Stories About Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage | Vooks Narrated Storybooks

books fried rice and marinara young Mikey M danced to his front door Mom, do you know I'm about to turn four? All my friends are coming to play and then piles of presents will fill our driveway, we'll have a huge cake and my your friends will say your party was perfect hip hip hooray birthday Mikey's mom smiled when she finished her speech your plan is fantastic my little one and sweet Peach, but no celebration is complete until you've decided what you want to eat. His statement stopped him in his tracks. Track the food, of course, every party needs snacks.

Pizza is something everyone loves, but tacos fit in your hand like a glove. Hamburgers and hot dogs are easy to eat, but pork and fried rice are such a nice treat that I needed a guru, a reliable type of food. maybe my grandmothers can help me decide What food did you eat for your birthday Babu in Hong Kong? Chinese food is all we knew, hey, Nona, do you know what food you would choose? My roots are Italian, so pasta can't lose, oh Chinese or Italian. both are delicious he remembered his cousin's birthday dishes for the twins rice and spices on their special day foreigner ate a whole tray Mikey was stuck not sure what to do couldn't decide between the two hmm ravioli or dumplings linguine or lo mein All of these options were damaging his brain Focaccia burrata caprese risotto dim sum or wontons or noodles and shrimp his mind was a jumble of possible options he heard both sides of his family's voices he ran to the park to get his best friend out of his head Sophia found him and said, are you okay, Mikey?

Why so much sadness? I can't choose a dish and my party is tomorrow. Your mom is Italian. Your dad is Chinese. You are free to choose food as unique as you like. Why not have both? a Chinese-Italian mix too scandalous for all ages, yes Sophia, that's it. I don't have to choose one. He went straight home. There was a lot to do. Hey? Mikey burst into the kitchen. I'm ready to choose. I have made my decision. It's not a trick, I want fried rice and marinara sauce, that will be different, but hey, you're the boss, he woke up the next day nervous, his friends were coming over, well, they like foreign food.

Mikey's mother fried a wok full of rice and vegetables, two eggs and some spices, his friends helped crush the tomatoes, drizzled the sauce to complete the new dish. Mikey tensed while his friends tried it, but the fusion of flavors lit up everyone's faces despite their doubts about the food. unbeatable the fried rice was tasty the sweet marinara tasted more delicious than they thought the whole party shouted up front it's good Chelsea's Chinese New Year chapter one getting ready Hi I'm Chelsea my family is getting ready for a big holiday it's called Chinese New Year Dad says it's the most important holiday in China some people also celebrate it in the United States like me I'm sure we're busy right now we're cleaning last year's bad luck from our house so let's go buy some new red clothes Dad says red is for good luck people in China have celebrated Chinese New Year for thousands of years in that country people call it Spring Festival Lunar New Year is another name for the festive chapter 2. a night we have worked on It's hard to prepare now that it's the night before Chinese New Year, even the kids stayed up very late this night last year.

I fell asleep too early this year. I want to stay awake for all the fun. The date of Chinese New Year changes every year. In an ancient Chinese calendar it always begins at a time of the month when we cannot see the moon from Earth, the festival always takes place in January or February friends, we are at my grandparents' house for this big night, there are uncles, aunts and cousins ​​everywhere talking and playing all this laughter helps me keep my eyes open family is the most important part of Chinese New Year some families also honor the gods and their ancestors the ancestors are family members from long ago some people show honor by praying some people put offerings of food, thank you, we have a big feast, there is fish and lots of other food, then everyone makes dumplings, they are like little pillows cooked with delicious things inside, foreign.

I can't wait to eat them at midnight, some families make sure to leave some fish for leftovers they think they will have extra food later for the new year snack the fireworks light up the sky it's midnight thank you Chinese New Year is here and I'm still Awake people tell different

stories

about how the Chinese New Year started tells a story of a monster called Nien Nian appeared at New Year's time, but people learned how to scare Nyan. The monster was afraid of loud noises and the color red. Chapter 3. Even more fun. I finally fall asleep in the morning.

Mom and Dad give me a The red envelope falls out when I open it Chinese New Year really is a lucky time. Children usually receive many red envelopes during Chinese New Year. The envelopes come from adult relatives, family, friends or neighbors. Chinese New Year doesn't stop after one day. We keep celebrating We wear our new clothes We bring gifts to friends and family We try to be very good This is starting the year well Foreign Chinese New Year used to last 15 days Some people no longer celebrate that long but many people still celebrate it for several days The parade from chapter four The Chinese New Year ends with a big hurray.

My favorite part is the Dragon. Dad says dragons are lucky. Many Chinese men moved to California in the mid-19th century. They brought the Chinese New Year celebration to California. In modern times, the city of. San Francisco has a large Chinese New Year parade every year, the Parade dragon is over 200 feet and 6 meters long. I guess Chinese New Year is finally over, yes, but I'm lucky enough to last until next year. Popo Lucky Chinese New Year people spend 15 days preparing. and then 15 days celebrating Chinese New Year Chinese New Year is like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day all together, they came from China to celebrate with us in the United States.

She says Chinese New Year is a time for new beginnings, making sure we have a lucky new year is serious business. Papua is here to help me not take dirt out of the front star because that means a family member will live swish popo says I need to sweep away the bad luck before the new year comes. I swept the dirt towards him in the middle I took out the back door. I also clean up my crying little brother. Popo says I'm naughty, so she sweeps him again and rubs her big Buddha belly spray on him.

I make sure my window is super clean. Popo says the windows should be clean. impeccable Good fortune needs to flow I'll finish tomorrow popo says you can't clean up on New Year's Day you'd end up with good luck popo has a lot of fun rules about luck I want to be lucky, but follow his things and his things It's hard work, yeah, Open the windows and doors at midnight to allow the old year to live. Drip Drop bum prepares my bath, she reminds me to wash my hair. I'll wash it tomorrow poop says your good luck will wash the drain along with the soapy water I want good luck I wash my hair three times well poor guy tells me to finish washing my little brother's hair but I only wash it once plus I don't use it so much shampoo I'm old so I need more luck, wash your hair on New Year's Day.

Sizzle sizzle makes a whole chicken so our family stays together. She prepares a fish with the head and tail still on so we have a good start and a good finish. help make our wishes come true I cross my fingers this adds extra American luck I drink Coca-Cola and eat lucky foods the last dish that poops is noodles I want to cut my noodles in half poop says the noodles should be long and intact like life like two bowls Full of my long noodles. I also eat my little brother's noodles. I want to live forever. I hang red and use banners and paper cutouts to ensure a flow of good luck and invite a good mood.

Red paper and gold ribbons surround me. I'm busy. making and gluing Chinese paper cutouts bought a special Chinatown sign that says it's the Chinese word for luck. She puts this on her door and says I'm going to hang this upside down. The Chinese words for upside down sound like reaching, so this means luck. has arrived don't sleep on New Year's Eve your parents will live longer sip sip I drink green tea so I can stay awake after midnight I don't sleep for me it says I have to welcome the new year the sound of the word sleep in Chinese it's like the word problem we don't want any problems in the new year I see popo and mom playing mahjong with friends click click the little blocks move fast even my little brother stays up finally here it's Chinese New Year's Day Happy Chinese New Year Me I make a fuss running around the house the first person you meet today and the first words you hear are important for your fortune in the new year I want to be the first person my little brother sees today I whisper in Hiku's ear and behind Hiku's back oh no Greeting people in their rooms, it's unfortunate.

I take him to the living room where papaya makes food offerings to our ancestors on Chinese New Year's Day. Popo says I can't say bad words or think bad things. I get the bad thoughts out of my head, but it's very hard work, especially when my little brother is around. I don't call her bad names, even when she pulls my hair. This is the most difficult rule to follow. Hmm, don't cut off your good thoughts. Do not use knives or scissors on this day. my new red Chong Sam my little brother wears his new red chongshan poo she says these are traditional Chinese clothes she says children should have new clothes and shoes for the new year she also says we should wear red to keep bad luck away because it is the color of Fire places red ribbons in my braids she puts a red Chinese hat on my little brother I wear her hat when the papaya does not look where the red is gas Away from spirits and monsters do not use the number four in Chinese language the character for four sounds like the character of death I fill a small plate with four almond cookies she adds four plus four she is unlucky but eight is lucky she counts everything she adds or subtracts to avoid the number four my little brother has four teeth I draw him a tooth extra and I stick it to his mouth thanks popo says that evil spirits will make an exception for baby teeth I stick it to his diaper in case you make loud noises the firecrackers the dragon dances and I go and scare away the evil spirits pow pow shot small firecrackers crack at our front door to keep evil spirits away dragons scare away evil spirits I throw the loud cracks at his feet he says only big girls can do this my little brother has to wait until he's older I throw cracks at him extras, keep the leaves and terms in fruits and give them to married people means they will have a long marriage thanks poo and I distribute oranges to family and friends we are giving them happiness and wealth as a couple because I want to be happy and rich I eat more because I want to be super happy and super yummy popo tells me to give oranges to mom and dad I use my new red marker to write them a card I almost had a heart attack there is no red ink I thought red was luck popo says Riding in red ink means you want me that person leaves.

I think about writing a card to my little brother in red ink. There are thrusts all over my Chong. My favorite part of Chinese New Year is receiving the lycy. These are the lucky red envelopes. Give lysi to young children of married family members and your own parents lysi have crisp new dollar bills inside. I'm glad I'm not an adult because I don't have to give away any lysi from all the relatives I have. a mountain of red envelopes paul says i have to put them under my pillow so i don't have bad foreign dreams to give licey children because papaya says happiness comes in pairs finally the house is quiet a lucky new year it's hard work i put in two red envelopes next to my little brother's head I whispered to him you're lucky to have me thank you Cora Cooks pancit Cora loved cooking loved drinking in the smells of mom's Filipino dishes Cora's older sisters and brother often helped with the cooking They got adult jobs like shredding chicken or mixing noodles in the pot, they cut vegetables and rolled lumpia into little egg roll shapes.

Cora had children's jobs, like drawing pictures on the flower or licking spoons. She longed to be a real cook. One day Cora's three older sisters headed to the mall, her brother splashed outside with his baseball glove now was her chance Cora poked her head around the corner hmm, what are we going to do today? Mom wiped her hands on the front of her red apron, put her hands on her hips, but would you like to ask Mom today in her buttery voice? Cora was surprised that Mom let her decide. She squeezed her upturned nose.In the world little Harriet didn't like being told what to do except because she had dark skin, that's exactly what happened all day in 1849 Harriet ran north towards Freedom, she also helped others escape.

People called their secret road the foreign Underground Railroad Lincoln, make sure you put your feet in the right place and then stand your ground, with poor aim, I saw many people working as slaves in America no one could agree on whether that It was good or bad. He became president in 1863. He signed a document that said all slaves would be free. A lot of people were angry, but Abe knew it was the right thing to do. Susan B. Anthony's failure is impossible. Little Susan wanted to vote for her leaders like boys could, but that was illegal for girls.

Susan tried to vote once but was arrested. Susan spent her entire life telling people that everyone should be treated equally. She finally got the word out that things had to change in 1920. Women in America getting the right to vote Mahatma Gandhi should be the change you want to see in the world. Little Gandhi liked to settle things peacefully. Britain tried to make its people pay for Saul Gandhi did not fight. Instead, in 1930 he walked 241 miles. to the coast to get their own salt Gandhi's peaceful march helped thousands of people realize that India should be its own country and that there is no need to fight to make a difference Rosa Parks I believe we are here on planet Earth to live grow get up and do what we can to make this world a better place.

Little Rosen realized that white-skinned children could ride the bus to school. The dark-skinned children had to walk to an older building. In 1955, a city bus driver told Rosa to give her seat to a light-skinned man. Rosa said he went to jail. Many people stopped riding the bus. 381 days. Leaders decided to change the rules. Martin Luther King Jr. It's always the right time to do the right thing Little Martin went shopping for shoes with his father, the owner, he said we only serve people with dark skin in the back, instead they left the store one day Martin gave a speech about how we should treat each other.

I have a dream, said foreigner, he wanted everyone to be judged by their hearts, not by the color of their skin in 1964, American leaders finally agreed that Martin was right Malala yusufsai a child a teacher a book a pen can change the world by Little Malala loved to learn, but in Pakistan where she lived, some people said that girls shouldn't go to school, some people tried to stop her. The brave Malala did not back down. She insisted that all children should go to school in 2014, when she was 17 years old. Malala.became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize these heroes rose up to make a difference in the world what kind of hero will you be little heroes inventors who changed the world Kai loon little Kai liked to see the wasps make their delicate mess with bamboo strips ad105 Kai gathered small pieces of bark, old rags and fishing nets, mixed them, pressed the mixture and immersed it in water.

Foreign press, so Kai had invented the first piece of paper. Johannes Gutenberg as a new star that will spread the darkness of ignorance and shine among men a hitherto unknown light Little Johannes lived in a time when almost no one had books because it took too long to write copies by hand around 1439 Johannes in metal letters on a block ink and paper Johannes created the first printing press that could print thousands of pages in a short time ideas began to spread throughout the world Leonardo da Vinci learning never exhausts the mind little Leonardo was curious about everything that he saw he measured he wrote he wondered he drew plans for machines that became a reality hundreds of years later like a submarine bicycle and helicopter with his greatest tool a brush Leonardo invented ways of painting that made him the most famous artist in the world Thomas Edison our greatest weakness lies In giving up the surest way to succeed is to always try one more time Thomas was always reading and asking questions one question was why should I use dirty, smelly gas lamps to light my house at night.

He began playing with light bulbs in 1879, after hundreds of failed attempts, he finally found a way to keep one lit. all over the world uses electricity to see in the dark Louis Pasteur to know how to ask the question is the first step towards discovery little Louis lived when no one really knew why people got sick using his microscope he looked and looked and looked for the answer finally Louis discovered something that no one else could see: germs. He discovered that if you boiled them, germs would disappear in 1885. Louis learned that germs could also protect people from then on.

Louie's vaccines have saved millions of lives. Marie Curie There is nothing to fear in life. Just to be understood, little Marie loved to study elements, materials that come from Earth, she tested a special rock until she found a strange bright blue light, what could it be? Marie had discovered a new element, radium. The Dr. soon discovered that radium could combat mortals. cancers in 1903 Marie was the first woman to win a foreign Nobel Prize Brothers, isn't it surprising that all these secrets were preserved for so many years just so that we could discover them? Little Wilburn Orville were brothers who one day liked Tinker with the machines. their father brought home a toy helicopter that he flew they also wanted to fly they studied the wings the tail and everything they needed to know about plane crashes it never discouraged them for long finally in 1903 they flew the first airplane Grace Murray Hopper if you have it's a good idea and you know it's going to work, go ahead and do it.

Little Grace loved learning about math, science, and cool gadgets. Once she took apart seven alarm clocks just to see how the gears worked, when she grew up Grace discovered how to program a room-sized computer to respond to human language, not just numerical codes, now people around the world can use computers all the days. These heroes imagined and invented a better world. What kind of hero will you be if you don't have books? What are you waiting for? because it's a kid-safe, ad-free library full of

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