Our intention is to acquire and make available ALL picture books featuring indigenous people and people of color published in the U.S. since 2002, including reprints. Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL recommendation. See our related readings page for suggested links for evaluating books.
The cricket warrior
In order to save his family, a Chinese boy turns into a fighting cricket and becomes the emperor's champion
Grandma Panda’s China storybook
To the delight of her grandchildren, Grandma Panda relates Chinese legends, including the tales of Mulan the woman warrior and Luban the inventor of the kite
Home for Chinese New Year =
The Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions. This Chinese children's story tells a delightful trip with lots of cultural details along the way! Jia Jun's Dad worked out of town all year around. Now it's time for him to come home. He took a train, bus, three-wheeled motorcycle, ferry-boat and even walked for many miles. He finally made it home and had a reunion dinner with his family on New Year's Eve. On his trip, as Jia Jun's Dad was rushing to get home, he lost his apple, water, gloves and scarf, but he took very good care of his gift for his son. During the holiday season, Jia Jun was extremely happy as he was with his Dad all the time. They set off firecrackers, put up couplets and even made snowmen. In a few days, Dad was ready to head back to work, but it was certain that Dad would be home again next year to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his family
The bronze dog
This beautifully illustrated multicultural children's book tells the story of two young brothers and a magical dog in both English and Chinese
I have a little lantern =
The little girl left for school at dawn. On her way to school, she met a little spider, a little squirrel, a little hedgehog and a little panda. They were all afraid of the darkness and wondering if monsters were hiding in every corner. Only the little girl was not scared, because she had a little magic lantern. They held hand-in-hand so that nobody would be scared.
I can eat with chopsticks =
When Little Mo picks up a small bamboo stick from the bamboo forest, she has no idea that it will eventually lead to one of China's most significant inventions. In this children's story the stick comes to life to help in the kitchen. The little bamboo stick helps Mom pick out vegetables from a bowl of hot soup, helps Little Mo to eat the remaining rice in her bowl, and helps Dad to stir eggs. The stick soon learns it has limitations, unable to easily pick up noodles from a bowl. Little Mo quickly solves this problem by finding another bamboo stick to join the team. As a duo, the stocks can cut buns in half and pick up pork dumplings without any difficulty. Her dad then gives them the name "chopsticks" and improves upon their design
Wángzĭ hé tā de cí bēi =
It tells the tale of a little emperor who learned to appreciate the fine art of porcelain while recreating his mother's favorite cup. Porcelain evolved in China over 1200 years ago, and this book explains how it's made and its importance in Chinese history. Written in English and Chinese, this beautiful story follows the young emperor's journey from being ousted from the palace to his time in a ceramics workshop and to his victorious return to the palace as emperor.
The Great Race
Celebrate Chinese New Year and learn how every animal earned its place in the Chinese zodiac by taking part in the Great Race! Discover who will come first to win the ultimate prize, and find out why Cat will never forgive his friend Rat in this ancient folk tale that has been passed from generation to generation.
Dragon dancer
"It is the eve of Chinese New Year! Lanterns are hung in the shopping malls and Yao is preparing to wake the ancient sky dragon, Shen Long, from his year-long sleep. Soon Yao will be propelled on a magical journey to battle the bad luck of the previous year and usher in the good. Will he succeed? Will his grandfather watch over him and protect him from harm?"--Back cover
Hu Wan and the sleeping dragon
In 1572 Beijing, when a nine-year-old boy is named Emperor of China, Hu Wan offers the gift of a cricket cage carved from a gourd he and his grandfather grew.