Families of Sweden

In the latest addition to the excellent Global Family Series, viewers get a peek at the everyday lives of children in Sweden. In the first of two 15-minute segments, we visit the home of 5-year-old Evelina, who lives with her parents and younger brother. She walks to day care, where she makes a cake and learns the alphabet; back at home, she feeds ducks and helps prepare dinner with her family. We also see a typical birthday party, go shopping, and glimpse her parents at work. In the second segment, we meet Alexander (he appears to be around 8 or 9), whose parents are divorced and share custody of him and his older brother. Following Alex to school, we learn about Sweden's government, some religious and political history, and recreational habits. Just as with the previously reviewed title in this series (Families of India [VL-11/97]), the script is excellent, clearly narrated by the children, and the footage is fantastic--intimate but not intrusive. Lots of interesting facts about the country are presented from a non-glamorized, realistic viewpoint which brings other cultures into the classroom or home for a reasonable price. Highly recommended. Aud: E, I, J, P. (E. Gieschen)