Ballad of Mulan/木蘭辭: Ancient China, Contemporary China & a Poem

Title: The Ballad of Mulan
By: Song Nan Zhang
Published: 1998

A folk song dating from the Northern Wei dynasty (A.D. 386-534) tells about Mulan disguising herself as a man and taking her father's place in battle, and finally, leading the army of China to victory. Written in verse, this book is bilingual. Age Range: 5 - 9 years

Call Number: BILINGUAL CHINESE JE Zhang in Wilmette

Title: China's bravest girl : the legend of Hua Mu Lan = [Chin kuo ying hsiung Hua Mu-lan]
By: Charlie Chin, Tomie Arai (Illustrator) , Xing Chu Wang (Translator)
Published: 1993

Legend of Hua Mu Lan who goes to war disguised as a man to save the family honor and becomes a great general.Bilingual in English and Chinese. Age Range: 6 - 12 years

Call Number: JUNIOR EASY 398.2 CHI in Algonquin (only library that owns this one)

Title: Fa Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior
By: Robert D. San Souci, Jean Tseng (Illustrator), Mou-Sien Tseng (Illustrator)
Published: 1998

A retelling of the original Chinese poem in which a brave young girl masquerades as a boy and fights the Tartars in the Khan's army. This telling really emphasizes that this tale comes from the period in which the Mongolian Xianbei culture was dominant in China. Age Range: 9 - 12 years

Call Number: JUNIOR 398.2 SAN in Algonquin Public Library

Title: Mulan: The Legend of the Woman Warrior
By: Faye-Lynn Wu, translator
Published: 2019

Mulan, the legendary woman warrior, comes to life in this empowering retelling of The Ballad of Mulan with stunning full-color illustrations by New York Times bestseller Joy Ang. Mulan loves nothing more than her family. She will do anything for them--even if it means joining the army in her ageing father's place, disguised as a man. Age Range: 4-8 years

Call Number: x398.20951 Wu.F

Title: The Song of Mu Lan
By: Jeanne M. Lee illustrated by Chan Bo Wan
Published: 1991

The Song of Mu Lan is closely translated from the ancient text and echoes the rhythms of Chinese, which is here faithfully reproduced in original calligraphy by Chan Bo Wan, the artist's father. Jeanne M. Lee has rendered the panorama of characters in silken watercolors, providing a lush counterpoint to the spare, elegant text. Age Range: 5 - 18 years

Call Number: BILINGUAL CHINESE JE Zhang in Wilmette

Title: Goddesses and Heroines: Women of Myth and Legend
By: Xanthe Gresham-Knight
Published: 2020

Goddesses and Heroines tells the tales of inspirational female characters from ancient myth and legend which all too often go untold. Performance storyteller Xanthe Gresham-Knight draws on original texts and lends renewed relevance to stories from cultures around the world. Age Range: 7-10 years

Call Number: x202.114 Gresh.X

Title: Angel in Beijing
By: Belle Yang
Published: 2018

In busy Beijing, New Year's Eve firecrackers scare a stray white cat into the courtyard of a young girl. The two become fast friends, riding the girl's bike through the city and seeing all kinds of people and things. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Kitty is enthralled by the enormous, colorful dragon kite, and she leaps to catch it as it sails up into the sky. Will the two ever be reunited? Age Range: 4 -8 years

Call Number: JPicture Yang.B

Title: I See the Sun in China or 我看在中国上空的太阳 / Wo kan zai Zhongguo shang kong de tai yang
By: Dedie King
Published: 2010

The story provides a unique introduction to the culture, family life and language of China in a way that is age-appropriate and sensitive to the true environment. Children will be able to recognize the similarities as well as the differences between their own culture and the culture of modern China. Written in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Age Range: 5 - 8 years

Call Number J 495.1 KIN at DesPlaines Public Library

Title: Little White Duck: a Childhood in China
By: Na Liu
Published: 2012

The world is changing for two girls in China in the 1970s. Da Qin—Big Piano—and her younger sister, Xiao Qin—Little Piano—live in the city of Wuhan with their parents. For decades, China's government had kept the country separated from the rest of the world. When their country's leader, Chairman Mao, dies, new opportunities begin to emerge. Age Range: 9 - 13 years

Call Number: JGraphic Liu.N

Title: Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing
By: Guo Yue
Published: 2008

A sensitively written, real-life story about a boy called Little Leap Forward, growing up in the hutongs of Beijing in the 1960's, at the time of the Cultural Revolution. Little Leap offers children an intimate and immediate account of a child's experiences as Mao Tse Tung's Great Leap Forward policy tightens its grip on China. Moonbeam Awards Gold Medal Winner 2008, NAPRA Nautilus Award Winner 2010. Age Range:

Call Number: J Yue.G

Title: All About China
By: Allison "Aixin" Branscombe Illustrated by Lin Wang
Published: 2014

This fun book has Information about China, including geography, history, government, culture, festivals, crafts, and more! Written by an American woman who adopted 2 children from China, to build bridges between the two countries. Winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award Silver Medal
Age Range:

Call Number: x951 Brans.A

Title: China (All Around the World Series)
By: Joanne Mattern
Published: 2019

Readers will learn about the unique and defining features of China. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the key details of the country including geography, climate, culture, and resources.

Call Number: x951 Matte.J

Title: China A History
By: Cheryk Bardoe for the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago
Published: 2018

Discover the history of one of the world’s most influential civilizations. Based on the Cyrus Tang Hall of China exhibit at The Field Museum, China: A History traces the 7,000-year story of this diverse land. Full-color maps, photos, and illustrations of the people, landscape, artifacts, and rare objects bring the history of this nation to life! Age Range: 7-13 years

Call Number: x951 Bardo.C

Title: The Great Wall of China (Blast Back!)
By: Nancy Ohlin
Published: 2017

Get ready to blast back to the past and learn all about the Great Wall of China!
When people think about the Great Wall of China, that massive structure is likely to come to mind. But why did they build the wall in the first place, and how is it even still standing? This engaging and easy to read nonfiction book, complete with black and white interior illustrations, will make readers feel like they've traveled back in time. Age Range: 7 - 10 years

Call Number: x951 Ohlin.N

Title: The Magic Horse of Han Gan
By: Chen Jiang Hong
Published: 2006

This picture book reads like a folktale but Han Gan really existed 1,200 years ago in China. He grew up impoverished but became a great painter of horses. Chen Jiang Hong painted the illustrations using the same technique that Han Gan used. Han Gan’s talent is rumored to bring real horses to life from the images that he paints. A warrior asked for such a horse to fight the enemy at the gates. (Mia Wenjen review.) Age Range: 6 -10 years

Call Number: x398.6 China Chen.J

Title: Shanyi Goes to China
By: Sungwan So
Published: 2006

Arriving first on the island of Hong Kong, Shan-yi goes by train to Panyu in mainland China to see where her grandmother was born, visits her family's 700-year-old ancestral hall and embarks on a busy schedule of sightseeing, meeting relations, eating and shopping. Age Range: 4 - 7 years

Call Number: x951.06 So. S

Title: The Silk Route: 7000 Miles of History
By: John Major
Published: 1995

Silk has long been considered a symbol of wealth and luxury. But thousands of years ago, the production of silk cloth was one of China's most prized secrets. So how did silk become one of the most sought-after materials in the world? A fascinating and accessible historical picture book about commerce, trade, and cultural exchange. Age Range: 8 - 11 years

Call Number: x950 Major.J

Title: You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Great Wall of China ! defenses you'd rather not build
By: Jacqueline Morley
Published: 2006

Qin Shi Huangdi, the Emperor who united China, built the Terracotta Army and The Great Wall, was known as a strong ruler who was also ruthless and cruel. Life during this time was very difficult for ordinary citizens. The Great Wall — 1,800 miles on China’s northern border — was built by hundreds of thousands who toiled to build this wonder of the world. This is a fascinating and entertaining picture book! Age Range: 8 - 11 years

Call Number: x931.04 Morle.J