Children’s book that journey into Chinese culture

Children’s book that journey into Chinese culture
There’s no denying that Chinese culture is very different to that of the west, no matter how much
we try to explain it sometimes the best way to introduce culture is through images. Seeing after all
is believing! Using picture books is a great way to support Chinese language learning in young
learners, so bellow you can find some popular titles.
Red Is a Dragon: A Book of Colors by Roseanne Thong, Grace Lin
This book is a mix of rhyming poems and illustrations that can only be described as culturally
authentic. The story follows a girl as she discovers colors that are used as a way to introduce
different aspects of Chinese culture. Readers are introduced to culturally important objects, since
they may be unfamiliar with these words there is a useful glossary at the end of the book. The book
also includes crafts and activities that children can create after reading the book, meaning the fun
can continue long after the reading has finished. Following the same path, ‘Round is a Mooncake:
Book of Shapes’ is another book by the same author and illustrator that introduces an important
Chinese festival.

Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin
Even looking at the illustrations on this book is enough to make me hungry! The book follows a
little girl as she tries to find a Dim Sum for everyone, the book is a good introduction to Chinese
eating culture as readers get to see that no one has an individual dish but instead everyone shares.
As an added bonus the book includes an ingredient and Dim Sum list. At the front of the book
ingredients and utensils used to prepare Dim Sums are laid out. An extensive Dim Sum list can be
found at the back, with not just the English name but also the Chinese translation so it can be used
to increase vocabulary. As an added activity it would be fun to visit China town to try to find the
Dim Sums on the book, or even look for simple recipes online and try to make some of them.
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim, Grace Zong
Well-loved children’s stories rebranded with Chinese characteristics. If the name is not enough to
give it away this is the Chinese version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears". It follows a careless
Goldy Luck as wreaks havoc on the home of a family of panda bears. This book introduces cultural
aspects and elements, such as day to day objects, typical Chinese foods, and important holidays.

Along the same lines ‘Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young’ is the Chinese
version of Red-Riding Hood, although be aware that his illustrations can be a little scary for very
young readers. He also illustrates ‘Yeh Shen a Cinderella story from China’. Following this theme,
Stephanie Campisi’s ‘The Ugly Dumpling’ is a fun, heartwarming Chinese version of ‘The ugly
duckling’.