Posted 11:00am Wed Aug 27th, 2014 by heather budimulia
Viewing a country through an author’s lens is one of the best ways to understand a country or culture. But with millions of books on the market, how do you narrow down what you should read? Our picks after the jump are appropriate for a variety of ages and range from fiction to non-fiction, picture books, essay collections, historical fiction, and modern analysis. Some describe the first- or second-generation Chinese experience while others take place here.
Young Readers and Elementary School Students (Ages 4-12)
Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young (1996)
This version of Little Red Riding Hood features many twists and deviations to keep it interesting for those already familiar with the original. The book is beautifully illustrated, making it perfect for story time. Be warned – younger children may find the ending a bit scary.
The Dragon’s Egg by Alison Baird (1990)
The Chinese-Canadian main character, Ai Lien, finds a mysterious egg hatches into a tiny dragon. He helps her with homework and bullies, but what will happen when he inevitably grows too large to stay in the house?