Nursery World - Resources (9)

* NES Arnold offers plastic fruit that is realistic and strong. There is a range of fruits, from the traditional to the exotic. The fruits mentioned in the story are all available from this source. (Mini fruit pack, 16.95; Tropical selection pack, 16.95; Fruit pack, Pounds 11.50.) * Mantra Publishing Ltd (020 8445 5123; www.mantralingua.com) produces a stunning multi-language fruit frieze (30cm x 160cm approx, 8.99 plus VAT) and a wild animal frieze (40cm x 185cm, 8.99 plus VAT). Each time, the English word for a fruit is given alongside the script and phonetic pronunciation of the word in another language. For example, on the fruit frieze the starfruit is given its Portuguese name, the strawberry its Welsh name and the water melon its Bengali name. These friezes are especially useful in a monocultural setting to increase the children's interest in other languages and scripts.

* Mantra Publishing Ltd (020 8445 5123; www.mantralingua.com)produces a stunning multi-language fruit frieze (30cm x 160cm approx, 8.99 plus VAT) and a wild animal frieze (40cm x 185cm, 8.99 plus VAT). Each time, the English word for a fruit is given alongside the script and phonetic pronunciation of the word in another language. For example, on the fruit frieze the starfruit is given its Portuguese name, the strawberry its Welsh name and the water melon its Bengali name. These friezes are especially useful in a monocultural setting to increase the children's interest in other languages and scripts.

* The Early Learning Centre produces good-quality model animals, including those from Africa and Asia, that make useful props for stories from around the world. Animals cost 1 or 2 each and a safari tube of smaller figures costs 5.

* Carrying by Gwenyth Swain (Small World series, Milet Publishing, 5.99) has beautifully drawn pictures of people carrying all sorts of things. Available in dual language format of English with Arabic, Chinese, French, Gujarati, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu or Vietnamese. One picture of someone carrying a pot on their head would fit in well with Handa's Surprise.