After planting a seed, the blue bird returns to find a full-grown tree, admiring how it changes through every season of the year. At first, she is delighted by its bright flowers and beautiful green leaves, but as winter approaches, the leaves fall, leaving the little tree barren and cold. The little tree worries that the blue bird won't love it anymore now that its colorful flowers are gone. However, the blue bird continues to care for the tree through every change, so much so that she makes her home within its branches-keeping the tree company for the rest of their lives. A Blue Bird and Her Little Tree is a story of love that lasts through hard times and all of life's ups and downs. The blue bird and her tree learn about loyalty and growth through whatever changes might come.

Learn how the kind ox earned his place as one of the Chinese Zodiac Animals. The little calf is very curious about the world, but hasn't experienced much of it in his young life. When he and his mother begin to help the aging grandfather that lives next door to their farm, that changes. In the spring, when the grandpa is struggling to plow the fields, the calf picks up the plow without saying a word. He runs up and down the fields, though his plowing is uneven. The calf soon learns from his mother cow how to plow the fields neatly. In return, the grandpa prepares fresh grass and sweet spring water for them. In the autumn, when the grandpa is too weak to grind wheat, the calf wants to help. He fails after his first attempt, but soon learns from his mother how to grind wheat into fine flour. In the winter, when the grandpa is too tired to pull his cart into town to sell his flour, the calf volunteers to help him. The cart is heavy and the calf has never pulled one before. Along the bumpy road, it is shaking so badly that the grandpa keeps bouncing around, but the calf soon learns from his mother cow how to pull the cart smoothly. When they finally arrive in town, the calf and grandpa exchange their flour for a cart full of goods for the Chinese New Year, which they celebrate together at home. This is a story about courage, diligence and being helpful. The "Cultural Explanation" section at the end of the book includes the characteristics of the people born in the year of Ox and the years they were born. It also includes an interesting Chinese idiom about the calf. Other books in the Chinese Zodiac Series (as well as the year of that animal) include: Little Pigs and the Sweet Rice Cakes-2007 & 2019 Magical Rooster-2005 & 2017 Water Dragon-2012 & 2024 Little Monkey King's Journey-2016 & 2028 Snake Goddess Colors the World-2013 & 2025 Horse and the Mysterious Drawing-2014 & 2026 Sheep Beauty-2015 & 2027 Bronze Dog-2006 & 2018 Little Rat and the Golden Seed-2008 & 2020

On a windy day, panda siblings Guagua and Yaya decide to go on an adventure, setting out from under the shelter of their trusty old umbrella. However, when a wicked wind swipes the little red umbrella and tosses it high into a tree, the two pandas look up to see it shredded and out of their reach. Even worse, it is soon picked up and transported to a dump, far away from the little panda cubs. Their mother tries to comfort them, even giving them a brand new umbrella, but the pair are still upset and can't get over the fact that it's not the same as their old one. Imagine the two little pandas' surprise when they see a donkey walk past carrying a little red umbrella...just like the one they had! They set out on a quest to find their old friend and finally recovered the warmth, shelter and love the little red umbrella had always brought to their lives.

The legend of Mulan and her bravery is captured in this beautifully illustrated Chinese children's book. Mulan is a folk story from China's Northern Dynasty (439-589) about the unusual tale of an ordinary girl named Fa Mulan. This book is illustrated based on the original ballad, which depicts her bravery through Chinese ink paintings. A long time ago in China, there lived a young girl named Mulan. Her father was a retired general who taught her many skills girls weren't normally allowed to learn, like martial arts, archery, sword play and how to ride a horse. One day, soldiers came to Mulan's village. They told everyone China was in danger, and that a man from each family must join the army and fight. Mulan was terribly upset. Her father was too old, but was honor-bound to fight. If only she had been born a boy! That night, Mulan came up with a plan to save the honor of her family and her father's life. Early the next morning, disguised as a boy, Mulan took a horse and her father's armor before leaving to join the army. No one recognized her, and Mulan was very careful to never let anyone know she was really a girl. Mulan's bravery, courage and the skills she learned from her father helped her to succeed. Over twelve years, Mulan fought against the threat to China before finally helping to win the war. When she was offered a reward from the emperor for her incredible courage, Mulan instead asked for a horse so she could return home to her family. Mulan's family was so happy to see her! And there, for the first time in twelve years, Mulan exchanged her armor for a dress, fixed her hair into an elegant girl's hairstyle and joined her family, a beautiful young woman once again.

With beautiful illustrations this multicultural children's book takes readers on a tour of China's most famous caves! The sandstorm was blowing hard over the Gobi Desert. Xiao Ming got separated from his parents on their way to the Mogao Caves. As it was getting dark Xiao Ming, along with the other travelers who were separated from the group, were huddling in the sand helplessly. In the darkness of the Gobi Desert, Xiao Ming vaguely saw a little light flashing in the dust. The light got closer and closer and, finally, he saw a deer with nine shades of color in his fur. His antlers were as white as snow and his body was wrapped with a touch of bright light. The nine-colored deer told Xiao Ming to follow him. The story unfolds with Ming being guided to the caves where ancient paintings come to life!

A sweet story that highlights a family's bond, even when they're far apart. In China, the Mid-Autumn festival is a time to celebrate and reunite with family. However, Maomao's father is away on a business trip this year, and won't be able to enjoy the holiday with his wife and son. Hoping they can celebrate under the same bright moon despite the distance between them, Maomao asks the moon to deliver a postcard to his father; the moon smiles and promises to deliver the message safely. The moon sets off immediately, using the stars in the sky as her guide. During her journey, the moon makes many friends: swimming alongside the fish, chasing clouds and planes, playing hide-and-seek with a little girl. Finally, she delivers the postcard to Maomao's father and, at last, they are all celebrating under the same moon. Upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival dates: October 1, 2020 September 21, 2021 September 10, 2022

In ancient times under the reign of Yellow Emperor (about 2500 B.C.), people kept records by piling stones and tying knots. One day, Cang Jie, a historical official who tied knots to keep records under Yellow Emperor, unexpectedly made a big mistake. Feeling very guilty, he was determined to find out a better way for keeping records. He went back to his hometown to think it over for many days and nights. Inspired by the footprints of animals, he began to carefully observe the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, as well as birds and animals. At the same time, he traveled around collecting signs created by fishermen, farmers, hunters and soldiers. In the end, he succeeded in creating Chinese characters, which are still widely used today. In this multicultural children's story, kids will find out that there is a story behind every Chinese character. Children will also learn about basic Chinese characters and how to make them.

This beautifully illustrated multicultural children's book tells a story about China's most famous archeological site-the terracotta soldiers of Xi'an. When a special exhibition of terracotta warriors comes to town, Ming and his mother go to see them at the museum. To remember this exciting event, Ming's mother buys him a little figurine of a General to keep in his room at home. But at midnight, Ming wakes up and finds the General figurine is alive and he has a copper carriage ready to take Ming to his home in Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Tomb in Xi'an, China. In this mysterious underground world over 2,000 years old, Ming meets the General's army of terracotta warriors. Read and find out more about Ming's adventures with his new friends!

In this colorfully illustrated multicultural children's book a boy of today and a Little Emperor from the past find adventure and fun in the Forbidden City! On a visit to the Forbidden City, Xiao Ming somehow manages to lose his father. During his search, Ming finds a strange set of stairs. Perhaps his father went down them? Off he goes-down the stairs, across a strange pathway and through a hall where, rather than finding his father, Ming finds himself in the midst of the Qing Dynasty! The awed little boy is discovered by Imperial Bodyguards who take him to meet the Little Emperor. Ming described the airplanes and cars of the future and the Little Emperor shows Ming his treasures. The new friends are admiring a bronze dragon when suddenly the dragon comes to life and carries the Little Emperor and Ming up into the sky! The two boys and the dragon fly over the whole city, until Ming slips and falls from the dragon's tail into the city moat, bringing him back to the present-and his anxious father. A delightful tale of past meets present, Ming's Adventures in the Forbidden City will surely capture the imagination of children and parents alike.

This beautifully illustrated multicultural children's book follows Ming as he discovers the birth of Kung Fu. After Xiao Ming participates in a martial arts exercise at school, his parents take him on a trip to the Shaolin Temple-the birth-place of kung fu-in the central Henan Province of China. The temple is situated in the forests of Shaoshi Mountain, one of the seven mountains of Song Mountains. With a history of over 1,500 years, the grand Shaolin Temple has precious stone-carvings in its many buildings. At the Warrior Monks School (Wuseng Yuan), he sees monks practicing kung fu and jumps in to learn some martial arts skills. He then goes into a stone cave by mistake and meets a monk who turns out to be Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, according to legend. Bodhidharma takes him onto the mountain to see peach flowers, small birds and big trees. He tells Ming how the Shaolin Temple became the birthplace of Zen in Buddhism.

The kindness and generosity of those born under the sign of the sheep in the Chinese zodiac is brought to life in this heartwarming multicultural fairy tale. Long, long ago, there lived a kind physician. He lived on a mountain in a small Chinese village where he practiced traditional Chinese medicine for all the villagers. On his way home one day, he found an injured sheep, rescued it and brought it home where he nursed the sheep back to life. One evening, after the sheep had been living with the physician for some time, a beast barged into the village, demanding payment of each household in the form of one child. If the villagers refused to hand over their children, the beast would eat everyone! In the blink of an eye, the rescued sheep transforms into a lovely girl, who, with a clever plan, manages to frighten the beast away and keep everyone in the village safe from harm. And so, with one simple act of kindness, an entire village is saved, reminding us that every action, no matter how small, has consequences. Other books in the Chinese Zodiac Series (as well as the year of that animal) include: Little Pigs and the Sweet Rice Cakes-2007 & 2019 Magical Rooster-2005 & 2017 Water Dragon-2012 & 2024 Little Monkey King's Journey-2016 & 2028 Snake Goddess Colors the World-2013 & 2025 Horse and the Mysterious Drawing-2014 & 2026 Bronze Dog-2006 & 2018 Little Rat and the Golden Seed-2008 & 2020 Little Calf-2009 & 2021

Open up this book and find a fun, interactive way for kids to learn more about Chinese art and symbolism! Each two-page spread highlights a Chinese ceramic artifact, pulled from a museum collection. On the left-hand side, a photo of the piece, its history and any hidden symbols that are important in Chinese culture. On the right-hand side, a pop-out puzzle with 25 pieces that-when put together-shows a close-up of the artwork featured on the adjacent ceramic artifact. The patterns include daring dragons, elegant cranes and beautiful roses, among many other plants and animals. Kids will have fun finding and identifying all of the wildlife and mythical creatures painted on the ancient ceramic. For example: Dragons, the most sacred animal in Chinese culture, symbolize good luck and power. Deer represent good luck. One hundred deer is a wish for peace and happiness. An art form for many millennia, Chinese ceramics have been shipped around the world since the establishment of trade routes. Porcelain is so closely associated with the country, that it is still called "china" in everyday English. Children can develop their thinking and motor skills while also learning about important symbolism in China. This beautiful book will provide entertainment for kids and their parents&#8212and both will come away having learned something new!

In this beautifully illustrated multicultural children's book, a modern-day boy goes on an adventure where he meets Confucius-China's most famous ancient philosopher. In his newest adventure, Ming and his father travel to Qufu in China's Shandong Province, the hometown of the famous Chinese sage Confucius, born over 2,500 years ago. While Ming's father studies the stunning historic architecture, Ming's attention is drawn to a game of Chinese checkers set up in a gazebo. But as soon as he touches the checkers, Ming finds himself magically transported back in time to ancient Qufu. There he meets Confucius and his students, and explores with them the principles established by the renowned teacher, which remain so important in China today. Another delightful tale of past meets present from author/artist Li Jian, Ming's Adventures with Confucius in Qufu is sure to inspire a new generation of children.

In the West, legendary explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary are a recognized part of our history. But in China, that legend belongs to the great explorer Zheng He (1371-1433), who lived during China's renowned Ming Dynasty. Zheng He, the Great Chinese Explorer is a bilingual (English and Chinese) tale of his adventures. When he was a child, Zheng He dreamed of foreign lands, his imagination was inspired by the travels of his father and grandfather and the wonderful items they brought back from trading trips to the West. A simple but exotic porcelain vase in cobalt, a color not found in China at the time, drove Zheng He to discover the origins of this unique color-and become one of the most famous explorers in China's history. From military brilliance to sea captain and diplomat, Zheng He's life was never quiet! After serving the Emperor in the military and helping China achieve peace and prosperity, Zheng He was chosen to command great sea voyages, engaging in trade and establishing relations with foreign governments. Over the course of 28 years, Zheng He made seven major expeditions by sea to South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and even reaching as far as the east coast of Africa. And after all that travel, his childhood dream finally came true. On the Arabian Peninsula he discovered the beautiful color for which he had been searching, and this unique shade of blue became a trademark of the porcelain of the Ming Dynasty.