Shen's Blog

About the Hmong

2008-08-18T21:57:34Z

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.

School Library Journal

2008-08-18T21:55:47Z

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

2008-08-18T21:50:44Z

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.

Small Press Magazine

2008-08-18T21:47:46Z

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."

MultiCultural Review

2008-08-18T21:17:17Z

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

2008-08-18T21:12:44Z

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."

Skipping Stones Honor Awards

2008-08-18T21:06:30Z

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."

Parent's Guide to Children's Media Honor

2008-08-18T21:01:38Z

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."

ABA "Pick of the List" 1998

2008-08-18T19:52:59Z

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!

MultiCultural Review

2008-08-18T19:42:24Z

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."

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards 2001-02

2008-08-18T19:33:58Z

Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn and Illustrated by Eddie Flotte has been chosen for the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards Program Master List for 2001-02, in the K-3 division.

According to the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards Program, "the purpose of the award is to promote reading of quality books by young people in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to promote teacher and librarian involvement in children's literature, and to honor an author whose work has been recognized bythe children of Pennsylvania."

Congratulations, Angkat!

Enjoy Domitila's nopales using her own great recipe

2008-08-16T02:58:49Z

In the timeless Mexican 'Cinderella' story Domitila the glass slippers are replaced by nopales, a traditional Mexican dish. Now you can show off your inner Cinderella (well ok, Domitila) by making her famous nopales.

Here's how:

Nopales (makes 4 servings)

5 nopales (de-spined and cleaned)
Cut into 1 inch squares
Cover with water
Cook 30 minutes or until tender

Mix together the following:
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
Cilantro, salt, chilies, and flavorings of choice

Serving suggestions

Mix ingredients and serve cold as salad or sautee together with meat of choice and serve hot
May be main or side dish

Remember, Mexican nopales become special by means of the talent, imagination and taste of the cook.

Booklist

2008-08-16T02:51:42Z

Excerpt from Booklist review of Domitila (by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Connie McLennan):

"Young readers will enjoy comparing this moralistic story with the familiar fairy tale, and will come away with an expanded sense of the region's landscape and culture."

School Library Journal

2008-08-16T02:44:06Z

Here's what School Library Journal thought of Domitila by Jewell Reinhart Coburn and illustrated by Connie McLennan:

"... the full-page oil-on-canvas illustrations are bright, sumptuous, and visually enticing. The text is bordered by proverbs rendered in both Spanish and English. Well-written and strongly illustrated, this tale is a solid addition to the canon of New-World Cinderella stories..."

Call for Chinese Teaching Materials: Reward!

2008-08-15T23:47:43Z

Chinese teachers out there: do you have an award-winning teaching idea? You may be able to win funding to implement it! I got this information from Cheng & Tsui:

The Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) is proud to announce the creation of the International Chinese Language Teaching Award for Pedagogical Excellence. To enter, simply submit a video illustrating your teaching strategies and materials. If you win you will receive an award for your excellent teaching and Hanban will exhibit your work at both the Confucius Institute Conference and the Ninth International Forum on Chinese Teaching!

Submission Period:

July 16 - October 16, 2008

Materials to be Submitted:

A 20-minute-long video is requested plus an introduction in WORD, PPT, PDF, etc. format. The video should demonstrate the pedagogy, resources and auxiliary apparatus involved as well as the concept applied.

Eligibility:

Chinese language teachers outside China at all levels including colleges, middle schools, primary schools and Confucius institutes.

Reward:

Each of the awarded entries will be rewarded with a credential and some fund for development and publishing.

For more details, click here.