Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
In the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima, Sadako's dying wish is to make one thousand paper cranes in accordance with the Japanese legend that says that the gods will grant the maker's wish to be well again.
In the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima, Sadako's dying wish is to make one thousand paper cranes in accordance with the Japanese legend that says that the gods will grant the maker's wish to be well again.
Soraya the Storyteller
Rosanne Hawke
PRC 7-9
User level: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4
Fear of further persecution by the Taliban drives Soraya and her family from Afghanistan and compels them to continue their perilous journey in the hope of finding safety in Australia. Khala, a substitute grandmother, tells Soraya and her brother enthralling stories of bravery and love, keeping them in touch with their culture and memories, offering security in their uncertain world. More than a narrator, Soraya is the storyteller who uses her gift to remember and heal as she tries to make sense of her new life. Slowly Soraya's story unfolds, more poignant because of what is left unstated in her halting diary entries but leaving the reader with a sense of hope for the future as new experiences and friendships evolve. This thought provoking narrative will engender discussion about the plight of refugees in Australian detention centres. Review by C. Keane
Rosanne Hawke
PRC 7-9
User level: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4
Fear of further persecution by the Taliban drives Soraya and her family from Afghanistan and compels them to continue their perilous journey in the hope of finding safety in Australia. Khala, a substitute grandmother, tells Soraya and her brother enthralling stories of bravery and love, keeping them in touch with their culture and memories, offering security in their uncertain world. More than a narrator, Soraya is the storyteller who uses her gift to remember and heal as she tries to make sense of her new life. Slowly Soraya's story unfolds, more poignant because of what is left unstated in her halting diary entries but leaving the reader with a sense of hope for the future as new experiences and friendships evolve. This thought provoking narrative will engender discussion about the plight of refugees in Australian detention centres. Review by C. Keane
The Little Refugee
Anh Do & Suzanne Do; illustrated by Bruce Whatley
NF 792.702 DO
PRC 3-4
Summary: Giant waves crashed down on our little boat. I was terrified but my mum hugged me tight and told me, 'Everything will be okay. Don't worry, it will be okay.' Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. It was a dangerous journey, with murderous pirates and terrifying storms, but they managed to survive. Life in suburban Australia was also hard for a small boy with no English and funny lunches. But there was a loving extended family, lots of friends, and always something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram
Anh Do & Suzanne Do; illustrated by Bruce Whatley
NF 792.702 DO
PRC 3-4
Summary: Giant waves crashed down on our little boat. I was terrified but my mum hugged me tight and told me, 'Everything will be okay. Don't worry, it will be okay.' Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. It was a dangerous journey, with murderous pirates and terrifying storms, but they managed to survive. Life in suburban Australia was also hard for a small boy with no English and funny lunches. But there was a loving extended family, lots of friends, and always something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram
Fiction Texts with an Asian theme
Nips XI
Ruth Starke
F STA
PRC 7-9
Genre: Sports fiction
The boys at North Illaba Primary School form a cricket team. The team includes students from different cultures and they combine to celebrate their common interests, not their diversities.
NIPS go national
Ruth Starke
F STA
PRC 7-9
Genre: Sports fiction
Flushed with their multicultural cricketing success in NIPS XI, the team goes interstate to watch the Aussie team practise on the holiest turf in cricket, the MCG. They are also invited to an important cricket carnival.
Ruth Starke
F STA
PRC 7-9
Genre: Sports fiction
The boys at North Illaba Primary School form a cricket team. The team includes students from different cultures and they combine to celebrate their common interests, not their diversities.
NIPS go national
Ruth Starke
F STA
PRC 7-9
Genre: Sports fiction
Flushed with their multicultural cricketing success in NIPS XI, the team goes interstate to watch the Aussie team practise on the holiest turf in cricket, the MCG. They are also invited to an important cricket carnival.
Glass tears
Jane Jolly
F JOL
Jane Jolly
F JOL
Samurai Kids - series
Sandy Fussell
F FUS
PRC 5-6
Genre: Adventure fiction
It's not easy being a one-legged, trainee Samurai warrior but Niya, the white crane, and the other kids at the Cockroach Ryu (school) want to prove to themselves, and those who despise them, that it is their abilities, not their disabilities, that count. Together, they must face danger, fear and the taunts of the Dragon Ryu.
Sandy Fussell
F FUS
PRC 5-6
Genre: Adventure fiction
It's not easy being a one-legged, trainee Samurai warrior but Niya, the white crane, and the other kids at the Cockroach Ryu (school) want to prove to themselves, and those who despise them, that it is their abilities, not their disabilities, that count. Together, they must face danger, fear and the taunts of the Dragon Ryu.
Sarindi and the lucky bird
Janine M. Fraser illustrated by Kim Gamble
J FRA
Janine M. Fraser illustrated by Kim Gamble
J FRA
Sarindi and the lucky bird
Janine M. Fraser illustrated by Kim Gamble
J FRA
Janine M. Fraser illustrated by Kim Gamble
J FRA
The melting pot (My Australian Story)
Christopher W. Cheng
Christopher W. Cheng
Dragonkeeper Series
Carole Wilkinson
F WIL
PRC 5-6
Dragonkeeper
Genre: Fantasy
A slave girl saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Pursued by a ruthless dragon hunter, the girl and the dragon make an epic journey across China carrying a mysterious stone that must be protected.
Dragonmoon
Ancient China, Han Dynasty. Ping and Kai have travelled far but their journey is not yet over. When a hidden message from Danzi makes the way clear, Ping knows that once again the journey of a thousand li begins with a single step.
Carole Wilkinson
F WIL
PRC 5-6
Dragonkeeper
Genre: Fantasy
A slave girl saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Pursued by a ruthless dragon hunter, the girl and the dragon make an epic journey across China carrying a mysterious stone that must be protected.
Dragonmoon
Ancient China, Han Dynasty. Ping and Kai have travelled far but their journey is not yet over. When a hidden message from Danzi makes the way clear, Ping knows that once again the journey of a thousand li begins with a single step.
Sutherland Shire
Link to an article containing texts to support the implementation of Asian perspectives in the Australian Curriculum.
Asia-related literary texts to support the Australian Curriculum for English.
Link to an article containing texts to support the implementation of Asian perspectives in the Australian Curriculum.
Asia-related literary texts to support the Australian Curriculum for English.
Students
Asia Kids Society
This is a free site where students can access PDFs of Asian stories, connect to Asian culture through art activities and games or learn Asian languages such as how to count in Chinese or learn to speak Hindi. There is also an 'Explore' section with interesting articles about the various Asian countries: for example learning about festivals in Mongolia, Japan or Thailand. Children can also learn how to create simple origami animals.
This is a free site where students can access PDFs of Asian stories, connect to Asian culture through art activities and games or learn Asian languages such as how to count in Chinese or learn to speak Hindi. There is also an 'Explore' section with interesting articles about the various Asian countries: for example learning about festivals in Mongolia, Japan or Thailand. Children can also learn how to create simple origami animals.
China
Time for Kids
This website contains basic facts about China plus information about tourist attractions, an audio guide to speaking a few words in Mandarin, a history timeline and view a day in the life of a Chinese student.
This website contains basic facts about China plus information about tourist attractions, an audio guide to speaking a few words in Mandarin, a history timeline and view a day in the life of a Chinese student.
National Geographic Kids
This would be a good website to visit first as it contains 30 brief cool facts about China. You'll be surprised by some of them!
This would be a good website to visit first as it contains 30 brief cool facts about China. You'll be surprised by some of them!
Kidcyber - Chinese Food
An easy to read, basic guide to Chinese food. Use it as a start to your research. If you scroll to the bottom of the page it shows you how to cite the website.
An easy to read, basic guide to Chinese food. Use it as a start to your research. If you scroll to the bottom of the page it shows you how to cite the website.
Live Science
Chinese Culture: Customs and traditions of China
Explore information under the sub-headings of religion, language, food, the Arts, customs and celebrations.
Chinese Culture: Customs and traditions of China
Explore information under the sub-headings of religion, language, food, the Arts, customs and celebrations.
World Atlas
View detailed maps, plus information about Famous Chinese, flags, symbols, geography and weather.
View detailed maps, plus information about Famous Chinese, flags, symbols, geography and weather.
DK Findout!
Type 'China' in the search bar and you'll get 46 links to pages from the DK Findout! interactive books. The information is simple to read and accompanied by high quality photographs.
Type 'China' in the search bar and you'll get 46 links to pages from the DK Findout! interactive books. The information is simple to read and accompanied by high quality photographs.
CIA World Fact Book
The site is published by the American CIA and contains extremely comprehensive, up-to-date information on many areas.
The site is published by the American CIA and contains extremely comprehensive, up-to-date information on many areas.
Chinese Clothing
Ancient Chinese clothing - this site looks at peasants, wealthy, fabrics, colours and the rules governing what they wore.
Ancient Chinese clothing - this site looks at peasants, wealthy, fabrics, colours and the rules governing what they wore.
Activity Village UK
This site has lots of links to craft activities to explore. For information about the Great Wall of China click on Chinese culture.
This site has lots of links to craft activities to explore. For information about the Great Wall of China click on Chinese culture.
History for Kids - Exploring Ancient China
Ancient Chinese art, architecture, people, religions dynasties and more.
Ancient Chinese art, architecture, people, religions dynasties and more.
Ducksters Ancient China
A comprehensive site covering dynasties, people and culture of Ancient China.
A comprehensive site covering dynasties, people and culture of Ancient China.
Pandas - South Australia zoo
There is so much information on this site: click 'Our Pandas to read about Wang Wang and Funi; or Our Exhibit to learn about the pandas natural habitat and why they are endangered. Or be filled with new facts by listening to an audio tour.
There is so much information on this site: click 'Our Pandas to read about Wang Wang and Funi; or Our Exhibit to learn about the pandas natural habitat and why they are endangered. Or be filled with new facts by listening to an audio tour.
Giant Pandas
Information from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park..
Information from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park..
Japan
Time For Kids
This website contains basic facts about Japan plus information about tourist attractions, an audio guide to speaking a few words in Japanese, a history timeline and view a day in the life of a Chinese student.
This website contains basic facts about Japan plus information about tourist attractions, an audio guide to speaking a few words in Japanese, a history timeline and view a day in the life of a Chinese student.
Kids Web Japan
A cool site with information about Japan's geography, history, sport, education, language, food, manga and so much more.
A cool site with information about Japan's geography, history, sport, education, language, food, manga and so much more.
Activity Village UK
Facts about Japan and links to lots of craft activities. Try the Japanese Culture link to find out about origami and samurais.
Facts about Japan and links to lots of craft activities. Try the Japanese Culture link to find out about origami and samurais.
National Geographic Kids
Read this site to find out 10 facts about pandas
Read this site to find out 10 facts about pandas
Teachers - Websites for Asian Perspectives
Our Asian Stories
This site is "an initiative of the NSW Department of Education and Communities. The site aims to support primary and secondary teachers in:
This site is "an initiative of the NSW Department of Education and Communities. The site aims to support primary and secondary teachers in:
- understanding the importance of teaching about Asia
- developing the skills required to successfully interact with people from other cultures
- infusing studies of Asia across the curriculum
- teaching the languages of China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Korea."
Asian Education Foundation
AEF provides school leaders, teachers and schools with innovative programmes, curriculum resources and networks to support the achievement of Asia literacy for all students in Australian schools.
"Implementing an Asia-focused Australian Curriculum is the most effective way to achieve Asia literacy for all students. AEF provides a comprehensive suite of teaching and learning resources across all year levels and subject/learning areas to support this.
Subject/learning area pages comprise information about curriculum, resources and professional learning. Digital resource lists, Australian Curriculum-aligned learning sequences, recommended links, subject associations, illustrations of practice, sample maps, professional learning modules and more are contained within these pages."
AEF provides school leaders, teachers and schools with innovative programmes, curriculum resources and networks to support the achievement of Asia literacy for all students in Australian schools.
"Implementing an Asia-focused Australian Curriculum is the most effective way to achieve Asia literacy for all students. AEF provides a comprehensive suite of teaching and learning resources across all year levels and subject/learning areas to support this.
Subject/learning area pages comprise information about curriculum, resources and professional learning. Digital resource lists, Australian Curriculum-aligned learning sequences, recommended links, subject associations, illustrations of practice, sample maps, professional learning modules and more are contained within these pages."