Grandfather Tang's Story by Ann Tompert. This book should be
read by a 4-5 year old with a set of tangrams (Chinese puzzle blocks).
The book tells folk tales of many animals. Kids then make the shape of
the animal with the tangrams -an early mathematics skill. Chinese Girl
and Boy Paper Dolls by Barbara Steadman. Beautiful paper dolls for children
of about age 8. Great to give to young relatives who are learning about
Chinese culture. Sesame Street's Chinese Dictionary. Good for vocabulary
building. Tye Mei and the Magic Brush by Molly Garrett Bang. Good folk
tale with a Chinese girl as the central character. The Cricket Warrior
by Margaret and Raymond Chang. Good folk tale. The Chinese Siamese Cat
by Amy Tan. Good story with a noble ending. Good illustrations - especially
good story for a family that has cats. Wordy. Better read by a 6-7 year
old. Tales of A Chinese Grandmother by Frances Carpenter. Book is for
adults or teenagers. Interesting folklore stories.
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Book Reviews |
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The ratings (e.g.,  )
come from customer reviews of the book at Amazon.com.
If you've read a particular selection and would like to review
it for us, please let us know. Include your name, the book
title and author, and your review. Yes,
I want to review a book.
For other reviews of children's books, visit the University of North Texas' review site where you can search for a book by title or author.
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Here's our recommendations for children's books on China. To purchase
an item, just click on the title you're interested in. You'll go directly
to the Amazon.com site where you'll find pricing information, a more-detailed
description of the book, and reviews. Follow their instructions for
adding a selection to your shopping cart, and further ordering information.
Chinese Culture (Coming Soon!)
Children's Books
Children's Books on Adoption from China
Adoption from China
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| CHILDREN |
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Tales from within the Clouds: Nakhi Stories of China
Carolyn Han, Ji Li (Illustrator)
/ Hardcover / Published 1997
Beautiful illustrations - a work of art. Some folktales of China can be a
little brutal/harsh in nature.
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Happy New Year: Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'Ai!
Demi
/ Library Binding / Published 1998
Great Artwork all about Chinese New Year preparation
and festivities. Young children like the artwork and activities presented.
Also available in paperback.
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The Empty Pot
Demi / Hardcover / Published 1990
Great folktale with a noble ending. Beautiful
illustrations.
Also available in library binding and paperback.
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Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China
Ai-Ling Louie, Ed Young (Illustrator)
/ Hardcover / Published 1982
This is more appropriate for
older children. It's a bit blunt in the story.
From an Amazon.com reader: "This is the oldest known version of Cinderella. It dates back to 9BC China. Having taught a unit on the history of Cinderella to my class every year around Holiday time, I'm pleased to finally have a copy of the book -- the copy from the Minneapolis Public Library is missing -- because it teaches children that not every version is about pumpkin coaches and glass slippers. Beautifully illustrated by Ed Young, the theme of the fish/fairy godmother character plays throughout the book.
"Enjoy this version, along with Shirley Chimo's Egyptian and Korean Cinderellas, The Turkey Girl, The Rough Face Girl, Sootface, and of course, the old classic versions.
This book is an excellent addition to your multicultural children's collection!"
Also available in paperback.
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Red Eggs and Dragon Boats: Celebrating Chinese Festivals
Carol Stepenchuck / Hardcover / Published
1994
Good book with folk art
illustrations. This book describes celebrations throughout the year in
China. Recipes for some foods that kids could make are included.
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Emma's Rug
Allen Say / Hardcover / Published 1996
Ages 4-8
An unusual story about an Asian girl who has a
special rug/blanket.
From Booklist: "From infancy, Emma has loved her rug. She carries it everywhere, and she stares at the rug for hours. Her parents don't get it ("What do you see in that fuzzy thing?"). When Emma begins to draw and paint, she amazes everyone. At school, she wins medals for her art, even a city prize presented to her by the mayor. Emma is impervious to the celebrity hype. In answer to the inevitable question, "Where do you get your ideas?" she is cryptic, "I just copy." Say's exquisite watercolors show a small Japanese American child, solitary and independent. Then disaster strikes: in the gray, efficient basement, Mother dumps the "dirty" rug in the washing-machine. All of Emma's quiet explodes in a picture of violent anguish: hair streaming, fingers clutching, mouth shrieking. She gives up, dumps all the art stuff--until one day she glimpses something wild and beautiful on the wall of her room, and as she rushes outside, she sees that she is part of Monet's glorious garden, with all her imaginary creatures around her. She starts to draw again. This is a departure from the usual story about a lost security blanket or teddy bear. Kids might like to hear it with Anthony Browne's Willy the Wizard, about a sports star's "magical" boots. Say gives Emma respect. Every outsider will feel her lonely concentration and her strength."
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Goose
Molly
Bang / Hardcover / Published 1996
A baby goose adopted by woodchucks learns about self esteem
and differences.
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Over
the Moon: An Adoption Tale
Karen
Katz / Hardcover / Published 1997
A favorite of children from 3 to 7. A magical journey to meet
their adopted child and the thrilling homecoming.
Good book about how a mom and
dad are waiting to hear about their baby. Then there is a description of
flying to get their baby and become a family.
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A
Mother for Choco
Keiko
Kasza / School & Library Binding/ Published 1992
Is it important to look like your adopted family? Choco becomes
a member of Mrs. Bear family--joining the little pig, hippo,
and alligator already in her affectionate brood. Highly recommended!
Good book for young children about looking different from their parents.
Also available in
paperback.
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Real
Sisters
Usually ships in 24 hours
Susan Wright, Bo-Kim Louie (Illustrator) / Paperback / Published
1995
From Midwest Book Review: What is a "real" sister, anyway?
This is the question seven-year-old Claire must answer for herself.
Claire is adopted, and when she switches schools, classmates
in the schoolyard wonder why she and her older sister Jenny
look so different. They tease her, saying that Jenny is not
her "real" sister. But when Claire thinks about the things that
she and Jenny have done together, she knows they are all things
real sisters do. In the end, Claire and Jenny confront the problem
together -- just like real sisters. Here is a heartwarming and
realistic story about what it means to be sisters. Ideal for
ages 4-8, with full color illustrations throughout.
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Happy
Adoption Day
John McCutcheon, Julie Paschkis (Illustrator)
/ Hardcover / Published 1996
Ages 2-6
From Kirkus Reviews: McCutcheon pens a happy, easily
sung song for the day a long-awaited child joins an adoptive
family and ``a family was born,'' including musical notation
so everybody can sing along. Paschkis's bright illustrations
borrow from folk art to lend vibrancy to the celebratory mood
of a book that clearly, straightforwardly, and lovingly answers
a need for families built by adoption.
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We're Different, We're the Same (Sesame Street Picturebacks)
Bobbi Jane Kates, Joe Mathieu (Illustrator) / Paperback / Published 1992
Good book for young kids
about all kinds of differences.
Also available in hardcover.
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The New Baby
Mercer Mayer / Hardcover / Published 1985
Another good book for young children to
prepare siblings.
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Adopted and Loved Forever
Annetta E. Dellinger, Patricia Mattozzi (Illustrator) / Harcover / Published 1987
Book is from a Christian
perspective. Also cites bible verses. A bit wordy for young children. (Book cover recommends ages 4-7)
A little dated...for instance, it uses the term "natural" parents rather than "birth" parents.
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When
You Were Born in China: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from
China
Sara
Dorrow / Hardcover / Published 1997
Ages 9-12
Black and white book that describes how children are available for adoption and adopted by parents from another country. More than 100 photographs and carefully worded text of why adoption
plans are made for Chinese children.
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| ADOPTION FROM CHINA |
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When
You Were Born in China: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from
China
Sara
Dorrow / Hardcover / Published 1997
Ages 9-12
More than 100 photographs and carefully worded text of why adoption
plans are made for Chinese children.
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Carolyn's
Story: A Book About an Adopted Girl
Perry Schwartz / Library Binding / Published
1996
Ages 9-14
From the author: "My nine-year old daughter, Carolyn, and
I collaborated on a book about her thoughts and feelings about
being adopted from Honduras as a baby. We are sure you will
find it a welcome resource for both adoptive families and prospective
adoptive parents."
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How
It Feels to Be Adopted
Jill Krementz / Paperback / Published 1988
Ages grade-school to adult
19 boys and girls, from age 8 - 16 and from every social background,
confide their feelings about this crucial fact
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