Help Me Read

Hmong Children's Bilingual Books

The Ballad of Mulan

Retold and illustrated by Song Nan Zhang, Pan Asian Publications, 1998.

An ancient tale full of the spirit, honor and bravery of Mulan -- China's legendary female warrior. With lavish illustrations portraying the rich culture of the Wei dynasty. Mulan will take you into the victorious battles where she takes the place of her ailing father and disguises herself as a male. Skillful and heroic, she becomes a famous general and the model for countless Chinese poems, essays, operas, and paintings. The book incorporates the Song dynasty poem into the illustrations.

  • Ages 4-12. HC, 32 pages
  • Hard Cover
  • 32 pages
  • ISBN 1-57227-056-X
  • Chinese/English, Hmong/English, Vietnamese/English: $16.95 [Asia For Kids]
  • Buy at Powell's
A Boy Named Chong

By Brian Marchant, Project Chong Productions, 1994.

This is an inspirational account of a young Hmong boy's journey from the hills of Laos to his new home in the United States.

Dance Mice, Dance!

By Kuang-ts'ai Hao, Grimm Press/Pan Asian Publications, 1994.

This retold version of 'The Pied Piper of Hamlin' is an entertaining and meaningful story about a magical flute player who is too easily affected by praise. He becomes proud, overconfident, and lazy. Although the townspeople desert him, little mice befriend him. And through these mice, the flute player eventually appreciates the value of his talent, and learns the importance of friendship.

The Emperor and the Nightingale

Retold by Hao Kuang-ts'ai, Grimm Press/Pan Asian Publications, 1994.

Will the emperor give up his favorite horse? His kingdom? What price will he pay for immortality? The answer to this question is answered in this haunting and beautiful story about an emperor's decision to ultimately put what he loves before his own life.

  • 32 pages
  • hard cover
  • Chinese/English: $16.95 (UWA), Hmong/English: $16.95 [Pan Asian Publications] ISBN 1572270268
  • Khmer/English: $16.95 (UWA) ISBN 1572270233
  • Lao/English: $16.95 (UWA)
  • Tagalog/English: $16.95 (UWA)
  • Buy at Powell's
The Gift: The Hmong New Year

Written by Ia Xiong, Illustrated by Gou Run-Lin, Pacific Asia Press, 1996.

Dao, a Hmong-American girl, has a social studies project to do but has no idea how to get started until her grandfather comes to her aid. Dao learns how the New Year was celebrated in her grandparents' time.

The Giant and the Spring

By Kuang-ts'ai Hao, Pan Asian Publications, 1994.

What happens when a lonely Giant captures Spring and won't let it go? In this thoughtful tale, the themes of selfishness and sharing are explored as the Giant comes to realize his selfishness. His release of Spring at the end of the story is sure to touch every young reader.

How the Farmer Tricked the Evil Demon

By Alice Lucas, Pacific Asia Press, 1994.

In this Cambodian folk story, the farmer uses traditional crops and farmer techniques to outwit a demon who demands half of everything he grows.

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella

By Jewell R. Coburn/Anne O'Brien Shen's Books, 1996.

A Hmong tale that adds a mystical and unique twist to the Cinderella story. Despite a cruel stepmother's schemes, Jouanah, a young Hmong girl, finds true love and happiness with the aid of her dead mother's spirit and a pair of special shoes. The colorful illustrations are exceptional pastels, culturally accurate, and professionally done.

Liang and the Magic Paintbrush

By Demi, Translated by Bo Vang and Mao J. Vang, Henry Holt and Company, 2000.

This book tells the story of the old Chinese folk tale about a poor but talented painter, called Ma Liang, who receives a gift of a magic paintbrush. And with this paintbrush's ability to paint things to life, the young boy uses it to help his fellow villagers survive under the tyrannical rule of the greedy Emperor.

The Making of the Monkey King

Retold by Robert Kraus and Debby Chen, Pan Asian Publications

In this first book of The Adventures of Monkey King series, our hero is born from a rock, and crowned Monkey King by his fellow monkeys after finding a sanctuary for them. Anxious to make the enjoyment of his life and his rule last forever, the Monkey King sets off on a journey to find the secret of immortality. The Monkey King is a beloved creature among the Chinese, and the bilingual formal of this book will fascinate children everywhere.

Mei Ling's Hiccups

By David Mills, Illustrated by Derek Brazell, Mantra Publishing

Mei Ling's hiccups just will not stop. Everyone in her class gives advice on ways to get rid of them, but her hiccups just keep coming back.

Ming Lo Moves the Mountain

Written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, Greenwillow Books/Minnesota Humanities Commission, 2000.

Ming Lo and his wife lived in a house at the bottom of a large mountain. They loved their house, but they did not love the mountain. So Ming Lo's wife decided that Ming Lo should move it. Ming Lo had no idea how a man as small as he could move something as large as a mountain. And indeed, it was not easy.

The Mouse Bride

By Monica Chang, Yuan-Liou Publishing Company, Ltd./Pan Asian Publications

Winner of the 1992 Catalonia International Illustrator Award. 'Are you the strongest being in the world?' the old mouse leader asked the Sun, Cloud, Wind, and Wall. The mouse leader is searching for the mightiest husband for his daughter, someone strong enough to protect her and the village from the cat. The husband he eventually chooses provides the perfect ending to this ancient Chinese folktale.

Nine- in-One Grr Grr

Told by Blia Xiong, adapted by Cathy Spagnoli, illustrated by Nancy Hom, Children's Book Press

The great god Shao promises Tiger nine cubs each year - but Bird has a different idea.

  • Ages 6+
  • Hmong/English: hard cover $14.85 ISBN 0-89239-048-4
  • Hmong/English: paperback, $7.95-$8.95 ISBN 0-89239-110-3 [Asia For Kids] (CBP)
  • Buy at Powell's
The Paper Crane

Written by Molly Bang, Translated by Mao J. Vang, Green Willow Books, a Division of William Morrow & Company, Inc, 1985. A generous restaurant owner receives a wonderful magical gift from a stranger in THE PAPER CRANE. LeVar celebrates Japanese culture by visiting Gasho of Japan in Central Valley, New York. Surrounded by lush gardens, LeVar dons a kimono and steps into the enchanting world of Japan, exploring the ancient art of origami and the artistry of a Japanese vegetable carver at work.

Rainbow Fish

By Marcus Pfister. North-South Books, 1992, 2000.

The Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean but after he is rude to a little blue fish one day, all of the other fish ignored him. He gives away all of his beautiful scales and discovers the value of personal beauty and friendship.

Seven Magic Brothers

By Kuang-ts'ai Hao, Pan Asian Publications, 1994.

An evil Emperor plots to destroy seven magical brothers. Although he puts each one of them through separate trials, the unity of the brothers gives them the strength to triumph. Rich in detail and color, children are sure to be astounded by these dynamic and exciting illustrations!

Stories from Laos

By Rosalie Giacchino-Baker, Pacific Asia Press, 1995.

This book contains eight folktales from the Lao, Hmong, Khammu, and Iu-Mien. Each language group has two stories, a map and brief history. The stories present a sampling of the linguistic and cultural traditions of four of the many ethnic groups in Lao.

The Story of Mah: A Hmong Romeo and Juliet Story

By Rosalie Giacchino-Baker, illustrated by Lillian Shao, Pacific Asia Press, 1995.

Caught between the conventions of arranged marriage and their own special bond, Mah and Leu struggle in vain to be together in their present life. The story touches on intriguing facets of Hmong culture - rich textile art tradition and the role of shamanism in the community.

The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

By Monica Chang, Illustrated Arthur Lee, Yuan-Liou Publishing Co, Ltd.

Your student will delight in learning how the animals of the Chinese zodiac were chosen, and why the rat was the first one on the list. These questions and others are in this humorous version of the legend. Colorful, paper cut-out illustrations accompany the story and leap from the pages.

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