Caribbean

Ah, the Caribbean…it’s the ultimate tropical paradise, right? True enough, but there’s more to this stretch of islands than meets the eye. It has a colorful and violent history of colonization, slavery, and war – not to mention magnificent music and art. Everything Caribbean, for kids, is covered right here: from how the islands formed to how their first inhabitants – the Ciboney, the Arawak, and the Caribs – struggled against each other, and against Columbus, to take control of the region. More recent battles for independence are also featured, including Haiti’s 1791 rebellion against France and the Spanish-American War in Cuba.

Next, take in the intriguing sights and sounds of Creole life in the Caribbean. Kids will be amazed by the many spiritual practices found there, including Voodoo and Santeria, and the wealth of musical styles, like reggae and salsa – which have West African roots. Then they’ll read up on the region’s ongoing poverty and political hardships, plus learn about the valuable products that have been exported from there for centuries, such as sugarcane and tobacco. A group of several interviews of children born in the Caribbean, for kids who like personal stories, is sure to be a hit.

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