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By Dawn Woodruff, Twisp Public Library

What is Culture? It is the way we live. It is the language, clothes, customs, food, music, religion, artistic expression, and celebrations of people and places. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that not everyone is just like us, our friends, and our family. It’s good to explore other cultures – it builds empathy and awareness of other people’s wants and needs.

Below are some resources available from NCW Libraries to help you explore other cultures! (Note: these resources require a library card.)

Online Resources

CultureGrams (all ages) fosters understanding and appreciation of the world’s countries and peoples by creating and publishing concise, reliable, and up-to-date cultural content. Today the CultureGrams series is one of the most trusted and widely used cultural reference and curriculum products in the education, government, and non-profit arenas. It includes a “Kid’s” version of the website.

Rosetta Stone (all ages) is dedicated to changing people’s lives through the power of language education. It uses computer technology to simulate the way that people learn their native language—with pictures and sounds in context, and with no translation. Rosetta Stone can help all types of learners read, write, and speak more than 30 languages.

Kanopy(all ages)A video streaming service newly offered to NCW Library card holders! Find movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films, and educational videos that inspire, enrich and entertain.

Books & Magazines available through NCW Libraries

Young Kids

What is Culture? By Bobbie Kalman

Around the World: A Colorful Atlas for Kids by Anita Ganeri, art by Christopher Corr

Smithsonian Children’s Illustrated Atlas by Andrew Brooks

Atlas of Adventures: A Collection of Natural Wonders, Exciting Experiences, and Fun Festivities from the four corners of the globe by Rachel Williams, art by Lucy Letherland

Middle Grade through High School

Atlas Obscura, Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid by Dylan Thuras & Rosemary Mosco, art by Joy Ang

National Geographic Student World Atlas by National Geographic

10 Routes that Crossed the World by Gillian Richardson, art by Kim Rosen

Geography Through Art by Sharon Jeffus & Jamie Aramini

When on Earth: History as You’ve Never Seen It Before by Margaret Parrish

“Enchantment of the World” Book Series

Faces: People, Places, and Cultures Magazine (available for checkout from several of our library branches) Back issues are also available through RBdigital

Adults

Tears of SalbyPietro Bartolo & Lidia Tilotta

A Hope More Powerful than the Sea by Melissa Fleming

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

There There by Tommy Orange

Rick Steves’ Travel as a Political Act by Rick Steves

National Geographic Magazine (available for checkout from several of our library branches)

Dig Deeper – other recommended resources

  • Read some fiction or nonfiction books written by authors of other races or ethnicities.
  • Get your hands on Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s Earth from Abovebooks(look in used book stores!). Each page contains awesome images, a map that shows where it is in the world, and a very detailed caption.
  • Follow George Steinmetz on Instagram @geosteinmetz
  • Follow Michael Yamashita on Instagram @yamashitaphoto
  • Follow UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency on Instagram @UNHCR

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