East Asian
Picture Book Reviews
From China to Cambodia, international children's literature explore innumerable aspects of East Asian culture, cuisine, history, and tradition in friendly, simple formats. Expanding a young child's mind either in the classroom or right before bedtime through international picture books allows children access to other perspectives and word events through a palatable, enjoyable, comprehensive, and deceivingly didactic medium.
Feel free to click on the book pictures to link to Amazon’s website for purchasing or more information on the title.
Feel free to click on the book pictures to link to Amazon’s website for purchasing or more information on the title.
Japan
|
Yoshi's Feast
Author: Kajikawa, Kimiko
Illustrator: Heo, Yumi Title: TYoshi's Feast ISBN: 0-7894-2607-2 Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. Date of Publication: 2000 Number of Pages: 32 pages Review: With the aid of Japanese historian, Kimiko Manes, in compiling this adaptation of a traditional Japanese fable – “Smells and Jingles” – Kimiko Kajikawa conveys Japanese culture through detailed illustrations that truly capture the flamboyancy and elegancy of kimonos. Centered around the tensions of two neighbors, Yoshi and Sabu, the story characterizes Yoshi as a selfish, wealthy, eel-loving fan maker who longs to taste Sabu’s boiled dishes. Sabu, in turn, is a chef of a hidden hibachi who fails to attract enough customers to make a honorable living. Both are mad at one another: Yoshi is upset Sabu doesn’t share his leftovers and Sabu is mad that Yoshi doesn’t purchase his eels. At a standstill, the neighbors taunt one another, but ultimately come to a solution that benefits them both. As a story that wholeheartedly embraces onomatopoeia and lively dialogue, “Yoshi’s Feast” hints at an adage – when we help each other, we help ourselves – in its humorous, rich plot. Picture book (Ages 4+). |
|
Little Daruma and Little Tengu
Author: Kako, Satoshi; Howlett; McNamara, Richard
Title: Little Daruma & Little Tengu: A Japanese Children’s Tale ISBN: 978-0804833479 Publisher: Tuttle Publishing Date of Publication: 1 edition (January 15, 2003) Number of Pages: 32 pp. Review: A universal symbol of good luck in Japan, Little Daruma makes his U.S. debut with two tales: Little Daruma and Little Tengu and Little Daruma and Little Kaminari, both by Satoshi Kako, trans. by Peter Howlett and Richard McNamara. In the first, Little Daruma, whose body resembles a kidney bean with fleshy arms and legs, and whose face bears the markings of a Samurai warrior, pines for all the things Little Tengu has (a fan, a hat, clogs), including his hana (the word doubles as "nose" and "flower," in Japanese). With the help of his family, the hero emulates them all. The second title, the hero attempts to rescue Little Kaminari's lost possession and winds up on a journey through the clouds with his new friend. Picture book (Ages 6-9). |
|
Maneki Neko:
|
|
Grandpa's Town
Author: Nomura, Takaaki
Translator: Stinchecum, Amanda Mayer Title: Grandpa's Town ISBN: 0-916291-36-7 Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Kane/Miller Publishers Date of Publication: 1991 Number of Pages: 32 pages Recommended / Listed Price: $13.95 Review: As a translated text from Japan, Takaaki Nomura's "Grandpa's Town" presents the original Japanese text in the upper-left hand corner of each page while the English version dwells in the lower-right hand corner. With unique, flat illustrations that depict all characters with rosy cheeks, the picture book issues a story about a boy who accompanies his grandfather on his trip to a public bath in a Japanese town. Comfortable with nudity and illustrating youth's disrespect to the elderly - since Yuuta pounds Gen on his back at one point - "Grandpa's Town" can open up a discussion about the public traditions and familial relations in Japan and how they differ in America. Similes and onomatopoeia adorn the simple prose for a fluent narrative about a unique Japanese custom. Picture book (Ages 4+). |
Umbrella
Author: Yashima, Taro
Title: Umbrella ISBN: 978-0140502404 Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Puffin Date of Publication: Reprint edition (August 25, 1977) Number of Pages: 40 pp. Recommended / Listed Price: $6.99 Review: Momo can't wait to use the red boots and umbrella she received on her birthday. All she needs now is a rainy day! Soft illustrations portray a thoughtful Japanese story about patience and growing independence. This book received a Caldecott Award. Picture Book (Ages 4 and up). |
China
Beyond the Great Mountains:
|
|
At the Beach
Author and Illustrator: Lee, Huy Voun
Title: At the Beach ISBN: 978-0805058222 Place of Publication: New York, New York Publisher: Square Fish Date of Publication: Reprint edition (April 15, 1998) Number of Pages: 32 pp. Recommended / Listed Price: $16.95 Review: A little boy and his mother's day at the beach is the vehicle for this concept book about Chinese characters. Ten characters are introduced as mother and child write them in the sand; verbal mnemonics are reinforced by pictures of people or nature. For example, the character for "woman" is vividly illustrated by a woman posing for a photo with a baby in her arms. However, "sky" confuses the related characters for "person" and "big" in the text; the illustration of "water" is too abstract and disjointed; and the explanation of "sand" is illustrated with a beach scene that has no relevance to how the character is drawn. The pictures are clever and visually appealing, consisting largely of cut-paper collage with some drawings. Picture book (Grades 2-4) |
|
The Hunter
Author: Casanova, Mary
Illustrator: Yong, Ed Title: The Hunter: A Chinese Folktale ISBN: 978-0-689829-06-2 Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Date of Publication: 2000 Number of Pages: 32 pages Recommended / Listed Price: $17.99 Review: Told on pages illustrated to resemble ancient parchment paper and scrawled with ink drawings, Mary Casanova’s “The Hunter,” delivers a Chinese folktale learned from a Chinese foreign exchange student and grounded in the traditional character of Hai Li Bu. As a loyal and unselfish hunter for his village, Hai Li Bui becomes distraught when a drought plagues his hunting grounds and he cannot adequately provide for his people. However, upon saving a white snake from the talons of a crane, Hai Bi Bu is rewarded by the snake’s Dragon King with a stone that enables him to understand the language of all the animals. Able to pinpoint the location of clams buried in sand and where mountain goat wandered, Hai Li Bu delivered food to his village once again. However, upon hearing the animals warn of an impending storm that would flood the village, Hai Li Bu breaks the promise of secrecy when he reveals his animal sources of his prophecy in order to convince the people to flee. What will the village people learn from Hai Li Bu’s sacrifice? Picture book (Ages 5-8). |
|
Good Morning ChinaAuthor: Hu Yong Yi
Illustrator: Hu Yong Yi Title: Good Morning China ISBN: 978-1-59643-240-6 Place of Publication: New York, NY Publisher: Roaring Book Press Date of publication: 2007 Number of pages: 32 pp. Recommended/listed price: $16.95 Hu Yong Yi’s beautiful illustrations support the simple text in this captivating picture book that describes what life is like at a park in China in the early morning hours. Young children (ages 4 and up) can see for themselves what this small community in China is doing at the park together. It is a small window into a serene world where Chinese culture permeates the book. Children can use the rich paintings to learn about and support new vocabulary, such as “lotus ponds” and “shuttlecock”. Yi’s lifelong experience of life in Hong Kong and her extensive schooling at prominent arts and design colleges and universities are represented in this book. An interactive foldout at the end of the story paints a vivid picture of what the community is engaged in at the end of this simple, yet enticing book about Chinese culture. Picture Book (Ages 4 & up). |
|
Korea
|
Bee-Bim Bop!
Author: Park, Linda Sue
Illustrator: Lee, Ho Baek Title: Bee-Bim Bop! ISBN: 978-0-547076-71-3 Place of Publication: New York Publisher: Sandpiper Date of Publication: 2000 Number of Pages: 32 pages Recommended / Listed Price: $17.99 Review: Written in lively verse and adorned with several full-page illustrations, Linda Sue Park’s “Bee-Bim-Bop!” is a catchy picture book about a traditional Korean dish that naturally lends itself to read-alouds. A relatable, enthusiastic girl narrates the preparation, cooking, and table setting process of making Bee-Bim-Bop, which is Korean for “mix-mix rice.” Stirring cultural interest, the picture book engages readers enough so that kids won’t be able to resist chiming in to the little girl’s repetitive request for Bee-Bim-Bop. The spirited child is drawn through dainty illustrations that add to the story’s light-hearted, upbeat tone. An original recipe for Bee-Bim-Bop is provided at the story’s conclusion. As the daughter of Korean immigrants, Linda Sue Park grew up immersed in the culture and has traveled widely in Asia, allowing her to write authentic texts about the country. Picture book (Ages 4-8). |
|
The Love of Two Stars:
|
|
The Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains
Author: So-un,
Kim
Illustrator: Kyoung-Sim, Jeong Title: The Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains: A Korean Folktale ISBN: 0-8048-3653-1 Place of Publication: Vermont Publisher: Tuttle Publishing Date of Publication: 2005 Number of Pages: 32 pages Recommended / Listed Price: $16.95 Review: Hearing this story as a child in Korea and as a specialist in Korean folklore now, Kim So-un produces an authentic tale from Korea in The Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains. As a tale of man-eating tigers and due to the large quantity of text on each page, this book is appropriate for older, more advanced young readers. Although many have previously attempted and none prevailed, a hunter sets out to the tiger-infested Kumgang Mountains aspiring to annihilate the species. Ten years pass and he is assumed dead, so his son – abandoned by his father as a newborn – seeks revenge, taking up the same mission: to wipe out all the tigers. His mother and an innkeeper force the son to practice until his long-distance shooting skills are precise and confident. After years of practice, the son reaches the mountains and quickly kills several tiger disguised as humans, since the vestiges of a tiger’s paw or tail or fangs gives away their true beastly identity. However, upon encountering a grandfather tiger, the son is swallowed hole. With the story’s climax reminiscent of the biblical story of “Jonah and the Whale,” read the story to discover if the son finds a way to be expelled from the tiger’s stomach. Detailed with sketchy illustrations of frantic color, Jeong’s drawings complement a highly intriguing plotline. Picture book (Ages 9+). |
Philippines
The Song of Pulaw
Author: E. B. Maranan
Illustrator: Sandra Torrijos Title: The Song of Pulaw Place of Publication: Port Area, Manila Publisher: Transition Publications, Inc. Date of publication: 1992 Number of pages: 32 pp. Pulaw is a strong and majestic river set in the beautiful country of the Philippines. In this modern variation of the creation theme, Maranan explores the topics that so many indigenous cultures do--nature, creation and learned lessons. Two gods create nature and human beings only to find that greed invades their lives and causes what is thought to be irreversible harm to the greater good. Realizing that the culture was given a second chance after a series of detrimental actions that led to the demise life on the island, life is built back up and appreciated with a new sense of respect. Children can learn about Filipino culture through Maranan's book and their placed importance of taking care of the Earth and not succumbing to greed. The author's affiliation with the Philippines Asian Center in Diliman, Quezon City and the Philippine Embassy as the Foreign Information Officer has led to his wealth of knowledge of Filipino culture. Picture Book (Ages 10 & up). |
|
Cambodia
|
Half Spoon of RiceAuthor: Icy Smith
Illustrator: Sopaul Nhem Title: Half Spoon of Rice ISBN: 0-88899-672-1 Place of Publication: California Publisher: East West Discovery Press Date of Publication: 2010 Number of Pages: 44 pages Recommended / Listed Price: $19.95 This inspiring story of a young boy surviving the Khmer Regime's Cambodian genocide is a must-read. It is based off of true stories and accounts of survival, friendship and endurance. Between the years 1975 and 1979, nine-year old Nat is put to the test after being taken from his family and put to work in the rice fields during the midst of the genocide. He works countless hours and suffers terribly from hunger, brutality and fear. He longs to join his family again but that seems an impossible task until he forges a friendship with Malis and is able to find hope in this once beautiful countryside that now seems full of despair. Icy Smith and Sopaul Nhem bring Nat's experience to life with an encouraging story of friendship, courage and persistence. Smith has written countless bilingual books to bring other cultures to life. With her Asian background, she has experience with the culture and has a plethora of resources to draw from. Nhem uses illustrations and actual photographs from the Cambodian genocide to bring this inspirational story to life. (Picture Book, Grades 5-8) |
Laos
Piercing Earth and Sky Together:
|
|