The Most Wonderful Gift cassette recording by Diane Michaels of Green Valley Music is a collection of six stories from all over the world. The narration is accompanied by authentic ethnic instruments, including the Aboriginal didgeridoo, all performed by Diane. A delightful gift for all children.
Diane first developed this project as a result of her work in the Reedsburg School District, bringing multicultural stories to children. She collects instruments from all over the world, and they provide a wonderful background for the narration. Stories include: Ko Kongele - from Zaire, Africa Lighting the Way - from the Northern Territory of Australia The Most Wonder Gift - from Turkey The Three Billy Goats Gruff - The classic tail from Norway Aayoga with Many Excuses - From the far eastern region of Russia The Gentle People - from Patagonia, the southernmost region of Argentina
Performer’s note: Although I have not had the opportunity to travel to the countries where these stories originated, it is my sincere hope that I have represented the people and their cultures respectfully, and in such a way that they would find kinship. I trusted the guidance of some of their native instruments to help me find their voices and spirits. The stories have been adapted from their original form for recording purposes.