Abubakari: the Explorer King Of Mali; Estevanico And the Seven Cities Of Gold

Hosted by former Harlem Globetrotter Herschell Turner, these entries in the "Black Explorer Series" use iconographic animation and overlaid narration to tell their tales. Abubakari relates the story of the early 14th-century Mali king who launched Pacific expeditions in 1308 and 1310, the first ending in tragedy, the second's outcome uncertain. We're told that Abubakari may have arrived in the New World in 1311 and that blacks were in South America as early as 4,000 B.C., propositions that, were it not for the considerable body of knowledge known as "modern anthropology," might be worth considering. Estevanico, using the same format, is about the 16th-century Spanish slave who eventually took charge of the expedition to find Mexico's illusory Seven Cities of Gold. Questionable history aside, essentially enhanced filmstrips like these aren't likely to capture the interest of today's elementary and junior high students. Not a necessary purchase. (R. Pitman)