A little light reading

I don't know if you're like me or not, but I'm always on the look-out for a good adoption/China book for the Noodle.  Thankfully our public library is pretty good about carrying a nice cross-section of books (more about China than adoption, but that's o.k.).  If you've never read anything by Grace Lin (Round is a Mooncake, Red is a Dragon, One is a drummer or Dim Sum for Everyone), she's got a bunch of great picture books.  Ed Young (Lon Po Po (the Chinese Little Red Riding Hood) and Yeh Shen (the Chinese Cinderella) has some good ones too, but right now the Noodle thinks his illustrations are too frightening.

I decided to gather up the various books that we have on our shelves and compile a list.  I was actually suprised at how many we own!  Clearly I'm a sucker for picture books, especially from these genres :) Perhaps you'll find something that strikes your fancy or you can pass on one of your favorites to me!

Books about Adoption/Chinese Adoption:

This one always brings tears to my eyes.  If you've adopted from China, I'm sure you'll be able to relate.

How one little girl addresses the "family tree" school project.  Touches on the feelings associated with not having much, if any, information about birth parents.

Not about Chinese adoption, but rather international adoption--I believe the author adopted her daughter from Central America, and all the excitement that comes with that long awaited call!

A mother kangaroo with an empty pouch and a longing heart.  A baby bird looking for someone to take care of and love him.  Blessings do come from up above.

Choco the bird needs a mama and so he sets off to find one.  Along the way, he asks all kinds of animals, but none look like him or seem quite right...then he meets Mrs. Bear who acts just like a mama and seems right, but doesn't she look like him.  Does it really matter?  Read and find out!

Chinese New Year:

Colorful illustrations and simple text help even the youngest reader understand about Chinese New Year and all the traditions associated with the holiday.

Based on the Danish folktale The Talking Pot, this book incorporates a Chinese wok and the importance of sharing...with a skippity-hoppity-ho it is just the ticket to a festive Chinese New Year!

Chinese Culture:

An ABC book that uses photographs to document each letter of the alphabet using objects, ideas, concepts and images from China.

Another ABC that uses illustrations to introduce China and its culture, customs and traditions.

A great non-fiction book that uses photographs and text to introduce youngsters to the culture, people and land of China.

A step back in time to ancient China with Ms. Frizzle and the rest of the Magic School Bus gang.

The love that a brother and sister have for their 2 pet doves...and what they'll do to make sure the doves always come home.

I have no idea how to pronounce most of the Mandarin words...but I keep trying!

This book has a cool feature where there are see-through scenes.  Curious as to what a noble's house looked like many moons ago?  You can learn about the outside and then, presto, lift the flap to see what it was like on the inside.  Cool stuff!

So that's it.  Our little slice of adoption/China culture/Chinese New Year books.  Hopefully there was a new one that you hadn't come across yet.  Happy reading!!

 ***Since this little one has been battling a fever on and off the past few days, we've had a lot of chances to catch up on our reading!  Hopefully we're on the mend now :)