Fang

Browsing through this beautifully illustrated picture book feels like wandering through a stunning gallery of Chinese gongbi (工笔画) artworks! What makes it even more delightful is discovering that all the lifelike figures and scenery are magically brought to life with digital techniques. The story itself is warm and heartening, gently showing readers of all ages the power of self-confidence and mutual trust. Big Enough—check it out today! -Fang

He is the energetic boy who is always told by the grown-ups to 小心 (be careful). He is the big brother who encourages Little Sister to fall as she learns how to walk. Though his body is small, inside lives a big heart: a powerful and fearless Red Fire Warrior. In this lovely picture book. get to know the story of this spirited little boy, and listen to his heartfelt longing for independence and trust. This is a fully bilingual (not translated) book told in English and Chinese. Young readers will absolutely feel the resonance of self- identity, while grown-ups might get a little reminder that overprotectiveness isn’t always the best thing for little ones. -Fang

I learned this tradition from my mom. She always did and/or said something special to honor her mom on her own birthday, from when she was still young to the age of being a grandma. Not sure from which year during my childhood I started to repeat the same thing to her. And magically as the years go by, my own children started to understand how struggling moms can be when they give birth to a baby. Yes baby’s birthday is also mom’s suffering day. It’s the time to celebrate, and to appreciate as well. I’m very delighted to read about the similar Korean tradition of “miyeok guk” (birthday soup) in this heartwarming story book. Don’t forget to try that soup recipe after reading! It’s yummy! -Fang

Look at this little helper who did super job touring and advertising Grammie’s house for sale! He even added himself as the last, but the most important selling point: a new friend! I already fell in love with the house, and of course, the book, too! -Fang

Follow Karl's 15 adventures in Beijing! You don't want to miss the famous snack street where people taste yummy Chinese food: stinky tofu, Beijing Ducks and more! In this fun bilingual picture book, local children's author Dan (Sharon) Song shares her curiosity and exploration of the Chinese culture, cuisine, and language. -Fang

A very funny story about silly Sohee and the unique Korean Lunar New Year tradition: Each bowl of tteokguk (the special rice cake soup for New Year's Day) you eat will make you one year older! It's always fun to explore different festive tradtions around the world! -Fang

One of the top picks in ICPL's weekly Chinese Bilingual Storytime! While reading aloud and singing along to the sweet family-themed picture book, kids and parents can enjoy a big feast of authentic Chinese food. And subtly, page by page, they learn all the Chinese words of the whole big family! -Fang

The Amy Wu picture book series is the perfect combination of lyrical storytelling and vibrant illustration. They tell the “real life" adventure stories that happen to every children of every immigrant families in their everyday growing-up. Check out this heartwarming story about Amy and her new friend from China, Lin! Lin feels warmly welcomed by Amy's yummy and jolly dumpling party, and a very special banner saying 欢迎你 (Welcome). Both kids learn a powerful lesson of inclusion through courageous and creative efforts! -Fang

It’s harvest season! It’s thanksgiving season! This wonderful nonfiction picture book showcased harvest celebrations in 12 countries around the world. Each unique culture follows different festive traditions in different times of the year, while still delivering a unified warm message showing appreciation for the food, the land, and the people who work hard to raise families. I love reading the lyrical, rhyming text as well as gazing at all the mouthwatering food illustrations in this book. -Fang

Winter is here on Pumpernickel Farm.. Snow is coming soon as well. Are animal friends all going to hibernate? Of course not! When the farmer isn't looking, they catch snowflakes on their tongues! You think that is the silliest joke on the farm? Definitely not! If you read through the story to the end, you will laugh out loud to see that when the animals aren't looking, Farmer Pumpernickel is also catching snowflakes on his tongue! This lovely winter book is so sweet and delightful that I just can't wait to share it with all children in our Book to Art Club scheduled on Dec.26. We will be sharing the joy of reading and laughing. We will also try catching snowflakes on our tongues while everybody is looking! Mark your calendar and come join in the fun! -Fang

A lovely rhyming picture book to read aloud with your little athletes! Tennis champion and advocate Naomi Osaka celebrates sportsmanship by sharing all the ways that champs play and highlighting that "We are all champs in our own Way. Being yourself is the way champs play!" -Fang

Who won't be allured by the spashing fun in the water, and the power of freedom to discover the wonder of the whole wide world? With lots of joys and lots of imaginations, this new picture book makes a perfect read for little swimmers before they dare to take the first dip. -Fang

Thanks to the generous donation from the Iowa City Area Chinese Association, ICPL acquired this whole series of the bilingual Historical Record of Chinese Americans throughout their 100+ years of exploration and adventure on this land. Tough beginning, fearless fighting, powerful contributions, all the stories documented here are informational, enlightening and inspiring. This series is definitely a good read for Chinese Americans community as well as for other groups who are keen to learn about their stories as an integral part of the whole United States. -Fang

Iris Chang will be remembered forever for her in-depth documentation of this horrifying episode during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Why couldn’t we forget the history? because “those who failed to learn from history are condemned to repeat it’. -Fang

The novel is thought provoking to parents of young adults like me. It is not easy to see that line between being “adequately” protective and “over” protective. It is even harder to let go or forgive when tensions rise between loved ones. But there’s always hope with the backing of true love and empathy. -Fang

With her personal experience and empathetic analysis, the author presented one of the few factual narratives about the elite descendants from North Korea’s ruling class, about how did they shape and carry that kind of collectivist culture from the dictatorship of Kim’s reign. -Fang

From a female perspective, the author took me to a fairly relaxed tour around Italy between the lines, which is a good alternative with all the pandemic limitations. I really like the way how she enjoyed herself with different lifestyles. -Fang

I visited the Peabody Essex Museum together with my close family and my extended family. That was a wonderful memory as precious as Nainai’s blanket. Strongly recommend this beautiful picture book that is well mixed with separation and togetherness, feelings and facts. -Fang

The eyes that kiss in the corners deliver exotic stories and the same kind of true love from generation to generation. This beautiful book with its vibrant illustrations and lyrical prose is a gorgeous celebration of self-love and family heritage. You will definitely be fascinated by those mysterious stories hidden behind Amah's (the grandma's) eyes that kiss in the corners. -Fang

Sing along with this delicious picture book as your family gathers round during the hilarious holiday season! Food and songs, laughter and love, the forever theme of holidays all over the world! -Fang

Another joyful picture book about sharing food, friendship and world culture. Very interesting people, very inclusive neighborhood, and what’s more attractive, very delicious dumplings from different countries! I can’t wait to try them all! -Fang

When yoga meets Taiji, when Meimei (the little sister) and Gonggong ( the grandpa) teach and learn from each other, it is fun, beautiful, and harmonious. -Fang

What a beautiful metaphor! Like feathery dandelion seeds, numerous immigrants and refugees fly far away and plant their roots into the welcoming ground of America. No matter how hard the journey is, we always raise our faces to the sun. Then we blossom in our new home with a strong will, a brave mind, and gratitude. Please listen to our hearts in this touching and poetic book: Like a Dandelion. -Fang

I love to read all about pandas! And this is one of the best! Both Ellie and Ping are so loving and smart when they find the beauty of friendship and new inspiration. -Fang

With captivate illustration and inspiring stories, Nie’s graphic novel shows and tells those “Everyday Wonder” about Beijing in the good old days. Passion, imagination and love will always go beyond any physical limitation and down through generations. -Fang