Help Me Read

Khmer Children's Bilingual Books

The Blind Man & the Cripple; Orchard Village

Edited by Emily Ching, Theresa Austin, and Sonnarith Chan, Wonder Kids Publications, 1992.

Two stories designed to teach children the virtues of cooperation and generosity.

Brother Cat & Brother Rat: the Rooster's Antlers

Edited by Emily Ching, Theresa Austin, and Sonnarith Chan, Wonder Kids Publications, 1992.

Folk tales.

Cambodia and Cambodians

By Khamchong Luangpraseut

The book comes with culturally relevant illustrations and a wealth of detailed information about the backgrounds of the Cambodians as well as the value system and the traditional life style of the Khmer speaking people.

Celebrating New Year; Miss Yuan-Shiau

Edited by Emily Ching, Theresa Austin, and Sonnarith Chan, Wonder Kids Publication, 1992.

The stories behind the two Chinese celebrations that herald in the new year, New Year's and Yuan-Shian.

  • 27 pages
  • hard cover
  • Khmer/English, $12.95, ISBN 1561621331
  • Buy at Powell's
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 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.

Judge Rabbit and the Tree Spirit-A Folktale from Cambodia

Told by Tina Mao Wall, adapted by Cathy Spagnoli, illustrated by Nancy Hom, Children's Book Press.

The Cambodian folk hero Judge Rabbit helps a young woman foil the plans of a mischievous tree spirit.

  • Ages 5-9
  • 32 pages
  • hard cover
  • ISBN: 0-89239-071-9
  • Khmer/English: $13.95 (UWA) (SHEN)
  • Buy at Powell's
Khmers, Tigers, and Talismans

By Jewell Reinhart Coburn, Burnhart & Co., 1979, 1994.

The history and legends from mysterious Cambodia. Text mainly in English with some stories told in English and Khmer.

Lani and the Secret of the Mountain

By Jewell Reinharat Coburn, 1996.

Also known as The Long Haired Girl, this is a Chinese folktale from the remote Dong Tribe.

The Legend of Mu Lan: a Heroine of Ancient China

Written and illustrated by Jiang Wei and Gen Xing, Victory Press, 1992.

A bilingual folktale, based on a poem from the Song Dynasty, in which a young girl disguises herself as a man and leads the army of China to victory against the enemy.

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.

The Mountain of the Men

By Alice Lucas, 1990.

This bilingual book tells a well-known story about an unmarried queen of Cambodia who changes marriage customs so she can ask a man to be her husband.

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.

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!

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.

Talking Walls

By Margy Burns Knight, Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien, Tilbury House Publishers, 1995.

A multicultural exploration of walls around the world and how they can separate or hold communities together.

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Amharic | Chinese | Hmong | Khmer | Lao | Multilingual | Phillipine | Samoan | Somalian | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese

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