China

Retelling of a Chinese classic, Tripitaka, a revered monk, embarks on a journey to find the words of peace and harmony, aided by quick-tempered Monkey, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, who can transform himself in a thousand and one ways. Fabulously illustrated! (Picture book)

Also, chapter book The Magical Monkey King.

Fabulous story of Wu Daozi, the great T'ang dynasty painter. Daozi trains in the classical style, but soon he's painting flying Buddhas, dancing peonies, galloping horses on teahouse and temple walls. His paintings are so real, they come to life! Luminous illustrations, this is a gem. (Picture book)

Little pandas Lingling and Baobao go to stay with their grandmother every summer. They have a great time eating dim sum, hearing about "dotting the dragon's eyes" and why dim sum means "heart toucher," learning calligraphy and kung fu. Irresistible illustrations, and delightful stories! (Picture book)

Picture biography of Lao Tzu, the mysterious Taoist philospher who wrote of the great book of wisdom, the Tao Te Ching, plus 20 different verses from the Tao Te Ching, all exquisitely illustrated. (Picture book)

Excellent overview of ancient China – the first emperor, lifestyles of the rich and powerful, peasants and farmers, secrets of silk and paper, calligraphy, poetry and painting, food, clothing, festivals, medicine and inventions. Rich, detailed historical illustrations. (Picture book)

Amazing discovery of the terracotta warriors, thousands of pottery figures guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Find out about the archeological site, how the figures were made, soldier's armor, weapons, and horses. Gorgeous close-up photographs of the terracotta warriors. (Picture book)

Jack and Annie are whirled back to China over 2,000 years ago, when Emperor Qin Shi Huang is the "Dragon King." They have to find the a bamboo book before it's burned, and escape the emperor's soldiers, but a ball of silk may save the day. (Easy reader)

Also, a non-fiction companion book: China: Land of the Emperor's Great Wall

Illustrated history of the Great Wall, 4,000 miles long and the largest man-made structure in the world. How the First Emperor built the first wall with towers, packed earth and towers, and a thousand years later, an improved wall was constructed with brick and stone, which has lasted to this day. (Chapter book)

Pictorial history of Marco Polo's amazing journey through China – the realm of Kublai Khan, Mongol and court life, imperial palaces, Chinese dynasties and culture, plus 21 activities – make your own clay warriors or paper, reorder your room with feng sui, qigong exercises, try Chinese-style painting, make moon cakes. Excellent historical illustrations. (Chapter book)

Emmajin, the granddaughter of Kublai Khan, aims to become a warrior in the Mongol army. But when she meets Marco Polo in the gardens of Xanadu, another world opens up. Together they travel to western China on a secret mission and find themselves facing a fierce army mounted on elephants. Good for older kids. (Chapter book)

Young Chengli joins a caravan, traveling the Silk Road from Chang'an to Kashgar. Exciting adventures as he saves a princess from bandits, survives deadly sandstorms and snow in the Tien Shan mountains, learns to ride horses like a Kazakh, and follows the wind of the desert. (Chapter book)

In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is named after twelve different animals – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig. This is a delightful retelling of how the Chinese zodiac was created, and why there is no year of the cat. (Picture book)

Celebrate seven major Chinese festivals – Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese Valentine's Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Double Ninth Festival, plus holiday tales, recipes for moon cakes, sweet dumpling, and zongzi, riddles and poems. (Picture book)

It's the Spring Festival and Long-Long has come to town with his grandpa. Everything in town is a new adventure for Long-Long – selling their vegetables in the open-air market, shopping, eating, celebrating good luck. Sparkling illustrations, filled with wonderful details, this is a gem. (Picture book)

Delightful story of Little Pear, a mischievous five year old boy. What happens when he flies kites, celebrates with firecrackers, walks to the big city, or eats too many green peaches? Charming line drawings, perfect for younger kids. (Chapter book)

“High on a mist-wrapped mountain, cradled in a leafy nest, Panda holds her newborn cub gently in her paw.” Lyrical story of a mother panda and her cub, as she searches for a new bamboo patch in the mountain country. Fabulous illustrations in the style of Chinese paintings! (Picture book)

Also, an easy reader: A Perfect Time for Pandas.

Take a journey around China with Adele and her little brother Simon, from departure in Hong Kong, to Hangzhou, Peking, the Great Wall, cave of Dunghuang, deserts and rivers. Detailed watercolor illustrations, this is a delightful historical tour around China a century ago. (Picture book)

Get to know people, history, and culture of China – geography, famous historic places, family traditions and customs, language, games, food, arts, festivals, religions, plus stories, songs, crafts to make. (Illustrated chaper book)

Fun facts about China today, the most populous country on earth – city and country life, history, school, food, sports, arts and music, wildlife, and festivals. (Easy reader)

Personal, homey experiences after a visit to China – splurping noodle soup, eating steamed dumplings under a willow tree, weird and wonderful fruits in the markets, boat ride on the canals, rocks that look like animals and lucky goldfish in a garden. (Illustrated chapter book)

Not a guidebook, this is filled with fascinating people, places and history of China – lucky dragons, emperors, Mongols and Mao Zedong, kite capital of the world, pedal power, secrets of silk, ice festivals, warrior monks, and more. Lots of fun! (Illustrated chapter book).