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Tagalog Children's Bilingual Books

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
Folk Stories from the Philippines

Edited by Alice Lucas, Illustrated by Carl Angel, Designed by Lenny Limjoco, Translated by Wilma Consul, Many Cultures Pub, 1995.

Mga Kuwentong Bayan retells three precolonial folk tales. 'A Creation Story' begins with a world of sky and water and tells how the first humans, male and female, emerged from a bamboo reed.'The Monkey and the Turtle,' like animal stories worldwide, teaches lessons about human behavior through animals who embody traits like selfishness, trickery and wisdom. 'Aponitolau and the Star Maiden,' a love story that connects earth and sky, provides glimpses into traditional Filipino rural life. An important book for young Filipino Americans, helping to connect them with their language and culture and expose them to traditional island music. Duotone illustrations.

  • Ages 6-12
  • 64 pages
  • hard cover or paperback
  • ISBN 0936434856 (hard cover)
  • ISBN 0936434899 (paperback
  • Tagalog/English $12.95 (A) (SHEN) (Library)
  • Buy at Powell's
Filipino Word Book

by Teresita Ramos/Boboy Betco, Ilokano/Tagalog/English:

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.

Looking for Ifugao Mountain

by Al Robles, Jim Dong Talman, Co. June, 1977.

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.

Selected Filipino Proverbs

By Violeta A. Noriega,1998.

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.

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