Nursery Tap Hip to Toe: A Taste of International Folklore and Rhythms; Rhyme List

When I was growing up in my little, sheltered, white bread world of Fargo, ND I thought there were just, oh, maybe 10 rhymes in the whole world. Everyone knew them and they were all English. How's that for bland?!

In today's world it is extremely important that we expose our children to the sounds and rhythms of other countries. I don't see this simply as a "politically correct" thing to do, but, more of an obligation to our children's educational enrichment. As I have said before, hearing sounds, rhythms, and stories from other cultures can only expand a child's perspective, phonemic awareness, and help to train their little ears to appreciate and understand literature on a global level.

Fast forward to 21^st century--our daughter is Chinese, so when I was in pre-production for my first children's DVD I wanted to include a Chinese rhyme or a piece of poetry. I found a lovely piece called, "The King of China's Daughter" that was beautifully translated and lent itself perfectly to ballet. It goes like this:

The king of China's daughter
So beautiful to see
With her face like yellow water, left
Her nutmeg tree.
Her little rope for skipping
She kissed and gave it me
Made of painted notes of singing-birds
Among the fields of tea.
I skipped across the nutmeg grove
I skipped across the sea;
But neither sun or moon, my dear,
Has yet. . . caught. . . me.

What incredible images! Along with an ethereally opaque and gorgeous pink lantern that I found in a shop on Orcas Island in the San Juan's, I used bamboo chimes and a meditation ring to capture the essence of China.

For the second DVD I was very brazen and included 3 Chinese rhymes (or very short poems) rhymes to the collection. This was a little trickier because I really wanted to pay further homage to the language and the sounds of China, but, alas, I am not Chinese. How was I going to accomplish this when I am doing the voice over work and I don't speak the language? Well, I have a pretty good ear, so, I simply got a little coaching from a couple of Chinese women in the International district in Seattle to make sure my pronunciations were correct. (No accent, just correct pronunciation, she said timidly). The second collection also has 6 French rhymes that were so much fun to bring to life! I am now looking to expand the international appeal of another DVD or CD to include African American rhymes, Australian rhymes, Mexican rhymes, and more Asian rhymes.

There are amazing international rhyme books in the universe. Some are available in book stores, some have to be special ordered, and some are antique or vintage, but they do exist and it is well worth the time to add several to your children's library.

Here is a short list of books that begin to celebrate the sounds and rhythms from other cultures:

1. Apples on a Stick; The Folklore of Black Children

Collected & Edited by Barbara Michels & Bettye White

2. Step It Down; Games, Plays, Songs & Stories From the Afro-American Heritage

By Bessie Jones & Bess Lomax Hawes

3. Cinderella Dressed in Yella; The First Attempt At a Definitive Study of Australian

Children's Play Rhymes

Edited, with an interpretive essay, by Ian Turner, 1969

4. Sally Go Round the Sun; 300 Songs, Rhymes and Games of Canadian Children

By Edith Fowke 1969

5. Games and Songs of American Children

Collected and Compared by William Wells Newell, 1962