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Wendy Woodfill, Children's and World Languages Selector for the Hennepin County Library, recommends the following with Hmong characters and themes.

 
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Dia's Story Cloth

Dia's Story Cloth—Dia Cha

A Hmong woman recounts her family's wartime displacement, during which she was forced to flee to a refugee camp in Thailand, in an account illustrated by a traditional Hmong embroidered story cloth Ages 5 to 8.

Postcards from Buster: Buster and the Dance Contest

Postcards from Buster: Buster and the Dance Contest—Marc Tolen Brown

Buster sends postcards to his friends back home when he and his father visit an international food festival in Wisconsin, where he meets six girls who will be performing a traditional Hmong dance. Ages 4 to 8.

Pa Lia's First Day

Pa Lia's First Day — Michelle Edwards

Between getting her only possible friend in trouble and not finding her classroom on time, Pa Lia is having a terrible first day and must find a way to turn things around . . . and quickly. Ages 6 to 9.

Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr!: A Folktale from the Hmong People of Laos

Nine-in_One, Grr! Grr!: A Folktale from the Hmong People of Laos— Blia Xiong

When the great god Shao promises Tiger nine cubs each year, Bird comes up with a clever trick to prevent the land from being overrun by tigers. Ages 6 to 9.

Many Ideas Open the Way: A Collection of Hmong Proverbs

Many Ideas Open the Way: A Collection of Hmong Proverbs—Randy Snook

A collection of twenty proverbs from the Hmong tradition, such as "The mouth tastes food, the heart tastes words," which represent the culture and heritage of this South Asian people. All ages.

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella—Jewell Reinhardt Coburn

Despite a cruel stepmother's schemes, Jouanah, a young Hmong girl, finds true love and happiness with the aid of her dead mother's spirit and a pair of special sandals. Ages 6 to 9.

Mali Under the Night Sky: A Lao Story of Home

Mali Under the Night Sky: A Lao Story of Home— Youme Landowne

Mali under the Night Sky is the true story of Laotian American artist Malichansouk Kouanchao, whose family was forced by civil war to flee Laos when she was five. Ages 5 to 8.

Mai Ya's Long Journey

Mai Ya's Long Journey— Sheila Cohen

Mai Ya’s Long Journey relates the personal story of Mai Ya Xiong and her family. Their journey from the Ban Vinai refugee camp in Thailand to a new life in Madison, Wisconsin, is extraordinary, yet typical of the stories of the thousands of Hmong people who live in the United States. Ages 6 to 12.

Little Cricket

Little Cricket— Jackie Brown

After the upheaval of the Vietnam War reaches them, twelve-year-old Kia and her Hmong family flee from the mountains of Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand and eventually to the alien world of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Ages 8 to 12.

Long Road to Freedom: Journey of the Hmong

Long Road to Freedom: Journey of the Hmong— Linda Barr

Discusses the history of the Hmong people, describing life before and after the Vietnam War. Ages 8 to 12.

Folk Stories of the Hmong: Peoples of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam

Folk Stories of the Hmong: Peoples of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam— Norma J. Livo and Dia Cha

The first collection of authentic Hmong tales to be published in the English language, this book focuses on 27 captivating tales including creation myths; how/why stories; and tales of love, magic, and fun. All ages.

Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl's Story

Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl's Story— Pegi Dietz Shea

After ten years in a refugee camp in Thailand, thirteen-year-old Mai Yang travels to Providence, Rhode Island, where her Americanized cousins introduce her to pizza, shopping, and beer, while her grandmother and new friends keep her connected to her Hmong heritage. Ages 12 to 15.

Cooking from the Heart: The Hmong Kitchen in America

Cooking from the Heart: The Hmong Kitchen in America— Sami Scripter

Collection of traditional Hmong recipes which have been adapted for American kitchens. For Adults.

The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir

The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir— Kao Kalia Yang

Yang writes about her journey from refuge camp to America and the hardships and joys of her family's struggle to adapt in a strange culture while holding onto traditions that are passed down from her beloved grandmother. For Adults.

A People's History of the Hmong A People's History of the Hmong — Paul Hillmer

A rich narrative history of the worldwide community of Hmong people, exploring their cultural practices, war and refugee camp experiences, and struggles and triumphs as citizens of new countries. For Adults.

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