Countries of Southeast Asia :
A Juvenile Bibliography

A bibliography of children's books on the peoples of Southeast Asia and Americans of Southeast Asian ancestry. Includes folktales, fiction & picture books and nonfiction titles. Includes Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar [Burma], Indonesia, Malaysia, Hmong, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Look for these books at your school or public library. For availability information, see Amazon Book Company.

[Folktales] [Poetry] [Nonfiction] [Fiction]

Folktales

Blia, Xiong. Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr!: A Folktale from the Hmong People of Laos. Illus. by Nancy Hom. Adapted by Cathy Spagnolit. Children's Book Press, 1989. Ages 4-8.
When the great god Shao promises Tiger nine cubs each year, Bird comes up with a clever trick to keep the land from being overrun by tigers.

The Golden Slipper; A Vietnamese Legend Troll Asian Legends Reading Centers. Ages 2-5 Publishers Catalog.

Graham, Gail. Beggar in the Blanket and Other Vietnamese Tales. Dial, 1970.

Feminist tales of women who save themselves through wit and courage.

Krueger, Kermit. The Golden Swans. Illus. by Ed Young. World, 1969.

A Thai folktale. A golden swan dies when a hunter captures her. All the other swans disapper. The hunter discovers the swans have a secret when he determines to do penance for his act. Dark, abstract illustrations, include watercolor washes and collage.

Lee, Joan. Toad is the Uncle of Heaven. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

A pourquoi tale from Vietnam. Toad goes to Heaven to save the countryside from drought.

Livo, Norma J. and Dia Cha comps. Folk Stories of the Hmong: Peoples of Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1991.

Info on Hmong history, customs, beliefs provide an introduction to their traditional stories.

San Souci, Robert. Pedro and the Monkey. Illus. by Michael Hays. William Morrow and Co. Ages 5 up.

A Filipino trickster tale. Pedro releases a monkey who has been stealing his corn. In exchange the monkey promises to help him wed a rich woman.

Taylor, Mark. The Fisherman and the Goblet Pictures by Taro Yashima. San Carlos, CA: Golden Gate Junior Books. 1971.
A beautiful maiden thinks she loves a fisherman she has never seen.

Troughton, Joanna. Make-Believe Tales: A Folk Tale from Burma Peter Bedrick Books, 1991. Folk Tales of the World Series

Four animals bet a traveler that they can tell a story he won't believe. Handsome batik-like illustrations. Recommended in Kirkus Review.

Vathanaprida, Supaporn. Thai Tales: Folktales from Thailand. Retold by Supaporn Vathanaprida; edited by Margaret Read MacDonald. Libraries Unlimited, 1994. Honor title of the Storytelling World Awards, 1995

28 stories which show many aspects of Buddhist worldview; animal tales; teaching tales; humorous stories.

Vuong, Lynette Dyer. Brocaded Slipper and Other Vietnamese Tales Illus. by Vo-Dinh Mai. New York: Lippincott, 1985. Ages 9-12.

Includes 5 Vietnamese fairy tales such as Little Finger of the Watermelon Patch and The Lampshade Princess.

Vuong, Lynette Dyer and Manabu Saito. Golden Carp and Other Tales from VietNam. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1993. 128p. Ages 9-12.

A collection of fairy tales such as A Friend's Affections and The Ogre's Victim.

Vuong, Lynette Dyer. Sky Legends of Vietnam. Illus. by Vo-Dinh Mai. New York: Harper Collins, 1993. 103p. Ages 9-12.

Pourquoi tales such as Why the Rooster Crows at Sunrise or How the Moon Became Ivory.

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Poetry

Ho, Minfong. Hush! A Thai Lullaby. Illustrated by Holly Meade. Orchard, 1996. Ages 4-8
A mother goes to various animals trying to quiet noises that might wake her child. Caldecott Honor Book, 1997.

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General Nonfiction

Auerbach, Susan. Vietnamese Americans Rourke Book Co., 1991. American Voices Series.
Why the Vietnamese came to the U. S., where they settled and their contributions to their new country.

Bailey, Donna and Jeremy Taylor. Hong Kong Steck Vaughn, 1990. Where We Live Series. 32p. ages 4-8

Present life in beautiful, crowded Hong Kong. [dated?]

Bandon, Alexandra. Filipino Americans New Discovery, 1993. Footsteps to America Series. 112p. Young adult title.

History, experiences and contributions of Filipinos who have emigrated to the United States.

Berg, Elizabeth. Indonesia. Gareth Stevens, 1997. Festivals/World Series.

Brittan, Dolly. The People of Laos Rosen Publishing, 1998. Celebrating the Peoples and Civilizations of Southeast Asia Series. [Available soon]

Brittan, Dolly. The Thai Rosen Publishing, 1998. Celebrating the Peoples and Civilizations of Southeast Asia Series

Culture, religion, landscape and beliefs of the Thai people of Thailand. Available soon in 1998.

Brown, Marion Marsh. Singapore Children's Press, 1989. Ages 9-12.

History, geography, people and culture.

Cambodia in Pictures. Lerner, 1996. Visual Geography Series. Ages 9-12.

Land, history, government and people.

Canesso, Claudia and Sandra Stotksy. Cambodia Chelsea House, 1997. Major World Nations Series. 94p. ages 9-12

Overview of history, economy, government, people and culture

Cheneviere, Alain. Pak in Indonesia Translated by Lisa Davidson. Lerner, 1996 My Future Series. Ages 9-12

Describes the work of a young Indonesian bull driver who trains and races his bulls; also provides information on culture of Indonesia.

Cromie, Alice. Taiwan. Children's Press, 1994. Enchantment of the World Series. Ages 9-12.

Gogol, Sara. A Mien Family. pa. Lerner Publishing, 1996. Ages 8 to 11

In this book, you will meet the Saechaos, a Mien family from the mountains of Laos in Southeast Asia. Follow the Saechaos as they escape violence in their homeland and make their way to the United States. Reviews at Barnes & Noble

Goom, Bridget. A Family in Singapore Lerner Pub. 1986. Ages 4-8. Families of the World Over Series.

May be dated since 10 years old.

Goodman, John. Thailand 2nd ed. Marshall Cavendish, 1994. Cultures of the World Series

Explores in text and photographs the history and current realities of Thailand.

Harrison, Suupenn and Judy Monroe. Cooking the Thai Way Lerner Pub., 1986. Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks Series. 45p. Ages 9-12.

Intro. to cooking with recipes such as lemon chicken soup and Thai egg rolls.

Hong Kong. Blackbirch Marketing, 1994. Great Cities Series. Grades 3-7

History of Hong Kong [dated]; maps, etc.

Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Hoang Anh: A Vietnamese American Boy Photographs by Lawrence Migdale. Holiday House, 1992. Ages 9-12.

Vivid photos illustrate the life of Hoan Anh Chau, a junior high student whose parents fled to this country from Vietnam. Shows how he tries to maintain traditional ties while being an American.

Indonesia in Pictures Lerner Publications, 1990. 64p. ages 9-12.

Text and photos introduce the topography, history, society, economy and government of Indonesia.

Kagda, Falaq. Hong Kong Marshall Cavendish, 1998. Cultures of the World Series. [Available soon]

Kinkade, Sheila. Children of the Philippines. Illus. by Elaine Little. Carolrhoda, 1996. World's Children Series

Knowlton, Marylee. Burma Photos by Takashi Morieda. Gareth Stevens, 1987. Children of the World Series.

Life of a boy and his family near the city of Rangoon. [Dated]

Knowlton, Marylee. Malaysia Gareth Stevens, 1987. Children of the World Series

Introduces Malaysia through the life of an 11-year-old boy who lives in a small village on the island of Penang. [May be dated]

Layton, Leslie. Singapore. Marshall Cavendish, 1994. Cultures of the World Series.

Geography, history, government, religious beliefs and people of Singapore.

Laos in Pictures Lerner Publications, 1996. Visual Geography Series. Ages 9-12

Introduces land, history, government, people and economy of Laos.

Lepthien, Emilie U. The Philippines Children's Press, 1993. New True Book Series. Ages 4-8

Introduces the country

Levinson, Riki. Our Home Is the Sea Illus. by Dennis Luzak. Puffin, 1992. Ages 4-8.

A boy rushes through crowded Hong Kong to join his father and grandfather as they head to sea.

Mansfield, Stephen. Laos. Marshall Cavendish, 1998. Cultures of the World: Group 15 Series. [Available soon]

McNair, Sylvia. Indonesia Children's Press, 1993. Enchantment of the World Series. 126p. ages 9-12.

Geography, people, industry, culture and government of Indonesia.

McNair, Sylvia. Thailand Children's Press, 1993. Enchantment of the World Series. 127p. Ages 9-12.

Geography, history, arts, religion and everyday life in Thailand.

Moiz, Azra. Taiwan 2nd ed. Marshall Cavendish, 1997. Cultures of the World Series. Ages 4-8.

Geography, history, government, economy and culture of Taiwan.

Munan, Heidi. Malaysia Marshall Cavendish, 1994. Cultures of the World Series.

Geography, history, government, religious beliefs, people of Malaysia.

Murphy, Nora. A Hmong Family. Lerner, 1997. Journey Between Two Worlds Series. Ages 4-8.

Nadel, Laurie. Corazon Aquino: Journey to Power Julian Messner, 1987. 127p. Young adult title.

Describes her life from her childhood to her election as president of the Philippines.

Rowell, Jonathan. Malaysia Raintree/Steck-Vaughn, 1997. Economically Developing Countries Series. 48p. Young adult.

History, geography and current economic conditions in Malaysia and outlook for the future.

Russell, William. Taiwan Rourke Book Co., 1994. Islands in the Sea Series

Ryan, Patrick. Indonesia Child's World, 1997. Faces and Places Series.

Basic information about land, climate, history and culture.

Stefoff, Rebecca. Pol Pot Chelsea House, 1990. World Leaders Past & Present. 111p.

Biography of Pol Pot. [Out-of-print]

Shalant, Phyllis. Look What We've Brought You from Vietnam: Crafts, Games, Recipes, Stories and Other Cultural Activities from New Americans Messner, 1988. 48p. Ages 9-12.

Sheehan, Sean. Cambodia. 2nd ed. Marshall Cavendish, 1996. Cultures of the World Series.

Smith, Roland and Michael J. Schmidt. In the Forest With the Elephants Gulliver Books, 1998. 64p. Ages 9-12.

Working elephants in Burma.

Stern, Jennifer. The Filipino Americans. New York: Chelsea, 1989.

Stewart, Whitney. Aung San Suu Kyi: Fearless Voice of Burma Lerner, 1997. Newsmakers Biographies Series. 128p. Young adult.

Biography of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Winner.

Viesti, Joe and Hall, Diane. Celebrate in Southeast Asia
Photos by Joe Viesti. William Morrow & Co., 1995?. From pub. catalog
Includes holidays in Thailand, Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian countries.Part of Celebrations Series.

Wright, David. Burma Gareth Stevens, 1991. Enchantment of the World Series. 172p. ages 9-12.

Introduction to the beautiful but troubled land of Burma.

Whyte, Harlinah. Thailand Gareth Stevens, 1998. Festivals/World Series. [Available soon]

Wright, David. Singapore Gareth Stevens, 1991. Children of the World Series.

Presents the daily life of a ten-year-old boy and his family in Singapore.

Yin, Saw Myat. Burma Marshall Cavendish, 1994. Cultures of the World Series

Geography, history, religious beliefs, customs of people of Burma.

Yu, Ling. A Family in Taiwan. Photos by Chen Ming-Jeng. Lerner, 1990. 31p. ages 4-8.

Presents life in Taiwan as seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old.

Zickgraf, Ralph. Laos Chelsea House, 1991. Places and Peoples of the World Series. 110p. Ages 9-12.

Examines plants, animals, land, history and people of Laos and its future.

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Fiction

Baillie, Allan. Little Brother Viking Press, 1992. 144p. Ages 9-12. Notable Children's Tradebook in the Social Studies
Vithy is separated from his older brother as they flee from Cambodia to Thailand. He must use his own wits and resources to survive.

Breckler, Rosemary K. Hoang Breaks the Lucky Teapot. Illus. by Adrian Frankel. Houghton Mifflin.

Kirkus Review does not recommend this book for younger children, grades 4-8. Review is found under the title at Amazon Book Company. Hoang, a young Vietnamese boy, unleashes Bad Fortune on his house when he accidentally breaks his family's lucky teapot, and it is up to him to restore Good Fortune to his family.

Cha, Dia and Joyce Herold. Dia's Story Cloth. Illus. by Chue Cha and Nhia Thao Cha. Lee & Low Books, 1996. Ages 4-8. Picture book

A story cloth made for the author by her aunt and uncle chronicles the life of the author and her family in their native Laos and in their eventual immigration to the United States. (Hmong People). Review at Barnes & Noble

Gilson, Jamie. Hello, My Name Is Scrambled Eggs. Lothrop, Lee Shepard, 1985. 159p. Ages 9-12.

When his family hosts a Vietnamese family that has come to settle in their town, Harvey enjoys Americanizing twelve-year-old Tuan.

Gogol, Sara.Vatsana's Lucky New Year Lerner, 1992. 156p. Ages 9-12

Torn between Laotian and American cultures, 12-year-old Vatsana faces prejudice from a boy at school as she helps her newly arrived Laotian cousin adjust to life in Portland, Oregon. Good look at Laotian family life.

Nhuong, Huynh Quang. The Land I Lost: Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam. Peter Smith Pub., 1992. Ages 9-12.

Story of growing up in a hamlet in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Sis, Peter. Komoda. Greenwillow, 1993. Ages 4-8. [Picture Book]. Boston Globe Horn Book Award. A child fascinated by dragons is taken to Indonesia to the island of Komodo to see the famous Komodo dragons.

Surat, Michele & Joanne Reiser. Angel Child, Dragon Child. Raintree/Steck Vaughn, 1987. Ages 4-8.

Ut, a little Vietnamese girl attending school in the United States, lonely for her mother left behind in Vietnam, makes a new friend who presents her with a wonderful gift.

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LSEM 511. Resources for Children. James Madison University. By Wendy Lanehart & Inez Ramsey

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