Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public. *Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.* Click here for more on book evaluation.
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Nian, The Chinese New Year Dragon
"A young girl takes action when a dragon threatens her village in this retelling of the Nian legend, which explains why the Chinese New Year is celebrated for fifteen days. 2020 EUREKA Excellence in Nonfiction Awards - Gold Winner 2020 Feather Quill Reviewer's Choice Award. Mei hates springtime. Why? Because it's only in the spring that Nian, a fierce dragon, is able to leave his mountain prison under the sea to terrorize the local village. When the villagers hear the rumblings of Nian's hungry stomach, they know that winter has ended and spring is coming. But this year on the night before the first day of spring, a magical warrior visits Mei in her dreams. He tells Mei that it is her destiny to face and defeat Nian. But she must do it within 15 days or the dragon will be free forever. Author Virginia Loh-Hagan (PoPo's Lucky Chinese New Year) gives this retelling of the Nian legend an original twist, while explaining the origins of Chinese New Year traditions." -- publisher
The runaway wok
On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty--but magic--wok that changes their fortunes forever. Includes information about Chinese New Year and a recipe for fried rice
A New Year’s reunion
Little Maomao's father works in faraway places and comes home just once a year, for Chinese New Year. At first Maomao barely recognizes him, but before long the family is happily making sticky rice balls, listening to firecrackers, and watching the dragon dance in the streets below. Papa gets a haircut, makes repairs to the house, and hides a lucky coin for Maomao to find. Which she does! But all too soon it is time for Papa to go away again
Grandma and the Rooster
"It’s Chinese New Year and Grandma has a special present for her family: a rooster to make into delicious soup! But when her granddaughter, Xiaoyue, meets the rooster, she begs to keep him as a pet. Together, Grandma and Xiaoyue take the rooster on a journey through the city to ring in the New Year." -- publisher
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. A lyrical story of adventure, self-discovery, and the strong bonds that tie families together. ~Publisher
The Musician
"In ancient China, a young musician named Yu Boya gained fame for his talents. On the night of the Moon Festival, he encounters a mysterious woodcutter who is also a musician and admires Boya’s most famous song: Lofty Mountains and Flowing Water. Their friendship deepens and Boya vows to play the song for his new friend every year on the festival night. But the next year, upon hearing of his friend’s death, Boya smashes his instrument and never plays again. To this day, the word for “close friendship” means 'understanding the music.'" -- publisher
The pet dragon
When Lin's beloved pet dragon disappears, she searches for him far and wide until a witch helps her to reach the dragon's new home. Introduces a different Chinese character on each step of Lin's adventure
A Journey in Our Family’s Chinese Garden
"Join one family's journey as they design and build an authentic Chinese garden in their backyard! Papa seems to have a grand plan for the backyard. Day by day, he transforms the little space—building walls, a pond, and a gazebo with his own two hands. Everyone's favorite addition to the new garden is the colorful carp. Each member of the family releases one into the fresh pond, hoping it will bring them good luck. This bilingual children's book tells a simple, but sweet story about a man, his dream, and his very happy family. Written in both English and Chinese, kids can follow along as a family brings all the world's great mountains and rivers to their own backyard." -- publisher
Bamboo
When Bamboo, a young Chinese farmer, finds himself beset by poverty and travels to the New World to find fortune, his sister-in-law, Jin, makes life difficult for his wife, Ming, until magic intervenes
The Peace Bell
Yuko's grandmother tells about how the bell in their town that would ring on New Year's Eve is given up during the war for scrap metal, finds its way back to their village, and becomes known as the Peace Bell