Children’s books that journey into Chinese culture
There's no denying that Chinese culture is very different to that of the west. Just like learning other languages, learning Mandarin Chinese requires the knowledge of Chinese culture. No matter how much we try to explain it, sometimes the best way to introduce culture is through images. After all, seeing is believing! Using picture books is a great way to support Chinese language learning in young learners, so below 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’.
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’.
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