Friday, September 29, 2006

"Sisters In Shanghai" arrived here!

We must be one of the first to receive our copy of volume 4 of the Autumn Jade series - it was just back from the printers days ago.

We've enjoyed Steve Whan's Autumn Jade mysteries and I expect that someone will disappear for a few hours to start reading. The heroine is a girl adopted from China living in North America, and the reading level is probably "8 - 12 years old". I am not sure if he rated it.

If you want to learn more, or order copies -- for you or perhaps a library near you, go to the Autumn Jade Publishing website http://www.autumnjade.com/ There is a price break if you buy all 4 at once. My relationship to them is as a satisfied customer of the books -- and someone happy to receive the weekly Focus on Culture that Steve also does. (I was surprised to realize that I've been receiving that since before October 2004!)

Book 4: "Sisters of Shanghai", the story...

"Autumn Jade returns to Shanghai with her parents to complete the adoption of her little sister, Lucie. During a site-seeing trip to Old Shanghai, her parents are kidnapped. It's up to Autumn and Lucie to find their parents, uncover the treasure hidden in the Shanghai Museum and for Autumn to confront her nemesis." (Autumn Moon Publishing)

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

A fine source for books - Shen's Books

Shen's Books is a publisher and resource for children’s books that promote cultural understanding. Their specialties include Cinderella tales from around the world, Asian and Latin American cultures, and immigrant lives in America. (and they have their own blog too now.)

Their latest catalog is being delivered now.

I think highlights include:
The Day the Dragon Danced by Kay Haugaard and Carolyn Reed Barritt (A truly muti-ethnic story about an African American girl who goes to the Chinese New Year parade to see her father dance in the dragon. Ages 4-8) You know how I love to see more Chinese New Year books so I am looking forward to that.


American Born Chinese
by Gene Yang (Highly publicized graphic novel about the trials of growing up different. For ages 10 & up)

One Year in Beijing by Grace Lin (8-year-old Ling Ling shows us around her city, one month at a time. Ages 6 - 10)

I have bought books from them but have no relationship besdis satisfied customer.

Mid-Autumn Festival on October 6th

I am having a hard time believing that it is suddenly just a over a week away. We are not ready yet here. (Just a couple of days ago, my son asked "is it still summer?" and I realized that it was the Autumnal Equinox!)

I would love to hear any stories about going into the schools and sharing information on the festival. There are enough resources for at least preschool and lower elementary on my Mid-Autumn Festival site. If you are doing Chinese crafts, there are also ideas on my Chinese New Year site, but do save some for the new year too. Upper elementary students can do (harder) Chinese knots, more complex paper cuts and origami, and more cooking. I have some "research ideas" for them too.

I am especially wondering what the parents of "older children" are doing. Some of us have been going into the schools once or twice a year to do "Chinese festivals and culture" for a few years now -- and if you have not moved, you may be presenting to many of the same children too!

Monday, September 04, 2006

China's Linese site grows

The Linese site that China launched this summer has grown.

There are cultural bits, personal photos and blogs (some in Chinese, some in English), in addition to characters and language learning helps. A new link is to "Chengo" Chinese learning.

I love this Linese blogger's Great Wall picture.