Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
Elementary/ Middle Level
Eastern Asia
Korea
A Single Shard. Linda Sue Park. Gr. 4-8
Set in 12th century Korea, this is the story of Tree-ear who lives under a bridge with his disabled older
friend Crane-man. Tree-ear becomes fascinated with the potter's craft and longs to create celadon ceramics.
However pottery is a trade passed on from father to son and Tree-ear is an orphan. He works long and hard
hoping to become an apprentice.
Lesson Plan Ideas using this book:
http://eduscapes.com/newbery/02a.htm
So Far from the Bamboo Grove. Yoko Kawashawa Watkins
This riveting novel, based on the author's own experiences, describes a Japanese family forced to flee their
home in Korea at the end of WW II.
Seesaw Girl. Linda Sue Park Gr. 3-7
From Publishers Weekly
This first novel set in 17th-century Korea centers on 12-year-old Jade Blossom, daughter of one of the
king's advisers. With all the temerity of a 1990s girl, Jade plays tricks on her brother (with the help of her
cousin Willow), and her yearning to see the world outside of her family's walled household ultimately leads
her into trouble. She conceals herself in a basket on market day and catches her first glimpse of the
mountains as well as a group of imprisoned Dutch sailors, whom she describes as wearing what looks like
"yellow or brown sheep's wool on their cheeks and chins." Park manages to get across many of society's
restrictions on girls and women, but often relies on telling rather than showing. For example, Jade says how
much her view of the mountains affects her, yet she never describes what it is about the vista that moves
her. Readers gain little insight into Jade's relationship with other members of her household or her daily
routine. Though the novel glosses over the meaning of the Dutch sailors' appearance, a closing author's note
helps to put it into context. Fortunately, Jean and Mou-sien Tseng's animated black-and-white drawings fill
in many details missing in the text concerning dress and setting
Bee-bim Bop! Linda Sue Park Gr. K-3
From School Library Journal
Park introduces preschoolers to the culinary culture of Korea. Playful, cartoonlike drawings portray a
round-faced girl helping her mother shop and prepare a delicious meal in the kitchen. The illustrations, set
against a white background, are very appealing. Each spread presents a detailed and busy kitchen scene
enhancing the rhyming text. The name of the dish is delightful, and children will want to chime in on
Hungry hungry hungry/for some BEE-BIM BOP! and variations on the catchy refrain. The verses contain
many of the preparation steps and ingredients and some readers may have difficulty keeping the rhythm,
but with a bit of practice, the rhyme works well. A recipe follows the story and in the author's note, Park
explains that bee-bim bop means mix-mix rice. A fine addition to any collection, this book is a terrific way
to introduce Korean culture to young children
Korean Children's Favorite Stories. Kim So-un
Land of Morning Calm: Korean Culture Then and Now. John Stickler
The Kite Fighters. Linda Sue Park Gr. 4-8
Tradition and family loyalty come into question in this book by the recently named Newbery Medalist, set
in Seoul, Korea, in 1473. Two brothers anticipate the annual New Year's Kite competition, wondering how
to balance convention and love for one's talent.
The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon by Janie Jaehyun Park, (Korea)
The Green Frogs: A Korean Folktale . Yumi Heo
Hello From Korea. Jeannie and Edward Park
Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
China
Mahjong All Day Long. Ginnie Lo
One is a Drummer: A Book of Numbers. Roseanne Thong
A young girl numbers her discoveries in the world around her, from one dragon boat to four mahjong
players to ten bamboo stalks.
Chinese Book of Animal Powers. Al Chung-liang Huang
Introduces the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac with their strengths and weaknesses, and shows how to
write their names in Chinese calligraphy.
The Magical Monkey King: Mischief in Heaven: Classic Chinese Tales. Ji-li Jiang
A collection of tales featuring the irrepressible trickster-hero of Chinese legend.
Fa Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior. Robert D. San Souci
A retelling of the original Chinese poem in which a brave young girl masquerades as a boy and fights the
Tartars in the Khan's army.
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China. Ed Young
Three sisters staying home alone are endangered by a hungry wolf disguised as their grandmother.
Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr! Blia Xiong,
Chinese Mirror. Mirra Ginsburg
The Sons of the Dragon King: A Chinese Legend. Ed Young
Wan Hu Is in the Stars. Jennifer Armstrong.
This review by Carol Otis Hurst first appeared in Teaching K-8 Magazine April 1995.
The same author who wrote King Crow, Jennifer Armstrong, wrote this fairy tale Wan Hu Is in the Stars.
Set in China, this lovely picture book tells of a poet, Wan Hu, who wants more than anything to be and to
learn among the stars in the sky. His absent minded behavior as he attempts to do so amuses and befuddles
all the villagers except the gardener who somehow believes in him. Wan Hu's many attempts to reach the
stars fail miserably until he straps himself to a chair and sets off many rockets. He sails off never to be seen
again. I really hope he made it, so will you.
Crow Boy Taro Yashimo
Grandfather Tang’s Story: A Tale Told with Tangrams Ann Tompert
Eyes of the Dragon, Margaret Leaf (China)
Japan
Butterflies for Kiri. Cathryn Falwell
Once Kiri can fold a perfect origami butterfly, she makes one with beautiful paper and puts it in her
painting.
One Leaf Rides the Wind. Celeste Mannis
Written in haiku verse, this book explores the peaceful beauty of a Japanese garden.
Flowers from Mariko. Rick Noguchi
Mariko sows the seeds of hope by planting a small flower garden after her family's release from an
internment camp.
Yoko's Paper Cranes. Rosemary Wells
Yoko folds paper cranes to send to her grandmother in Japan.
Screen of Frogs. Sheila Hamanaka
A rich man develops respect for nature in time to save his life.
Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines Celebrating Japanese Festivals Rena Krasno
Describes a variety of Japanese festivals, including Obon, Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day), and Sakura
Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival).
Sushi for Kids. Kaoru Ono
Follow Atsushi as he learns all about sushi - its history, the ingredients used, how to make it, and how to
eat it
Japanese Mythology A to Z. Jeremy Roberts
Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
This dictionary provides concise definitions and pictures to help understand Japanese mythology. Notes on
pronunciation, maps, and a bibliography are included.
Traditional Crafts from Japan. Florence Temko
Yellow Jar: Two Tales from Japanese Tradition, Vol. 1 by Patrick
Peach Boy and Other Japanese Children's Favorite Stories. Florence Sakade
The Old Man Who Made The Trees Bloom. Hanasaka Jijii (Japan)
The Warrior and the Wise Man. David Wisniewski
Mongolia
The Thirsty Horse of Mongolia, Anthony Sansom
This is the story of a horse that becomes a boy and sets out to search for the secret of life. Extensively
illustrated by professional Mongolian artists.
Mongolia (Vanishing Cultures) Jan Reynolds
South East Asia
The Hmong of Southeast Asia. Sandra Millett
Learn about the history and culture of the Hmong people who live throughout Southeast Asia.
Celebrate in Southeast Asia. Joe F. Viesti
Describes a variety of holiday celebrations in Southeast Asia, including Thailand's Elephant round-up
and the Vietnamese New Year.
Myanmar. Saw Myat Yin
This volume provides an overview of Myanmar, including information about geography, history, economy
and lifestyle.
Malaysia. Anand Radhakrishnan
Philippines
The Mats. Francisco Arcellana.
Father returns from a business trip in Manila with gifts of woven mats for his family in the Philippines.
The Philippines. Tammy Mildenstein
Highlights the geography, people, history, government, economy and current events of the Philippines.
Bali
Rice is Life. Rita Golden Gelman
Poems and prose celebrate the importance of rice on the island of Bali.
Willie Wins. Almira Astudillo Gilles
Willie is embarrassed to take the alkansiya (coconut bank) his father gave him to school. Will his
classmates make fun of him? Is it filled with treasure just as his dad promised?
The Dancing Pig. Judy Sierra
Twin Balinese girls find their kindness rewarded when the pig for whom they danced rescues them from an
evil ogress
Gecko's Complaint. Ann Martin Bowler
Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
Vietnam
Little Cricket. Jackie Brown
The Lotus Seed. Sherry Garland
A young Vietnamese girl saves a lotus seed and carries it with her everywhere to remember a brave
emperor and the homeland she must flee.
Going Home, Coming Home. Truong Tran
American-born Ami Chi tells of her first trip to Vietnam. Although everything feels foreign in the
beginning, by the end, she describes Vietnam as her "home away from home." Text is in English and
Vietnamese.
Children of the Dragon: Selected Tales from Vietnam. Sherry Garland
Cooking the Vietnamese Way. Chi Nguyen, & Judy Monroe.
Leaving Vietnam: The Journey of Tuan Ngo, a Boat Boy, Sarah S. Kiborne
Tuan Ngo makes the dangerous journey from Vietnam to the United States with his father.
Thialand
Peek!: A Thai Hide-and-Seek . Minfong Ho
A father engages his daughter in a colorful game of Jut-Ay, a game also known as peek-a-boo.
The Man Who Caught Fish Walter Krudop
A stranger with a bamboo stick catches fish and hands them out to the Thai villagers saying, "one person,
one fish," but the king wants the whole basket.
Silk Umbrellas. Carolyn Marsden
Lesson Plans: http://suzyred.com/2005silkumbrellas.html
Cooking the Thai Way Supenn Harrison
This cookbook includes twenty-four Thai recipes, definitions of cooking terms and an overview of
Thailand and its people
Thailand in Pictures, Stacy Taus-Bolstad
Information about Thailand covering the land, history, people, cultural life and the economy.
Cambodia
Silent Lotus Jeanne M. Lee
Although she cannot speak or hear, Lotus trains as a Khmer court dancer and becomes eloquent in dancing
the legends of the gods.
The Caged Birds of Phnom Penh. Frederick Lipp
After releasing a caged bird, a young Cambodian girl makes a wish for a better life.
Brother Rabbit: A Cambodian Tale Minfong Ho
A clever rabbit outwits a crocodile, elephant and an old woman.
Cambodia in Pictures. Margaret J. Goldstein
Laos
Piecing Earth & Sky Together: A Creation Story from the Mien Tribe of Laos.
Nancy Raines Day
Nine-In-One, Grr! Grr!: A Folktale from the Hmong People of Laos Blia Xiong
When the great god Shao promises tiger nine cubs every year, Bird comes up with a clever trick to prevent
the land from being overrun by tigers.
Dia's Story Cloth, Dia Cha
The traditional story cloth made for her chronicles the lives of the author and her family in their native Laos
and their eventual emigration to the United States.
Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
Central Asia
Afghanistan – Turkey - Kyrgystan
The Old Woman and the Eagle. Idries Shah (Afghanistan)
My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman’s Story.
Latifa.Gr. 6-8.
A 16 yr old girl’s life changes dramatically as the Taliban takes over the rule of Afghanistan.
The Hungry Coat: A Tale from Turkey. Demi
Tales Told in Tents. Sally Pomme Clayton (Kyrgyzstan)
Pakistan
The Roses in My Carpets. Rukhsana Khan. Gr.K- 2.
Ruler of the Courtyard. Rukhsana Khan. Gr.K- 2.
Silly Chicken. Rukhsana Khan. Gr.K- 2.
South Asia
India
Binya’s Blue Umbrella. Ruskin Bond Gr. 3-5.
In an Indian Village (A Child’s Day series). Prodeepta Das. Gr. 2-4
Premlata and the Festival of Lights Rumer Godden, Gr. 4-6.
Going to School in India. Lisa Heydlauff Gr. 3-6
Monsoon. Uma Krishnaswami PreS-Gr. 1. (beautiful picture book that can be for all levels)
A child describes waiting for the monsoon rains to arrive and the worry that they will not come.
Shiva’s Fire. Suzanne Fisher Staples. Gr. 5-9.
Nepal
We Need to Go to School: Voices of the Rugmark Children. Compiled by Tanya
Roberts-Davis. Gr. 4-6.
Southwest Asia
Mosque. David Macaulay (Turkey) Gr. 5+
Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam. Diane Stanley. Gr. 3-7
Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak. Deborah Ellis. (Israel –
Palenstine) Gr. 6-8.
The Three Princes: A Tale from the Middle East. Eric A. Kimmel
A Weave Of Words. Robert D. San Souci
Israel
Children of Israel. Laurie M. Grossman Gr. 4-6.
Samir and Yonatan.Daniella Carmi. Trans. by Yael Lotan. Gr. 4-8
Running on Eggs. Anna Levine. Gr.4-6.
Iraq
Thura’s Diary: My Life in Wartime Iraq. Thura Al-Windawi. Gr. 6-8.
Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
Cinderella Stories from Asia
Abadeha: The Philippine Cinderella Myrna J. de la Paz
The Korean Cinderella. Shirley Climo
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China, Ai-Ling. Louie,
The Golden Slipper: A Vietnamese Legend. Darrell Lum
Anklet for a Princess: A Cinderella Story from India . Meredith Babeaux
Persian Cinderella Shirley Climo,
The Spirit of the Forest saves Abadeha who is treated harshly by her stepmother. When Abadeha is the only
one able to remove the ring from the finger of the prince everything changes.
Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella. Jewell Reinhart Coburn, Tzexa C. Lee, Tzexa Cherta Lee.
The Gift of the Crocodile: A Cinderella Story. Judy Sierra (from Indonesia)
Set in Indonesia, this Cinderella story features nutmeg trees, a gold sarong and a crocodile as the fairy
godmother.
The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story. Rebecca Hickox (Iraq)
Bound. Donna Jo Napoli (ages 12 ->)
Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella / Coburn
The Brocaded Slipper & other Vietnamese Tales / Vuong
In the Land of Small Dragon: A Vietnamese Folktale / Clark
The Enchanted Anklet: a Folk Tale from India / Mehta
Miscellaneous
Asian Children's Favorite Stories: A Treasury of Folktales from China, Japan,
Korea, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia . David Conger
(Retold by), Lyons, Liana Romulo, Marian D. Toth, Joan Suyenaga
A Is For Asia . Cynthia Chin Lee
Moon Maiden and Other Asian Folktales. Hua Long
Easy Origami. Dokuohtei Nakano
The Jungle Book, and Kim, as well as poetry by Rudyard Kipling
Southern and Eastern Asia. Martyn Bramwell
Describes the geography, climate, economy, industries and agriculture of twenty-five countries in southern
and eastern Asia. Includes color photos and maps.
In the Heart of Filipino America: Immigrants from the Pacific Isles. Ronald Takaki
Singapore Matt Thomas
This elementary introduction to Singapore contains color photographs, trivia and a pronunciation chart.
Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
Secondary
The Magical Monkey King Mischief in Heaven, retold by Ji-Li Jiang. Gr.6-8. (China)
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Dai Sijie, translated by Ina Rilke. Gr. 9-12+.
(China)
Red China Blues: My Long March from Mao to Now, Jan Wong. Gr. 9-12+. (China)
In the Pond, Ha Jin. Gr. 9-12+. (China)
Selected Stories of Lu Hsun, translated by Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang. Gr. 9-12+.
(China)
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, Jung Chang. Gr. 9-12+. (China)
After the Quake. Haruki Murakami. Gr. 9-12+. (Japan)
One Man's Justice, Yoshimura, translated by Mark Ealey. Gr. 9-12+. (Japan)
Ten Night's Dream, Natsume Soseki. Gr. 9-12+. (Japan)
Keeper of the Night. Kimberly Willis Holt. Gr. 7-9 (Guam)
The Samurai and the Tea: A Legacy of Japan’s Early Christians Cathy
Brueggemann-Beil
Ancient China (DK Eyewitness)
Russia (DK Eyewitness)
Made in China: Ideas and Inventions from Ancient China Suzanne Williams
Growing Up in Ancient China Ken Teague
The Story of Noodles Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated Yong Sheng Xuan
The Empress and the Silkworm Lily Toy Hong
Buddha Demi
The Great Wall of China Leonard Everett Fisher
The Story of Paper Ying Chang Compestine
The Darkness and the Dawn, A Novel Thomas Costain – tells the story of Attila the Hun.
All Men Are Brothers / Shui Hu Chuan Shi Nai’an, translated by Pearl Buck
The Black Rose Thomas Costain
Travels Marco Polo
Set All Afire: A Story About St. Francis Xavier Louis de Wohl
The Samurai’s Tale Erik Christian Haugard
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze Elizabeth F. Lewis
The Good Earth Pearl Buck
Homesick: My Own Story Jean Fritz
Hiroshima John Hersey
The House of Sixty Fathers Meindert DeJong
Up Periscope Robb White
Crow Boy Taro Yashimo
Grandfather Tang’s Story: A Tale Told with Tangrams Ann Tompert
Dawn From the West: The Story of Genevieve Caulfield. (Blind American teacher
who started school for the blind in Thailand) Margaret Rau,
Science in Ancient China George Beshore
\
Asia – Continent of Contrasts
Bibliography compiled by Melinda Butler
Movies
The Road Home (China)
Children of Heaven (Iran)
Seven Years in Tibet
Anna and the King
Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005)
Starring: Babbayar Batchuluun, Nansal Batchuluun
The little nomad girl Nansal finds a baby dog in the mongolian veld, who becomes
her best friend - against all rejections of her parents. Only as the little dog, Zocher,
saves the life of the youngest son, father and mother finally see his good soul. A
story about a mongolian family of nomads - their traditional way of life and the
rising call of the City.
Heart of the Dragon - Teacher's Guide is available on the CD as well as at
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/
"Heart of the Dragon" is a twelve-part video series on Chinese society produced by PBS
and available in over 2000 libraries around the United States. Segments included in the
teacher’s guide: Remembering, Eating, Living, Believing, Caring, Marrying, Mediating,
Working, Correcting, Creating, Understanding, and Trading. (The part on Marrying is
highly recommended as accessible and informative for high school audiences.)
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Dai Sijie, Gr. 9-12+. (China)
Websites To Check Out
EdNet – National Geographic Education Network
http://ngsednet.com/community/index.cfm?community_id=7
An important site to visit! Many resources, links, ideas…
Asia for Educators
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/
Unit on China – Elementary Level
http://www.stf.sk.ca/teaching_res/library/teach_mat_centre/tmc/p10010/p10010.htm
By Lynnell Bowles and Cheryl Kosowan-Kirk
Excellent Cross Curricular Thematic Unit– Many of the activities are for lower
elementary, but can be adapted.
National Geographic – People and Places
http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/continents/continent_asia.html
The FIRST place to check out when developing a unit or lesson plan. From Maps to Downloadable
Music