An uplifting story about a little girl who finds the strength to overcome her fears. Piper spends most of her time singing her heart out around her home to an audience of stuffed animals and close family members. But when she agrees to take on a solo in front of her classmates as part of a school production, she starts to doubt whether she has the vocal chops to pull off the performance. Fortunately, with the support of her music-loving Nai Nai, she manages to pull off the performance.
Kids' Picture Books With Chinese Protagonists
Dive into a some of the best stories about Chinese American children inviting readers into their lives full of fascinating customs, foods, and celebrations. The pages are filled with vibrant pictures of families participating in Chinese New Year festivities and spending time in the kitchen preparing meals from traditional Chinese recipes. Elderly relatives gather around to share everything about their culture and heritage to young children who are growing up in America. They share stories about what life is like in China, including legends that influence people to this day. There are tales about the role of dragons throughout history and how they have risen as a predominant symbol of both fear and strength. But more importantly, these books starring Chinese children highlight all the ways they acclimate to life in America while introducing their delicious foods and cultural celebrations to their friends.
Home in a Lunchbox
Moving is always a big adjustment for kids, but especially for a little girl who is making the transition from Hong Kong to America. Jun does not speak English, with the exception of a few short phrases, so starting a strange new school is especially terrifying. Upon opening her lunchbox, filled with dumplings and bok choy, she is comforted by her memories of home.
Watercress
A Caldecott Medal Winner and Newbery Honor Book, this poignant story captures some enormously meaningful moments during a family's drive through Ohio. The Chinese immigrants pull over by the side of the road to gather watercress sprouting from the muddy water. The daughter wishes her parents would just purchase the food from a market like the rest of her friends. But she soon learns more about her family's heritage and the collection of watercress becomes an event that is so much more important than just foraging for food.
Tricky Chopsticks
A hilarious story about the difficulty a little Chinese girl experiences while trying to master chopstick skills. The entire Chow family holds a fun, annual competition where each member is judged based on his or her ability to use the tricky utensils for scooping up slippery noodles. Jenny, determined not to lose the contest this year, spends hours practicing alone. Kids will get a kick out of the messy moments as they follow along a journey marked with funny failures, but ultimately highlighting the importance of perseverance.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
Practice and perseverance are the themes in this story about a jubilant Chinese girl determined to make the perfect bao bun. Amy Wu takes on the task with her usual enthusiasm only to be met with disappointment with each batch. Every time there is something wrong with either the taste or appearance of her concoction. Refusing to give up, she finally has a lightbulb moment that delivers promising results.
The Truth About Dragons
A gorgeously illustrated picture book, and winner of the prestigious Caldecott medal, tells the story of a biracial boy who learns about his heritage. Through complimentary stories told by his grandmothers, Eastern and Western mythologies about dragons convey the rich history of two different cultures. Enchanting pictures take readers on a magical journey told through verse that beautifully compliments the incredible paintings of dragons.
Grandpa Grumps
Darling Daisy cannot wait until her grandfather arrives for a visit from China. She has made all sorts of fun plans for what they will do together. Much to her dismay, Yeh-Yeh is less than enthusiastic about his trip and is uninterested in engaging in Daisy's activities. Nothing seems to warm him up, despite loving hugs, charming tea parties, and clever art projects. Time is running out for Daisy to bridge the age and culture gap, yet her determination to make Grandpa Grumps smile never waivers.
Dim Sum, Here We Come!
Mouths will water throughout each reading of this upbeat story about a family enjoying a dim sum meal together. Every Sunday the extended family comes together to feast on dumplings, rice noodle rolls, char siu buns, and other Chinese delicacies. Toddlers will love pouring over the pictures of yummy food and learning all about how it is prepared.
Dumplings for Lili
This picture book, winner of numerous children's literature awards, celebrates the magical way food unites people from all different cultures. Lili and her Nai Nai are making baos together in the apartment kitchen. Readers are treated to a step-by-step process, from mixing ingredients to kneading the dough. But when they discover there is no cabbage to line the basket, Lili scrambles upstairs to a neighbor's place to borrow the item. It so happens that this friendly person is missing potatoes for her pierogis. What ensues is a fun scamper throughout the apartment building delivering items to people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds all busy whipping together their specialties.
Rainbow Shopping
Food is the panacea for a little Chinese girl who is having trouble adjusting to her life in America. Moving to New York City seemed very exciting at first, but her parents and grandmother work long hours in order to survive. One particularly rainy Saturday, her mother takes her to a favorite market in Chinatown where they stock up on a colorful array of produce. Together they mix a rainbow of ingredients and sit down to enjoy a meal reminiscent of the food they ate when still in China.
Fortune Cookie Fortunes
Snapping open a fortune cookie to find a slip of paper predicting one's fate in life is a fun ending to a delicious meal in a Chinese restaurant. This fun tradition stirs up lively conversation around the table about the likelihood of the prediction actually coming true. In this cute story, Mei Mei is the believer while Jie Jie scoffs at the silly slips of paper. Pacy, on the other hand, is a quiet observer who starts to see the magical fortunes play out right in front of her eyes.
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