Multicultural Books

Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and Susan Roth

Mortenson, G. (2009). Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea. New York: Dial Books.

ISBN # 978-0803730588

This is a version of Greg Mortenson’s original book, “Three Cups of Tea.” This is a true story told through the voices of the children from Korphe. Dr. Greg got lost climbing in the mountains and arrives in the village of Korphe cold and hungry. The people in the town nurture him back to health; he was very grateful for the kindness they showed him and returns the favour by helping the people in the town as much as he can with his medical knowledge of being a nurse. He promises to return to build a school for the children. Everyone comes to work together to build the school for the children of Korphe.

The illustrations in this book are very bright and warm; they give warmth to what would otherwise be cold mountain scenery. What makes the illustrations in this book special is that the children of Korphe often re use the tiny bits of fabrics and papers that are left behind by foreigners to make "base paper", and Susan created the collages in book for this book using the same technique.

This book is appropriate for children three to five because of the point of view it is told from. It is told from the children’s view making it very easy to understand for other children. The bright illustrations and the setting the book is in makes it something new and exciting to share with the children.

Provocations

To provide background knowledge on this book teachers could explain to children about different parts of the world and and what the schools are like around the world. When children arrive in the morning images of Pakistan, Korphe,and the school they built could be on the board. Three tea cups would be placed on a table as well.

Presenting the Story

Acting it out

Reading the story as a group and acting it out by using each other to become the props. For example when in the story they need to build a bridge the students can group together to make a bridge with their bodies. This will get the whole class involved and recreating what happens in the book through body actions.

Felt Story

Using felt pieces you make and a felt board you could tell the story through a felt story. To do this I would simplify the story so you don't have to cut as many felt pieces! During this story I would stop and wonder with the children after Greg returns home, to see what the children would do. I would ask them what they do to say thank you when someone has helped them.

Using Blocks

At the start of the story you could have a pile of blocks scattered on the ground, as the story goes along you could gradually start building the blocks in to a school so by the time the book is finished there is a school in 3D in front of their eyes as well.

Extensions

Making collages

Using different bits of scrap materials and fabrics students can make their own collages. Just like the way in the book they make the illustrations of out scraps to build collages. In Korphe they use scrap paper to make base paper.

Headscarves

A discussion about why women wear headscarves and the different styles of headscarves. All the countries where headscarves are worn and the different ways to wear them could be experimented with. Teachers could leave some scarves in the dress up area for children to experiment with.

Building Bridges

How are bridges made? Teachers could bring in pictures of bridges from around the world.  We could discuss how bridges are made, and then make our own bridges out of popsicle sticks, toilet paper rolls, and cardboard.