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Vietnamese 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
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.

Dragon's Tears

By Manju Gregory, Illustrated by Gua Le, Mantra Lingua Ltd,

How did the twenty-four lakes of the River Min get their name The Dragon's Tears? When Chun Li releases a golden fish, he is rewarded with the gift of a magic pearl. But this is when his troubles begin ... A classic Chinese tale about luck, magic, greed, tragedy and reconciliation, it has much scope for discussion.

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.

Lady White Snake: A Tale from Chinese Opera

By Aaron Shepard, illustrated by Song Nan Zhag, Pan Asian Publications, 2001.

What fate awaits a thousand-year-old white snake that travels from its sacred mountain to the human world, only to fall in love with a mortal? Such is the unusual beginning of this tragic love story, one of the most popular in all of Chinese opera.

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.

The Little Weaver of Thai-Yen Village

By Tran-Khanh-Tuye, Children's Book Press [Asia For Kids] (Library)

A young Vietnamese girl maintains her own cultural identity while struggling to adjust to life in the United States

  • Ages 6+
  • 24 pages
  • hard cover
  • ISBN 0-89239-030-1
  • Vietnamese/English: $15.95 (UWA)
  • Buy at Powell's
The Magic Brocade

Retold by Aaron Shepard, Illustrated by Xiaojun Li, Pan Asian/Edustar, 2000.

One day Chen's mother the widow weaves a brocade so fine that the fairies of the palace send a wind to carry it off for themselves. Knowing his mother will die without her beloved creation, Chen starts out after it over Fiery Mountain and across Icy Sea. This popular Chinese folktale will enchant young and old, as Chen and his mother find their way to happiness beyond their dreams.

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.

Monkey King Wreaks Havoc in Heaven

By Robert Kraus and Debby Chen, Pan Asian Publications, 2001.

This second book in the Monkey King series tells of Monkey's adventures in Heaven. The irrepressible Monkey is a hit with children because of his mischievous nature and his magic powers.

Moon Festival

English and Vietnamese translations by Le Quang Vinh. illus. by Nguyen Huu Phat (1990).

Cuoi is responsible for a banyan tree that helps cure sick people. When his wife throws dirty water on the tree, Cuoi holds on to the tree's roots. The tree lifts off the ground and stops on the moon where Cuoi must spend the rest of his life. Songs, legends, and activities about and during the Moon Festival are beautifully illustrated.

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.

Nobody Owns the Sky

By Reeve Lindbergh, Illustrated by Pamela Paparone, Candlewick Press, 1997.

The inspiring story of Bessie Coleman who grew up at a time when it was difficult for any woman to become a pilot, but for a black woman it seemed impossible. A stunningly illustrated book that gives courage to all who have a dream.

The North Wind and the Sun and Other Stories

Edited by Tran Van Dien and Winabelle Gritter, National Textbook Co., 1992.

The title story exerpt: One morning the North Wind and the Sun saw a horseman wearing a new cloak. 'That young man looks very pleased with his new cloak,' said the North Wind. 'But I could very easily blow it off his back if I wanted to.'

'I don't think you could,' said the Sun. 'But let's both try to do it. You can try first.' Other stories include: The Three Bears, the Elves & the Shoemaker, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Princess & the Pea, Dick Whittington & His Cat.

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 Bird Named Bim Bip and other stories

Edited by Tran Van Dien and Winabelle Gritter, National Textbook Company, 1992.

The bilingual text is a useful tool for parents and students of Vietnamese. Other stories include: Luu-Binh Duong-Le, The Lady of Nam-Xuong, A Benevolent King, The Three Brothers of the Nguyen Family, Like Father Like Son.

To Swim in Our Own Pond: A Book of Vietnamese Proverbs

Collected by Ngoc-Dung Tran, illustrated by: Xuan-Quang Dang , Shen's Books, 1998.

Tran has selected 22 familiar Vietnamese proverbs and paired them with generally well-known Western equivalents. The Vietnamese 'Good personality supersedes beauty,' for example, is matched with 'Beauty is only skin deep.' The proverb in the original language is boxed in at the top of each page; beneath it is a soft, pastel watercolor illustration. A larger rectangle at the bottom presents the translation in boldface type and the Western equivalent. The deceptively simple, almost childlike paintings nicely convey the lifestyles and countryside of Vietnam. An author's note in both languages describes the collection and certain characteristics of Vietnamese proverbs.

  • Ages 3-6
  • 32 pages
  • ISBN 1885008082
  • Vietnamese/English $15.95
  • Buy at Powell's
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.

Tam Cam: the Vietnamese Cinderella Story

By Nguyen Thi Nhuan, Gioi Publishing Co., 1992.

This bilingual children's book tells the story of kind Tam and her lazy, mean stepsister Cam. Cam tricks Tam and steals the fish she caught. Yet, there is one left in her bucket which she raises until her stepmother eats it. She buries the bones in her room, and 10 days later they turn into beautiful slippers. While she is working in the rice paddy, a crow steals one of the slippers and drops it is king's garden. The Prince vows to marry the shoe's owner, and he and Tam live happily ever after. Full page blue ink drawings on every other page.

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