China:
The Great Race by Dawn Casey
Join the animals as they race to have the calendar years named after them. This lively story explains the Chinese Zodiac, and the back of the book contains additional information about the Chinese calendar, animal signs, and important Chinese holidays.
Join the animals as they race to have the calendar years named after them. This lively story explains the Chinese Zodiac, and the back of the book contains additional information about the Chinese calendar, animal signs, and important Chinese holidays.
Da Wei’s Treasure: A Chinese Tale by Margaret and Raymond Chang
A delightful folktale filled with magic and mystery about young Da Wei, who is left with only a large rock after his father dies. This rock reveals the magic it was promised though, and leads Da Wei on an adventure that lasts the whole of his life.
A delightful folktale filled with magic and mystery about young Da Wei, who is left with only a large rock after his father dies. This rock reveals the magic it was promised though, and leads Da Wei on an adventure that lasts the whole of his life.
Grandfather Counts by Andrea Cheng
This is a sweet story of a grandfather who comes from China to live with his family but who is dismayed to learn that his grandchildren do not speak Chinese, and of a granddaughter who is hesitant to interact with her grandfather who doesn't speak English. They slowly learn to communicate, starting one day by counting train cars in Chinese and then in English. This begins an enjoyable journey of discovery and learning, forging a lasting, loving bond between them.
This is a sweet story of a grandfather who comes from China to live with his family but who is dismayed to learn that his grandchildren do not speak Chinese, and of a granddaughter who is hesitant to interact with her grandfather who doesn't speak English. They slowly learn to communicate, starting one day by counting train cars in Chinese and then in English. This begins an enjoyable journey of discovery and learning, forging a lasting, loving bond between them.
Goldfish and Chrysanthemums by Andrea Cheng
A young girl gives a beautiful gift to her grandmother upon learning that her grandmother's childhood home, garden, and pond in China are being torn down. Nancy decides to create a pond in their backyard, placing the two goldfish that she won in it, and planting chrysanthemums around it. Such a sweet story of the love of family and the joy of thinking of others.
A young girl gives a beautiful gift to her grandmother upon learning that her grandmother's childhood home, garden, and pond in China are being torn down. Nancy decides to create a pond in their backyard, placing the two goldfish that she won in it, and planting chrysanthemums around it. Such a sweet story of the love of family and the joy of thinking of others.
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn
For Chinese New Year Sam is given an envelope of leisees, which he is allowed to spend however he chooses. He and his mother stroll through Chinatown, going in and out of shops, yet things are either not quite what he wants or are too expensive. Discouragement bent toward ungratefulness begins to creep in, but when he sees a homeless man who is barefooted, it stops. Realizing that his "meager" amount could buy a pair of warm socks, he joyfully gives the cold and grateful man his money.
For Chinese New Year Sam is given an envelope of leisees, which he is allowed to spend however he chooses. He and his mother stroll through Chinatown, going in and out of shops, yet things are either not quite what he wants or are too expensive. Discouragement bent toward ungratefulness begins to creep in, but when he sees a homeless man who is barefooted, it stops. Realizing that his "meager" amount could buy a pair of warm socks, he joyfully gives the cold and grateful man his money.
The Empty Pot and The Greatest Power by Demi
The king is looking for a predecessor and presents a challenge to the youth. Every child is given a seed, and whoever produces the most beautiful flowers will be chosen as the heir. When Ping's flower pot yields no flowers, he must decide whether to face the King empty-handed or to present something he did not himself grow. He makes the difficult choice of honesty, and the end of this story is better than we could hope it would be!
The king is looking for a predecessor and presents a challenge to the youth. Every child is given a seed, and whoever produces the most beautiful flowers will be chosen as the heir. When Ping's flower pot yields no flowers, he must decide whether to face the King empty-handed or to present something he did not himself grow. He makes the difficult choice of honesty, and the end of this story is better than we could hope it would be!
The Boy Who Painted Dragons, The Girl Who Drew a Phoenix, and other books by Demi
I have not read these books yet, but based on the other books by Demi that I've read, I don't have trouble recommending them! Demi is a brilliant artist, and her books fill much-needed places in our libraries.
I have not read these books yet, but based on the other books by Demi that I've read, I don't have trouble recommending them! Demi is a brilliant artist, and her books fill much-needed places in our libraries.
No, That's Wrong! by Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu
Red underpants are not to be worn on the head? Well, that's not what rabbit and the other animals think! This delightful book is reminiscent of both "Lizette's Green Sock" in content as well as "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" in format. (The reader has lines to read, interacting with the story.) Ji and Xu have created a humorous story that I'm guessing is set in China based on the illustration on the first page as well as that they both graduated from Renmin University in their native China.
Red underpants are not to be worn on the head? Well, that's not what rabbit and the other animals think! This delightful book is reminiscent of both "Lizette's Green Sock" in content as well as "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" in format. (The reader has lines to read, interacting with the story.) Ji and Xu have created a humorous story that I'm guessing is set in China based on the illustration on the first page as well as that they both graduated from Renmin University in their native China.
Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-li Jiang
This is a beautiful heart-felt story about the love of a young boy and his father, separated by distance when the boy's father was forced into a labor camp during China's Cultural Revolution, yet connected through a secret communication through a red and a blue kite.
This is a beautiful heart-felt story about the love of a young boy and his father, separated by distance when the boy's father was forced into a labor camp during China's Cultural Revolution, yet connected through a secret communication through a red and a blue kite.
We’re Riding on a Caravan: An Adventure on the Silk Road by Laurie Krebs
The reader is taken on a journey with a Chinese family throughout Asia as they travel along the Silk Road. The rhyming text makes this tale easily accessible for younger children, while the informational text in the back of the book about the Silk Road will satisfy the curiosity of the older reader.
The reader is taken on a journey with a Chinese family throughout Asia as they travel along the Silk Road. The rhyming text makes this tale easily accessible for younger children, while the informational text in the back of the book about the Silk Road will satisfy the curiosity of the older reader.
Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong and illustrated by Grace Lin - Lin is Chinese American
Round, square, and rectangular objects can be found all around! Although the rhyming is forced at times, it is enjoyable to read, and I appreciate the setting among this young Chinese American girl's home. There is a glossary in the back explaining giving more detail about a number of the Chinese objects mentioned in the story. Also check out Red is a Dragon: A Book of Colors!
Round, square, and rectangular objects can be found all around! Although the rhyming is forced at times, it is enjoyable to read, and I appreciate the setting among this young Chinese American girl's home. There is a glossary in the back explaining giving more detail about a number of the Chinese objects mentioned in the story. Also check out Red is a Dragon: A Book of Colors!
Dim Sum for Everyone, Kite Flying, and Fortune Cookie Fortunes by Grace Lin
Join a fun loving Chinese family as they eat dim sum for dinner, build and fly a kite together, and enjoy discovering the fortunes in their cookies after enjoying their meal at a Chinese restaurant in the stories above.
Join a fun loving Chinese family as they eat dim sum for dinner, build and fly a kite together, and enjoy discovering the fortunes in their cookies after enjoying their meal at a Chinese restaurant in the stories above.
Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
A Chinese American family is getting ready to celebrate two different festivals, one in each of the above books. Informational text in the back gives more details about these important cultural celebrations.
A Chinese American family is getting ready to celebrate two different festivals, one in each of the above books. Informational text in the back gives more details about these important cultural celebrations.
Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by Na Liu and Andres Vera Martinez
This book contains eight short stories based on the author's life growing up in China in the 1970s. The back matter of this graphic novel includes a glossary of Mandarin Chinese words, a timeline, and a map of China.
Recommended for ages 9-12.
This book contains eight short stories based on the author's life growing up in China in the 1970s. The back matter of this graphic novel includes a glossary of Mandarin Chinese words, a timeline, and a map of China.
Recommended for ages 9-12.
Henry’s First-Moon Birthday and Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding by Lenore Look
Jenny is helping her family get everything ready for her brother's one-month birthday celebration in Henry's First-Moon Birthday. We see Jenny and her family again as the wedding preparations take place for Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. Both stories give a glimpse into various Chinese/Chinese-American customs and traditions.
Jenny is helping her family get everything ready for her brother's one-month birthday celebration in Henry's First-Moon Birthday. We see Jenny and her family again as the wedding preparations take place for Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding. Both stories give a glimpse into various Chinese/Chinese-American customs and traditions.
The Dancing Dragon by Marcia Vaughan
A super fun fold-out book about a Chinese New Year celebration in New York's Chinatown! The rhyming text, bright illustrations, and extremely long fold out make this book a hit with the preschoolers!
A super fun fold-out book about a Chinese New Year celebration in New York's Chinatown! The rhyming text, bright illustrations, and extremely long fold out make this book a hit with the preschoolers!
Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale by Brenda Williams
This is a beautiful story of a little boy who is sent to buy things from the market for his family's moon festival celebration. If there is money left over, Lin Yi's mother said he could buy the rabbit lantern that he longs to have. As he bargains his way through the market, he soon realizes that the money is running low, and he has yet to obtain everything on his list. After contemplating whether or not to buy the lantern before the money runs out, he decides to put his family first, and somberly, resolutely, turns away from the lantern vendor. After
accepting his disappointment and buying everything he's supposed to, he comes home to find a surprise waiting for him! Additional
information about the moon festival, life in rural China, and a legend of the moon fairy can be found in the back of the book.
This is a beautiful story of a little boy who is sent to buy things from the market for his family's moon festival celebration. If there is money left over, Lin Yi's mother said he could buy the rabbit lantern that he longs to have. As he bargains his way through the market, he soon realizes that the money is running low, and he has yet to obtain everything on his list. After contemplating whether or not to buy the lantern before the money runs out, he decides to put his family first, and somberly, resolutely, turns away from the lantern vendor. After
accepting his disappointment and buying everything he's supposed to, he comes home to find a surprise waiting for him! Additional
information about the moon festival, life in rural China, and a legend of the moon fairy can be found in the back of the book.
My First Book of Chinese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book by Faye-Lynn Wu
Basic Mandarin Chinese words are presented in a simple yet satisfying rhyming format, written in traditional and simplified Chinese characters as well as in Pinyon. This is a wonderful introduction to the Chinese language and culture for young children.
Basic Mandarin Chinese words are presented in a simple yet satisfying rhyming format, written in traditional and simplified Chinese characters as well as in Pinyon. This is a wonderful introduction to the Chinese language and culture for young children.
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo
This is an inspiring true story about Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American movie star!
This is an inspiring true story about Anna May Wong, the first Chinese-American movie star!
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young - Young was born and raised in China
This version of the Red-Riding Hood tale is very well done, with three sisters sharing the main-character role. But this is a darker version than some, and the illustrations could be a bit scary for young children. I recommend this book for elementary-aged children. It stands alone as a good story, but it would also make a great comparison piece to the traditional Red-Riding Hood tale.
This version of the Red-Riding Hood tale is very well done, with three sisters sharing the main-character role. But this is a darker version than some, and the illustrations could be a bit scary for young children. I recommend this book for elementary-aged children. It stands alone as a good story, but it would also make a great comparison piece to the traditional Red-Riding Hood tale.
