Worlds Together: Cuba

The latest entry in Elmer Hawkes' youth-oriented travelogues, Cuba focuses on the island nation located less than 100 miles from Florida, serving up numerous historical and geographical facts against a backdrop of colorful visuals, beginning with the country's agricultural successes: sugar plantations, tropical fruits, and many farms. But there is much more to Cuba's vibrant life, including good theatre, an abundance of festivals, a unique cuisine, and homegrown music genres. Havana is one of the oldest cities in the Americas, and is home to an emerging bio-tech industry and regularly hosts film production. The street culture here is especially lively, where dining on the fare of outdoor vendors is the norm and the sound of Spanish guitar blended with African rhythms provides an ongoing urban soundtrack. Cuba boasts free healthcare, a solid education system, and busy churches, although not everything in the country is peachy (the narration alludes to news blackouts, food shortages, and a flimsy power grid). Combining insightful looks at both city and country life (including a stop at the island's eastern coast, where hurricanes make farming more challenging), this is recommended. Aud: E, I, J, P. (T. Keogh)