Lao and Hmong Children’s Books

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Pragmatic Mom

It’s clear to me when trying to create this list that there are not enough Lao and Hmong children’s books out there! They were hard to come by even through my public library system so I purchased Lao Folktales and The Hemp and the Beeswax: A Hmong Cinderella. If you need either for your home or classroom library, please leave me a comment about why you need it and I’ll send them to you.

How about you? Do you have any book suggestions for this list? They would be most welcome. Thank you!

 

Mali Under the Night Sky: A Lao Story of Home by Youme Landowne

This is the true story of Laotian American artist Malichansouk Kouanchao, whose family was forced by civil war to flee Laos when she was five. Mali lived an idyllic life in the country with her family until the war began. Forced to flee, Mali and her family are arrested for not having a home in this country. With her childhood memories to sustain her, Mali tells stories of home to her fellow refugees. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui

A Hmong man is included in this story as a side character so I’ve included it in this list.

This is a gentle story that touches on more serious subjects. A boy and his father go on an early morning fishing trip but they fish for dinner not for sport. The boy asks his father why they need to fish since his father works two jobs. Fishing also reminds his father of his brother, another sad subject touched on since his brother who fought by his side in the Vietnam war never returned. This quiet story is like the pond itself, tranquil on top but teeming with possibilities including life or death underneath. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Dia’s Story Cloth by Dia Cha, illustrated by Chiie Thao Cha and Nhia Thao Cha

“Everything in a Hmong story cloth is hand-embroidered. The stitches in a Hmong story cloth make pictures of life. This story cloth will tell you about our life.”

This story cloth begins with the Hmong diaspora from China to Laos. In 1960, Laos was caught in warfare with many Hmong men joining forces with the American government to fight the communists. The Hmong villages were relentlessly bombed and many, many people died. In 1970, the Americans pulled out of Laos and many Hmong escaped as refugees to Thailand and then America. The story cloth is a bridge to all the generations before us and after us as well. [picture book, ages 7 and up]

Basha: A Hmong Child by Herve Giraud

Through Basha’s life with her parents, learn about the lifestyle and customs of the Hmong tribes of northern Vietnam. [nonfiction picture book, ages 7 and up]

Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl’s Story by Pegi Deitz Shea

From a Thai refugee camp to Providence, Rhode Island, thirteen-year-old Mai Yang’s journey is realistically described from nearly being raped by a doctor at the refugee camp to the difficulty of adjusting to a new language and culture in America. Pair Tangled Threadswith Inside Out and Back Again by Thannha Lai. There’s an extensive book list for more children’s and young adult books about the Hmong through my library system did not have many of them.  [young adult, ages 12 and up]

 

Hmong Folk Tales for Kids

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Eddie Flotte

The father in this Hmong folktale changes Jouanah’s mother into a cow and then selfishly remarries another woman with a daughter her age. He’s easily manipulated by the evil stepmother who gets him and Jouanah to do all the chores from dawn to dusk. She learns of the silken thread the cow spins, and gets him to destroy it, and sacrifice the cow. Soon, the father dies as well.

When the New Year arrives, Jouanah is too busy doing the cruel tasks her stepmother gives her to attend the village festivities. On the third day, she finds a beautiful outfit in her sewing basket and joins the celebration, catching the eye of the son of the village elder. Jouanah is not recognized by her stepfamily, but loses one shoe in her haste to get home before them. The ending is the same as all Cinderella stories but in this story, the stepmother and stepsister continue to live as they did, in misery. [fairy tale picture book, ages 6 and up]

The Hemp and the Beeswax: A Hmong Folktale retold by Ia Moua Yang

The Hmong Cinderella explains the significance of the Indigo batik cloth that is a textile tradition in Hmong culture. In this Hmong story which is detailed above in Jouanah, this story goes further and explains how the couple is united in the hemp cloth because it combines the hemp for cloth (husband), beeswax for the batik (first wife), and hummingbird (son) to eat the honey. [trilingual Hmong/Lao/English picture book, ages 4 and up]

 

Lao Folk Tales for Kids

Mommy Eats Fried Grasshoppers by Vilayvanh Bender, illustrated by Nor Sanavongsay

Mahlee learns how differently Mommy did things as a child in Laos than Mahlee does in America, where they live now. She loves doing everything with Mommy, but will she eat fried grasshoppers\. This book is available in September of 2018. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Lao Folktales by Steven Jay Epstein

“Many of these tales with animal themes have their roots in the Panchatantra and Jataka tales. The Panchantantra tales originated in India about 2300 years ago. The Panchatantra tales are the basis for Aesop’s fables. The Jataka tales are a collection of stories of the past lives of the Buddha. These two dozen folktales are also meant to entertain and reflect the constant good humor of the Lao.” from the forward

These are short and funny stories. They remind me of a Lao version of Strega Nona. [folk tale chapter book, ages 8 and up]

Pw zoo, Tus Me Ntshuab/Good Night Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann

MARK VANCLEAVE

Imagine an eggroll stuffed inside a chicken wing, using the crispy skin as the wrapper. Wow!
Find it: 5-Star Deli, Hmongtown Marketplace, $3 each

 

AMELIA RAYNO

A flavor-filled bone broth foundation is filled with vermicelli noodles and thinly sliced beef and topped with herbs and sprouts.
Find it: Her Kitchen, Hmong Village, $6

 

MARK VANCLEAVE

Gently steamed catfish is nestled into a banana leaf with lemongrass, ginger and dried spices.
Find it: Hmobb Kitchen, Hmongtown Marketplace, $6

 

AMELIA RAYNO

Foot-long casings (diners can also order Thai-style or Lao-style) are sliced and accompanied by a mountain of purple rice.
Find it: Sida Kitchen, Hmong Village, $6

 

MARK VANCLEAVE

Minnesotans might be reminded of the State Fair: massive, juicy meatballs are skewered onto sticks.
Find it: 5-Star Deli, Hmongtown Marketplace, 3 for $5

 

AMELIA RAYNO

It’s tough to go wrong with a pork, shrimp, noodle and veggie-packed appetizer, many of them arranged into pretty designs.
Find it: Xieng Khoung Kitchen, Hmong Village, 3 for $4

 

MARK VANCLEAVE

It’s bacon, on steroids. This massive slab is more steak than breakfast side, and it comes with rice.
Find it: Mr. Papaya, Hmongtown Marketplace, $8

 

AMELIA RAYNO

Made fresh to order with vegetables and crab paste; the vendor will ask your preferred spice level.
Find it: Green Papaya, Hmong Village, $6

 

MARK VANCLEAVE

Also known as the tri-color dessert drink, this coconut milk sipper with tapioca pearls can be addicting.
Find it: Twin Tropic Cafe, Hmongtown Marketplace, $3

 

AMELIA RAYNO

These Chinese rice flour doughnuts, topped with sesame and filled with sweet bean paste, make the perfect finale.
Find it: Kad’s Deli, Hmong Village, $1

Hmong Culture Events

Cultivating a Hmong MuseumCultivating a Hmong MuseumWed, Oct 17, 6:00pmMidpointe Event Center, Saint Paul, MNStarts at $200.00ShareSave

What is Hmong Shamanism?What is Hmong Shamanism?Wed, Oct 17, 5:00pmHmong Cultural Center, Saint Paul, MNStarts at $10.00

Farm Table with the Hmong American Farmers AssociationFarm Table with the Hmong American Farmers AssociationTue, Oct 23, 6:00pmSeward Co-op Creamery Café, Minneapolis, MNStarts at $49.00

Hmong 101 Interactive Exhibits Tour and PresentationHmong 101 Interactive Exhibits Tour and PresentationWed, Oct 24, 5:00pmHmong Cultural Center, Saint Paul, MNStarts at $10.00

Hmong Americans Stand with Tim Walz and Peggy FlanaganHmong Americans Stand with Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan Sat, Oct 6, 11:30amProgressive Baptist Church, St. Paul, MN

FreeQhia Dab Neeg Film FestivalQhia Dab Neeg Film FestivalSat, Oct 20, 5:00pmNorth Garden Theater, Saint Paul, MNFree

FreeFriday Forums - Racial Equity and Saint Paul Public SchoolsFriday Forums - Racial Equity and Saint Paul Public SchoolsFri, Oct 12, 11:00am + 5 more eventsWashington Technology Magnet School, Saint Paul, MNFree