THREE TIMELESS STORIES ABOUT FAMILY... SET IN CHINA

Some books are childhood treasures and these certainly qualify.  I remember my mother reading them aloud to me and I, in turn, read them to my kids...I think these stories are timeless because it's comforting for children to know that, even in worlds far different from their own, family is family.

The Story about Ping (Reading Railroad Books) by Marjorie Flack, illustrations by Kurt Wiese (ages 4-8). A "there's no place like home" story of a little duckling who gets left behind on the shore of the Yangtze River in China.  Like Dorothy, he is eventually reunited with his family - "mother, father, two sisters, three brothers, eighteen uncles and aunts, and forty-two cousins", after going through a series of adventures, almost being made a duck dinner, and finally being rescued by a boy.  Beautiful text by Marjorie Flack.  Kurt Wiese lived in China and his illustrations bring the story to life.

Tikki Tikki Tembo Retold by Arlene Mosel, Illustrated by Blair Lent (ages 4-8).  In this book, you will meet a boy with a very long name - "Tikkitikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari runchi-pip peri pembo" - who falls down a well.  His younger brother has trouble calling out his long name in time to save him, but luckily there is an Old Man with a Ladder...nice pen and ink and wash drawings - and a great read aloud!  (Practice first!)

The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar) Retold by Claire Huchet Bishop, illustrations by Kurt Wiese (ages 4-8).  This tale is about five brothers who live with their mother by the sea, look exactly alike, but have different and extraordinary powers.  They must each use their own unique power to save the first brother from being unfairly put to death.  If your kids like the movie, THE INCREDIBLES, they'll love this book!