid readers"). Although unsuitable for public libraries, elementary schools might want to consider for the good insider footage of children's lives. An optional purchase. Other titles in the series include: Bali, Ecuador, Venezuela, Egypt, Australia, South Pacific Islands, etc. a Teacher's Guide (not seen) is available for an additional $19.95. (R. Pitman)