Recommended Books

Dragonwings

Newbery Honor Book Dragonwings by Lawrence Yep takes readers on an adventure-filled journey across the world.

Inspired by the story of a Chinese immigrant who created a flying machine in 1909, Dragonwings touches on the struggles and dreams of Chinese immigrants navigating opportunity and prejudice in San Francisco.

Moon Shadow only knows two things about his father, Windrider: he lives in San Francisco and used to craft beautiful kites.

One day shortly after his eighth birthday, Cousin Hand Clap arrives with a letter from Windrider asking Moon Shadow to join him in San Francisco. When Moon Rider arrives in America he learns that his father makes a living doing laundry and dreams of building a flying machine just like the Wright Brothers. But making this fantastical dream a reality proves to be no easy task, as intolerance, poverty, and even an earthquake stand in their way.

China Homecoming

The author returns to China, to relive her memories of her youth and to witness the many historical and social changes that have taken place since she left the country in 1928.

Carving the Buddha & Hou Yi Learns Archery (Chinese Storybook Series #1)

Traditional Chinese stories for children.

The Year of the Panda

Daxiong mao is rare and mysterious, like a god, living in the midst of the mountains.

Strange things are happening on Lu Yi’s farm. First, some men from the Chinese government ask Lu Yi’s father to sell the property that has belonged to the family for generations. Then a giant panda appears in a neighbor’s field, A rare occurrence, given the farm’s distance from the high-mountain bamboo forests that pandas inhabit.Lu Yi has a feeling that the two mysteries are somehow connected. And before long, an orphaned baby panda he finds in the’ woods provides an answer. As the boy nurses the helpless animal back to health, he begins an adventure that may, well change his entire future.

Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze

When Young Fu arrives with his mother in bustling 1920s Chungking, all he has seen of the world is the rural farming village where he has grown up. He knows nothing of city life. But the city, with its wonders and dangers, fascinates the 13-year-old boy, and he sets out to make the best of what it has to offer him.
First published in 1932, Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze was one of the earliest Newbery Medal winners. Although China has changed since that time, Young Fu’s experiences are universal: making friends, making mistakes, and making one’s way in the world.

Maples in the Mist: Poems for Children from the Tang Dynasty

A collection of short poems written over 1000 years ago by such poets of the Tang Dynasty as Li Po, Yin Luan, and Du Mu

Laozi

Laozi tells laborers from community level live happy lives through their diligence and wisdom. Parents can tell stories to children with the help of intriguing pictures and easy-to-understand sentences, from which children can be more attentive and imaginative with accumulation of a larger vocabulary and knowledge.

My First Revolution (Signature Books)

In the summer of 1948, Winthrop Knowlton and his friend, James C. Thomson, Jr., just graduated from prep school, set out for China.

During the next nine months they would travel throughout revolution-torn China as Mao Tse-tung’s Communist forces moved ever southward fighting Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist armies in their retreat to Formosa. Separated by the war, they rejoined in South China and continued their journey — their revolution around the world — by freighter to a Europe still reeling from World War II, and across the Atlantic back home.

Knowlton’s memoir tells a magnificent story of that remarkable time. The story closes with Knowlton’s return to China in 1979 at the head of an American publishing delegation, a retrospective look at the events of 1948-49 giving the book still another historical and human dimension.

Lady of Ch'iao Kuo: Warrior of the South, Southern China, A.D. 531 (The Royal Diaries)

The Royal Diaries proudly presents two-time Newbery Honor author Laurence Yep, whose stunning diary of sixteen-year-old Lady of Ch¹iao Kuo takes readers on a remarkable adventure to Southern China in the sixth century A.D., where Ch¹iao Kuo, a born leader called Red Bird, is courageous and keenly intelligent.

A Thousand Peaks : Poems from China

A collection of thirty-five poems spanning nineteen centuries, representing both famous and lesser-known poets, including both the Chinese text and a literal translation.

Tales of a Chinese Grandmother: 30 Traditional Tales from China

This illustrated multicultural children’s book presents classic Chinese fairy tales and other folk stories—providing a delightful look into a rich literary culture.

Chinese folklore tradition is as colorful and captivating as any in the world, but the stories themselves still are not as well-known to Western readers as those from The Brothers Grimm, Mother Goose, or Hans Christian Andersen.

Tales of a Chinese Grandmother, written by Frances Carpenter, presents a collection of 30 authentic Chinese folktales. These classic stories represent the best of the Chinese folk tradition and are told here by the character Lao Lao, the beloved grandmother of the nineteenth-century Ling household. A sampling from a long and proud tradition, these Chinese folktales are sure to delight adults as well as children of all ages.

Chinese children’s stories include:

• How Pan Ku Made the World
• The God that Lived in the Kitchen
• The Daughter of the Dragon King
• The Grateful Fox Fairy
• The King of the Monkeys
• The Wonderful Pear Tree
• Ko-Ai’s Lost Shoe
• Heng O, the Moon Lady
• The Old Old One’s Birthday

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China

Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the history of the great Chinese empire and the customs and traditions of its people. Stunning real-life photographs and lifelike models offer a unique “eyewitness” view of life in imperial China, from its earliest beginnings in the Bronze Age to its final days in the early years of the 20th century. See the stunning bronze work of the ancient Chinese, an early irrigation machine, a set of antique acupuncture needles, the beautiful implements used for Chinese calligraphy. Learn why the First Emperor created the Terracotta Army, what kinds of goods were carried along the Silk Route, who invented paper, how a Chinese house was constructed, why tombs were filled with pottery figures, and what a civil servant’s job entailed. Discover why emperors were known as Sons of Heaven, what kinds of weapons were used in early battles, why families worshiped their ancestors, how fishermen used bivas to catch fish, and much, much more.

The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures.

The Story of Kites: Amazing Chinese Inventions

Lord of the Cranes

In an uplifting folktale of virtue rewarded, Tian, the Lord of the Cranes, comes down from his home in the clouds to test the people, but when only Wang the innkeeper passes the test, Tian rewards him with a gift that brings him fame and fortune. Reprint.

Cloud Weavers: Ancient Chinese Legends

Presents legends and tales from China, including ancient folktales, stories that reflect Chinese traditions and virtues, historical tales, and selections from literature.

The Story of Chopsticks

When little K·ai Kang cannot get enough to eat, he begins using sticks to grab food too hot for the hands, and soon all of China uses K·ai zi, or chopsticks, in a humorous tale of how chopsticks may have been invented.

Warlord's Puppeteers, The (Warlord's Series)

Chuan helps readers learn about ratios to craft puppets.

A Musical Journey: From the Great Wall of China to the Water Towns of Jiangnan

This ABA autumn 2004 Book Sense Children’s Pick presents vibrantly illustrated fun facts about China’s multicultural land, people, and way of life in an enjoyable and educational experience for the whole family. The accompanying CD includes twelve lively and delightful musical selections representing each of the highlighted regions.

The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven

The ALA Notable author of Red Scarf Girl presents traditional tales about the Monkey King, the irrepressible trickster hero of Chinese legend. Embellished with Hui Hui Su-Kennedy’s charming black-and-white illustrations, these hilarious stories bring the Monkey King and his friends to life.

Shanghai Messenger

You are my messenger. Look everything. Remember. Grandma Nai Nai tells eleven-year-old Xiao Mei as the girl heads off to Shanghai, China, to visit their extended family. Xiao Mei is both excited and apprehensive. She will meet many new relatives, but will they accept her, a girl from America who is only half Chinese? Xiao Mei is eagerly embraced by her aunties, uncles and cousins and quickly immersed in the sights, smells and hubbub of daily living in Shanghai. At first battling homesickness, Xiao Mei soon ventures on her own, discovering the excitement of a different way of life and a new appreciation of her Chinese heritage. When it is finally time to leave, Xiao Mei must gather up her memories and bring a little bit of China; back home. Ed Young’s exquisite drawings touchingly highlight Andrea Cheng’s lyrical story of adventure, self-discovery, and the strong bonds that tie families together.

The Great Voyages of Zheng He

Decades before the voyages of Columbus, Vasco da Gama and Magellan, Zheng He led seven major expeditions that extended the cultural and economic reach of the Chinese empire and helped China become a political superpower. Written and illustrated by Song Nan Zhang who co-authored the English text with his son, The Great Voyages of Zheng He highlights tells the story of a man who faced many obstacles to become advisor to an emperor and admiral of the greatest navy the world had ever seen.

300 Tang Poems: Bilingual Edition, English and Chinese

This bilingual edition of 300 Tang Poems features both English and Chinese side by side for easy reference and bilingual support. The poems are numbered and organized for easy reading and access. Tang poetry refers to poetry written in or around the time of or in the characteristic style of China’s Tang dynasty, 618 – 907, and follows a certain style, often considered as the Golden Age of Chinese poetry. During the Tang Dynasty, poetry continued to be an important part of social life at all levels of society. Scholars were required to master poetry for the civil service exams, but the art was theoretically available to everyone. This led to a large record of poetry and poets, a partial record of which survives today. Two of the most famous poets of the period were Du Fu and Li Bai. This classic collection of 300 Tang Poems features the English translation of Witter Bynner, reprinted with the generous permission from The Witter Bynner Foundation for Poetry. For more information, please visit www.bynnerfoundation.org.

Terra-Cotta Soldiers: Army Of Stone (High Interest Books: Digging Up The Past)

Describes the archaeological discovery of thousands of life-sized terracotta warrior statues in northern China in 1974, and discusses the emperor who had them created and placed near his tomb.

Adventures of the Treasure Fleet: China Discovers the World

Join the Chinese admiral and his crew as they battle pirates and raging storms in this beautifully illustrated Chinese history book for kids.

Did you know that 85 years before Columbus discovered America, Chinese ships longer than a football field sailed thousands of miles through unknown oceans and visited more than 30 nations? It’s true!

Adventures of the Treasure Fleet: China Discovers that World is the amazing story of these seven epic voyages and their larger-than-life commander, Admiral Zheng He. Beginning in 1405, Admiral Zheng He led more than 300 gigantic, brightly-painted ships across the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean and all the way to the distant coast of Africa. The admiral and his crew battled pirates and raging storms and were amazed by the people and ways of life in distant lands. At each port, Chinese goods were traded for pearls, precious stones, herbs and medicines which were given as tribute to China’s powerful emperor when the ships’ returned home.

Filled with historical facts, Adventures of the Treasure Fleet brings a fantastic piece of history to life. Gracefully told and beautifully illustrated, the story’s fast pace will keep young ones captivated while offering enough information to satisfy curious readers of all ages.

Su Dongpo: Chinese Genius by Demi (2006-09-01)

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Dancing to Freedom: The True Story of Mao's Last Dancer

In a poor village in northern China, a small boy named Li Cunxin was given the chance of a lifetime. Selected by Chairman Mao’s officials from among millions of children to become a dancer, Li’s new life began as he left his family behind.

At the Beijing Dance Academy, days were long and difficult. Li’s hard work was rewarded when he was chosen yet again, this time to travel to America.

From there his career took flight, and he danced in cities around the world―never forgetting his family, who urged him to follow his dreams.

The Dragon's Child: A Story of Angel Island

Did you want to go to America?
Pop: Sure. I didn’t have a choice. My father said I had to go. So I went.
Were you sad when you left your village?
Pop: Maybe a little . . . well, maybe a lot.

Ten-year-old Gim Lew Yep knows that he must leave his home in China and travel to America with the father who is a stranger to him. Gim Lew doesn’t want to leave behind everything that he’s ever known. But he is even more scared of disappointing his father. He uses his left hand, rather than the “correct” right hand; he stutters; and most of all, he worries about not passing the strict immigration test administered at Angel Island.

The Dragon’s Child is a touching portrait of a father and son and their unforgettable journey from China to the land of the Golden Mountain. It is based on actual conversations between two-time Newbery Honor author Laurence Yep and his father and on research on his family’s immigration history by his niece, Dr. Kathleen Yep.

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing

A sensitively written, real-life story about a boy called Little Leap Forward, growing up in the hutongs of Beijing in the 1960’s, at the time of the Cultural Revolution. Little Leap offers children an intimate and immediate account of a child’s experiences as Mao Tse Tung’s Great Leap Forward policy tightens its grip on China.

Moonbeam Awards Gold Medal Winner 2008, NAPRA Nautilus Award Winner 2010

Stories of Scientists in Ancient China

These series include Distinguished Doctors of Ancient China, Architecture of Ancient China, Stories of Scientists in Ancient China, and Four Inventions in Ancient China. These picture-story books tell readers the splendid science culture in ancient China.

Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities (For Kids series)

Wild Grapes Masterpieces of Chinese Children's Literature

The parentless Bai E girl herded geese for her aunt and wanted to go home to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival, but her aunt blinded her eyes by rubbing sand into her eyes. Then she found the wild grapes in the deep mountains after surmounting various kinds of difficulties and regained her sight. She brought the wild grapes to many blid people and helped them walk out of darkness and see the bright world again.

The Great Wall: The story of 4,000 miles of earth and stone that turned a nation into a fortress (Wonders of the World Book)

Imagine a wall 30 feet high, a wall thousands of miles long, a wall that crossed deserts and climbed over impossibly jagged peaks, a wall that contained thousands of individual forts and towers, a wall that was guarded by over a million soldiers, a wall that took 200 years to build.

Now imagine the enemy that this wall was built to defend against.

The Mongols were nomadic warriors of legendary skill and savagery. Their empire encompassed most of the known world, from southern Asia to northern Europe, from the Middle East to the Sea of Japan. Now the fierce and unstoppable horsemen were bearing down on China. For the Chinese, there seemed only one solution: to turn their country into a vast fortress.

The Great Wall chronicles a people’s struggle for absolute security in a violent and dangerous world. It is a story of astonishing success and ultimate failure, of ingenuity, determination, the will to survive and, in the end, futility.

Wonders of the World series

The winner of numerous awards, this series is renowned for Elizabeth Mann’s ability to convey adventure and excitement while revealing technical information in engaging and easily understood language. The illustrations are lavishly realistic and accurate in detail but do not ignore the human element. Outstanding in the genre, these books are sure to bring even the most indifferent young reader into the worlds of history, geography, and architecture.

Why Snails Have Shells: Minority and Han Folktales from China (A Kolowalu Book)

The twenty stories that comprise this collection reflect some of the ethnic diversity of China. Through a cast of familiar animals we get a glimpse of the cultures from which the stories emanate, and we see that the world is interconnected and the planet quite small. The tales show that our similarities are much greater than our differences. Besides their literary value, these tales convey moral instruction.
The second part of the book gives background information about the nationalities from which the tales have been selected. Carolyn Han describes the geographical area each group occupies and its social life and customs.
Each tale is enhanced with an illustration by Li Ji, an artist and lecturer at Yunnan Art Institute of Kunming, China. He brings to this volume his first-hand knowledge of minority peoples and a deep understanding and love for animals and the environment.

Ten Mile Day: And the Building of the Transcontinental Railroad

On May 10, 1869, the final spike in North America’s first transcontinental railroad was driven home at Promontory Summit, Utah. Illustrated with the author’s carefully researched, evocative paintings, here is a great adventure story in the history of the American West–the day Charles Crocker staked $10,000 on the crews’ ability to lay a world record ten miles of track in a single, Ten Mile Day.

Long Is a Dragon: Chinese Writing for Children

Explains how Chinese writing developed and demonstrates how to write seventy-five Chinese characters, using detailed instructions and examples.

The Rooster's Horns: A Chinese Puppet Play to Make and Perform (UNICEF Storycraft Book)

Presents the plot of a Chinese puppet play and includes directions for making shadow puppets and a theatre.