Families of Guatemala

Aired on PBS, this new addition to the Families of the World series—which follows two children in everyday activities, while overdubbed narration offers details on their native land—focuses on Guatemala. First, viewers meet seven-year-old Mariaelena, who lives with her family on a coffee and macadamia nut farm. Mariaelena rides in the back of a Toyota to her Catholic all-girls school, observes coffee harvesting and roasting processes, and enjoys tamales with her family. Next, we visit urban nine-year-old Jorge, a fraternal twin who attends a coed Catholic school, enjoys ping pong and soccer, and performs a reggaeton dance routine with his friends (later, Jorge dances in a local festival). Jorge's father is a busy doctor, and the family often eats dinner together at the clinic. Touching on cuisine, the influence of Mayan culture, and the central role of family throughout, this day-in-the-life portrait also features a PDF-format teacher's guide. Also newly available in the series: Families of Panama and More Families of Mexico. Recommended. Aud: E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)