Songs in the Shade of the Olive Tree: From Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and France - Book 1 - Hardcover

by Magdeleine Lerasle (Author), Hafida Favret (Author)

Learn about the cultures and traditions from the Maghreb with 15 lullabies and nursery rhymes. Presented in Arabic, Berber, and French, this collection of lullabies and nursery rhymes from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia draws children into a musical journey across North Africa, from the Sahara Desert through the Atlas Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. In 15 songs about everyday life, children learn of the importance of rain, the communal aspects of meals, and the consequences of inappropriate behaviour. This uplifting, enchanting collection features traditional songs performed by local singers backed by indigenous acoustic instruments. Capturing the meeting of ancient and modern styles, it's an absolute delight to musical ears. Lyrics are provided in Arabic and translated into English, followed by notes on each song's origin and cultural context. A free teaching guide and activity sheets are available at www.thesecretmountain.com. Scan the QR code to listen to the songs online.

Author Biography

Magdeleine Lerasle is an early childhood educator and researcher specializing in teaching language to children in Paris. She is also the author of Songs from a Journey with a Parrot. Nathalie Novi is an Algerian-born illustrator who graduated from Pierre Courtin's copperplate engraving workshop and studied at l'ﾉcole nationale des Beaux-Arts de Paris. She has illustrated more than 60 children's books and received a special mention from the Bologna International Children's Book Fair for the picture book Une cuisine tout en chocolat.