A Kid's Guide to Asian American History: More than 70 Activities (A Kid's Guide series) [Paperback]

Valerie Petrillo (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: A Kid's Guide series

Hands-on activities, games, and crafts introduce children to the diversity of Asian American cultures and teach them about the people, experiences, and events that have shaped Asian American history. This book is broken down into sections covering American descendents from various Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Topics include the history of immigration from Asian countries, important events in U.S. history, sidebars on famous Asian Americans, language lessons, and activities that highlight arts, games, food, clothing, unique celebrations, and folklore. Kids can paint a calligraphy banner, practice Tai Chi, fold an origami dog or cat, build a Japanese rock garden, construct a Korean kite, cook bibingka, and create a chalk rangoli. A time line, glossary, and recommendations for Web sites, books, movies, and museums round out this multicultural guide.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-7–A collection of games, crafts, and activities from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, India, and Southeast Asia. Arranged by nationalities, each section gives a historical overview of the particular group and their immigration to America. The author touches on topics such as religion, clothing, food, racism, and contributions to society. Offset text boxes highlight prominent as well as lesser-known Asian Americans. The section on China includes recipes for honeydew bubble tea and Nian Gao (Chinese New Year cake); craft projects for paper cutting, lai see (red envelope for Chinese New Year), and a dragon lantern. Projects representing Japanese Americans include origami, face painting (kabuki style), and ikebana (flower arranging). The historical information includes discussion of the various Japanese festivals and internment camps. Similar projects and activities are included for the other countries. Some of the recipes and crafts note that adult supervision is required, and are fairly complex. The writing contains broad generalizations at times, such as Tea is very important to Chinese Americans, and it is served at every meal. Sometimes terms are not explained. When discussing religion in India, it is noted that Asian Indians may also be Christian or Zoroastrian, but the latter term is not defined or included in the glossary. The organization is at times confusing, as historical and current facts are interspersed with the activities in a haphazard manner. This is an ambitious offering that may fill a need in specialized collections, and useful for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.–DeAnn Okamura, San Mateo County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Despite this book's title, history takes a back seat to the more than 90 activities loosely connected to Asian Americans, including those of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, East Indian, and Southeast Asian descent. Brief historical and cultural information provides the context for each craft, game, food, or event, but there is not sufficient material here for student reports. No sources are cited and the lack of an index limits access to specific information. The various creative and entertaining activities, on the other hand, will add pizzazz to social studies curricula. Instructions are clear and indicate where adult supervision is required; most are accompanied by simple line illustrations, not all seen. Activities include a Japanese rock garden, Indian hand painting, and Chinese puppetry. The appended resources include a wide range of supplemental information that will be of particular interest and value to teachers. Linda Perkins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (May 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556526342
• ISBN-13: 978-1556526343
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #722,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Resource, March 24, 2010

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Nora - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Kid's Guide to Asian American History: More than 70 Activities (A Kid's Guide series) (Paperback)

This exhaustive reference contains dozens of easy, fun projects for kids, interspersed with fascinating nuggets of historical information. Great for teachers, as well as the children in your life - Asian or not. You'll want to incorporate some of these fun activities and traditions into your family holiday celebrations.