In ancient times, a tribe of people called the Hmong lived in China. During the 19th century, oppressed by the Han Dynasty, many of the Hmong migrated to remote areas of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand in an effort to maintain their cultural identity. Those migrating to Laos lived in the highlands where they farmed, planted rice fields, hunted, and raised chickens and pigs.

During the Vietnam War, the Laotian Hmong were widely requited by both the Communist Pathet Lao and the United States (U.S.) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Those serving the U.S. effort monitored transportation routes, gathered intelligence information for the CIA, and rescued U.S. pilots who had been shot down by the communists. When the communists took control of Laos in 1975, the Hmong who had served the U.S. were forced to flee Laos or suffer severe punishment or death. Many escaped by crossing the Mekong River so they could live in refugee camps in Thailand. It was in these camps where they remained until resettlement opportunities became available in other countries. Those choosing to settle in the U.S. began arriving as early as 1975.

The following review of Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella is from School Library Journal:

"This tender variant of the Cinderella story from the Hmong people of Southeast Asia takes place in a peasant village. After Jouanah's mother is willingly transformed into a cow to help the family prosper, her father takes another wife with a daughter who is as ugly and mean-spirited as Jouanah is kind and selfless. The stepmother lies and manipulates, the cow dies of grief, and the father soon follows his first wife to the grave. Treated cruelly, Jouanah is left at home to work during the New Year celebration. Dressed in finery bestowed by her mother's spirit, the young woman belatedly joins the festivities, catching the eye of the village elder's son. A lost slipper brings the lovers together, though the stepmother schemes to keep them apart. O'Brien's realistic, expressive paintings breathe with the atmosphere of "a sun-splashed clearing high in the mountains" while adding depth to the characters portrayed in the text. A publisher's note gives the source for the story. Libraries owning familiar European versions as well as A-Ling Louie's Yeh Shen (Putnam, 1988) and Oki S. Han and Stephanie Haboush Plunkett's Kongi and Potgi (Dial, 1994) will find this new title valuable for comparison. An authentic, satisfying story of good character rewarded."

MultiCultural Review has a review of Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien.

"This story will attract those interested in collecting or teaching the many versions of the Cinderella story as it has appeared in several dozen different cultures. The "extras" (not found in Grimm's commonly known Cinderella) include a loving mother who willingly sacrifices herself by turning herself into a cow whose spirit takes on the role of the "fair godmother." We find the ugly and jealous stepmother and lazy stepsister who make Jouanah work hard, and the handsome and elibible young man who recognizes the goodness of Jouanah as well as her loveliness... The characters are most expressive and colorful, and the border designs are taken from textile patterns.

The Small Press Magazine has this to say about Jouanah: The Hmong Cinderella, by Jewell Reinhart Coburn and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien:

"The story is well written. The beautiful illustrations depict the lush greens of the mountains and the browns of the Hmong huts. On the bottom of each page of text is a strip of a Hmong design and above the text a small illustration of a Hmong object such as Jouanah's embroidered slippers... This is an exquisite book, well worth the purchase price."

There is a nice review of D is for Doufu in MultiCultural Review:

"The stylized illustrations accompanying each term represent a variety of cultural attributes of the ages of Chiense history... Upper elementary students as well as older children will surely take an interest in this beautiful picture book in which resides a good deal of the elegance of Chinese history and culture. It will also make a fine gift."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books has this to say about D is for Doufu, by Maywan Shen Krach and illustrated by Hongbin Zhang:

"While this elegantly illustrated volume will hardly launch readers on the road to fluency, it does cogently explain the "construction" of Chinese pictograms and interpret how their component symbols combine to make a word with a meaning larger than the sum of its parts. As Krach explains, the pictogram for en, or grace, is formed as follows: 'A person resting [symbol] upon a square mat [symbol] means to rely upon. It is combined with the heart [symbol] below. Whoever relies on his heart achieves grace.' Not all terms are so ethereal-- dou fu (tofu), guo (China), and ma jiang (mahjongg) are among the more worldly entries-- and a paragraph or two sets each term into its cultural context. A conluding page offers Mandarin pronunciation keys and a guide to tonal changes."

Congratulations to D is for Doufu, the winner of the 1998 Skipping Stones Honor Award. Each year Skipping Stones recognizes books that "promote cooperation, nonviolence, respect for differing viewpoints, and close relationships in human societies." by presenting The Skipping Stones Honor Awards.  The awards "promote respect for ... cultural diversity in the world" and highlight an "exceptional contribution to multicultural ...children's literature."

The Parent's Guide to Children's Media has honored D is for Doufu, written by Maywan Shen Krach and illustrated by Hongbin Zhang, with its outstanding achievement in reference books for 1998 award.

Their review of the book reads:

"The meanings of 23 words and phrases are included in this beautifully illustrated book that explores the richness of the Chinese culture. Each word and phrase is introduced by a written image and an explanation of the spoken Mandarin language. The phrase is also accompanied by a picture representing Chinese culture and history. Of special interest is the carefully explained details of the written characters. Includes explanations of tones and sounds of the Mandarin language."

D is for Doufu by Maywan Shen Krach and illustrated by Hongbin Zhang has been selected for American Bookseller's Association's Fall 1998 Children's "Pick of the Lists."

According to the ABA, "In the fall and spring, we send each season's offererings in children's book publishing to a select number of booksellers. They are not reviewers, but they are expert booksellers and they have selected your book for 'Pick of the Lists.'

Congrats, D is for Doufu!

Angkat: the Cambodian Cinderella, written by Jewell Reinhart Coburn and illustrated by Eddie Flotte, has been reviewed in MultiCultural Review.

"...The story is worth telling because of its ethnic value. The illustrator has a fine hand, and his watercolors are detailed and delightful."