Children's Books about East Asia: China, Japan, & Korea and Americans from East Asia

Ball, Jacqueline. Himeji castle : Japan's samurai past / Jacqueline A. Ball ; consultant, Stephen Brown. New York, NY : Bearport Publ. Co., 2005. 1597160016 (lib. bdg) Ages 6-12.

Learn all about Himeji Castle, which may be the best standing example of a Japanese castle. This book really gives a feel for what it would be like to visit the castle. If you get a chance, visit it in person! The illustrations and photographs are excellent. There is a timeline, glossary, index, and list of resources for further study.

Bryan, Nichol. Japanese Americans / Nichol Bryan. Edina, Minn. : Abdo Pub. Co., c2004. 1591975298 Ages 6-10.

Japanese Americans by Nichol Bryan is a good starting point for looking at the Japanese American experience.  It introduces young readers to Japan and the history of Japanese immigration.  It takes care to note that while many Japanese stayed, but many others come/came for a while and return to Japan.  Japanese culture, religions, and food are touched upon.  Famous Japanese Americans like Daniel Inoue, Kristi Yamaguch, and Seijo Ozawa, etc. are noted.  The historical photos are good but some stock photos of (non-famous) Japanese Americans look dated making them look out of style.  The explanation of written language could have been better.  It inaccurately states that each kanji is a syllable and doesn’t mention kana.  This is a good book to add to a collection when multiple sources are available.  There is a glossary, pronunciation guide, index, and publisher updated web link. 

Dime, Myrna. The Han dynasty / Myrna. Dime San Diego : Lucent Books, c2003. Ages 10+.

Informative look at the Han Dynasty ( 202 B C - 220 A D ). Contains maps, photographs, bibliography, and an index.

Harvey, Miles. Look what came from China / by Miles Harvey. New York : F. Watts, c1998. Ages 8-12.

Formulaic introduction to Chinese inventions and cultural objects. Very basic. Some photos are of poor quality.

Harvey, Miles. Look what came from Japan / by Miles Harvey. New York : Franklin Watts, c1999. Ages 8-12.

Mediocre intro to Japan and Japanese things. Photos showing Americans using the Japanese inventions look dated and forced. Also, contains inaccuracies, such as the claim that soy sauce originated in Japan. Even the Kikkoman web site doesn't make that claim!

Wan. Vanessa. Welcome to Taiwan / [written by Vanessa Wan]. Milwaukee, Wis. : Gareth Stevens Pub., 2005. 0836831225 Ages 8-12.

Welcome to Taiwan introduces the government, habits, food, industry, etc. of the people who live in Taiwan. Overall very informative. I was a little surprised by the blunt criticism of Chiang Kai-Shek. Some photos are excellent, but a few are mediocre. This welcome volume is better than similar books I've read.

Heimlich, Ann. Japan / Ann Heimlich New York : Children's Press, c1997. Ages 6-10.

Early reader text on the Land of the Rising Sun. Better introduction to normal life and history than most. Some stock photos are dated and weak.

Hoobler, Dorothy. The Chinese American family album / Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler ; introduction by Betted Boa Lord. New York : Oxford University Press, c1994. Ages 10+.

Well researched, photo-filled reference book of the Chinese American immigrant experience.

Hoobler, Dorothy. The Japanese American family album / Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler ; introduction by George Take. New York : Oxford University Press, c1996. Ages 10+.

Filled with primary sources and photographs. Informative for all ages.

Kids explore America's Japanese American heritage / West ridge Young Writers Workshop. Santa Fe, N. M. : J. Mir Publications ; New York, NY : Distributed to the book trade by W. W. Norton ; Both ell, WA : Distributed to the education trade by the Wright Group, 1994. Ages 10+.

Children research Japan and Japanese American Heritage. Excellent variety of topics covered.

Klingel, Cynthia. Korean Americans / Cynthia Klingel. Chanhassen, Minn. : Child's World, c2004. 1592960162 Ages 6-12.

Cynthia Klingel, in Korean Americans, focuses on a hundred years of immigration.  She takes care to note differences between Japanese and Chinese immigrants.  This book makes an effort to educate readers that Koreans are from Korea and they have a unique history, language, religions, and culture from other Asians.  Notes many Korean American first (e.g. first doctor and citizen) and a number of famous citizens (e.g. Margaret Cho, Sammy Lee, etc.). There is a timeline, glossary, detailed index, and lists of additional resources.

Knuckling, Susan. Kodomo : children of Japan / Susan Knuckling New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1995. Ages 6-10.

A well-researched look at the lives of several Japanese children that emphasizes traditional culture such as judo and calligraphy. However, it also includes scenes of ordinary classrooms and shopping.

Masse, Johanna, 1976- . South Korea / [written by Johanna Masse ]. Milwaukee , Wi's. : Garth Stevens Pub., 2002. Ages 10+.

Clear and informative look at South Korea. Excellent photographs, maps, and illustrations.

McDaniel, Melissa. Japanese Americans / by Melissa McDaniel. Chanhassen, Minn. : Child's World, c2003. 1567661548 (lib. bdg.) Ages 8-12.

Simple, basic and slightly uneven introduction to Japanese Americans. Starting with life in Japan in the late 1800 and then immigration to Hawaii and the west coast. Japanese Americans discusses the hardships and discrimination that they faced. Also deals with relocation camps and the Japanese Americans who fought in WWII. McDaniel lists accomplishments of some famous Japanese Americans. While the historical photographs excellently show the experience of the Japanese Americans several of the newer photos look too much like stock photographs.

McGinty, Alice B. Meet Laurence Yep / Alice B. McGinty. New York : PowerKids Press, 2003. 0823964108 (lib. bdg.) Ages 6-12.

Basic introduction to the life and writings of Laurence Yep. Dr. Yep has a PhD, writes books for young people, and teaches English.

Peterson, Tiffany. Korean Americans / Tiffany Peterson. Chicago, Ill. : Heinemann Library, c2003. 1403407355 (lib. bdg.) [We are America series] Ages 10+

Interesting look at reasons why some Koreans chose to immigrate. Introduces the history of Korean immigration as well as current immigration. Fabulous historical photos.

Contents: One man's story: Jongha Han -- Korea -- The first immigrants -- Coming to the United States: the early years -- Living in the United States: the early years -- Moving off the plantations -- War and war brides -- Coming to the United States: recent years -- Living in the United States: recent years -- Customs and celebrations -- Family -- Korean foods -- One man's story: John Han today.

Sealant, Phyllis. Look what we've brought you from Korea : crafts, games, recipes, stories, and other cultural activities from Korean Americans / Phyllis Sealant ; illustrated by Soy Hun Park. Morris town, NJ : Julian Meaner, c1995. Ages 8-12.

Wide but not deep look at traditional Korean culture including crafts, folklore, and recipes.

Stickler, John. Land of the morning calm / John Stickler ; illustrated by Soma Han. Shen's Books & Supplies, 2003. 1885008228 Ages 8-12.

Colorful and more up-to-date looking than similar books. Brief introduction to major aspects of Korean culture. Covers such topics as clothing, language, religion, dance, music, and food. The book also includes a map of Korea and wonderful illustrations. Each page has the Korean word for the topic discussed written in hangul.

Takeaways, Mari. I live in Tokyo / written and illustrated by Mari Takeaways Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Ages 4-8.

Basic introduction to life in Tokyo following the calendar. Very simple text. Watercolor illustrations are accurate and complex.

Yoo, Paula. Sixteen years in sixteen seconds : the Sammy Lee story / by Paula Yoo ; illustrations by Dom Lee. New York : Lee & Low Books, c2005. 158430247X Ages 6-12.

Sammy Lee, the son of Korean immigrants, had many firsts. He was the first nonwhite student body president of his high school, the first Asian American to win an Olympic medal, and the first male diver to win consecutive gold medals. He also became a medical doctor in the Army during WWII and served in the Korean War. Sammy over came many prejudices. As a youth, he was only allowed to use the public pool one day a week, when it was open to people of color. Dom Lee's realistic illustrations look like old photographs.

Zhang, Song Nan. A little tiger in the Chinese night : an autobiography in art / Song Nan Zhang. Montreal, Quebec ; Plattsburgh, N.Y. : Tundra Books, c1993. Ages 10+.

An autobiography of a mainland Chinese artist. Born during the Japanese occupation, he survived the cultural revolution and after Tiananmen brought his family to Canada.