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Ethnic Story Books
(Quilting or Textile Related) 
Catergories:
| African | Hawaiian | Korean |
| African-American | Hmong | Latin / South American |
| Chinese | Japanese | Native American |
AFRICAN STORY BOOKS
Ahiagble, Gilbert and Louise Meyer. Master Weaver from Ghana. 1998. All ages. [cover picture]
"Bobbo", is a contemporary male weaver from Ghana whose ancestors have been weavers for generations. He explains how his people maintain the tradition of weaving, and the importance of Kente cloth in their Ewe culture. Through the eyes of his young son, Kweku, we see family and community life in the small fishing village of Denu. Kweku learns that in life, just as in weaving, "one thread is weak, while threads woven together are strong."The first draft of this book can be viewed online.
Click Here to Order Published VersionAngelou, Maya. Kofi and His Magic. Ages 4-8
Kofi, who lives in the West African town of Bonwire, introduces young readers to a new culture as he takes them on an unforgettable journey from Bonwire to northern Africa, to his school, to a festival, and to the ocean. They also share in his daily life, including the weaving of Kente cloth. Click Here to Order
Chocolate, Debbi and John Ward. Kente Colors.1996. Ages 3-6. [cover picture]
Vividly illustrated, this is a rhyming description of the Kente cloth costumes of the Ashanti and Ewe people of Ghana and a portrayal of the symbolic colors and patterns. Available in several versions:
Click Here to Order Paperback or Click Here to order HardcoverMcDermott, Gerald. Anansi the Spider. Henry Holt: 1972. [cover picture]
A Caldecott Honor Book for illustration, this book retells the traditional Ashanti tale of Anansi and his family. Striking, bold illustrations capture the eyes, as the colors and patterns evoke traditional African designs. Ages 5 and up. Click Here to Order
Musgrove, Margaret. Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions. Age 9-12 [cover picture]
In "A is for Ashanti", readers learn about how Kente cloth is made by the Ashanti.
From A Reader: An A-to-Z alphabet book for children in which the examples for the letters are twenty-six different tribes in Africa, exhibiting some of their varied traditions and customs. Hence, children learn of other peoples. It was illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon and it won the 1977 Caldecott Medal for best illustration in a book for children.
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Counsins, Linda. Huggy Bean and the Origin of the Magic Kente Cloth. Ages 4-8 [cover picture not available] Click Here to Order
Ford, Juwanda. A Kente Dress for Kenya. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
Kenya and her grandmother come up with an idea for something special to show and tell on Parents’ Night at school. Click Here to Order
Jonas, Ann. The Quilt. Ages 4-8.
A small African-American girl is overjoyed with the new patchwork quilt her parents have made. As she sleeps, it comes alive, turning into a fantastical dreamscape she must enter in order to find her beloved stuffed dog. An ALA Notable Children’s book. Click here to order.
Lyons, Mary E. Stitching Stars: The Story Quilts of Harriet Powers. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1993. Ages 9-12. [cover picture]
Beautifully illustrated biography of Harriet Powers and her Bible quilts. Click Here to Order Hardcover Version or Click Here to Order Paperback Version
Lyons, Mary E. Talking with Tebe: Clementine Hunter, Memory Artist. Ages 9-12.[cover picture]
Biography of folk artist Clementine Hunter who died at the age of 101 and produced hundreds of paintings and quilts during her life; 75 of which were spent working on a plantation.Click Here to Order
Mitchell, Rhonda. The Talking Cloth. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
A young girl learns about heritage through the colors and symbols on Adinkra Cloth she discovers while visiting her aunt. Click Here to Order
Ringgold, Faith. Dinner at Aunt Corrine’s House. Ages 4-8.
The story is based on Faith Ringgold’s "The Dinner Quilt". During a family reunion, paintings of 12 historical figures come to life and interact with a young girl. [cover picture]
Click Here to order Paperback Version or Click Here to order Hardcover VersionRinggold, Faith. My Grandmother’s Story Quilt. Ages 9-12. [cover picture not yet available – PUBLICATION DATE Scheduled Sept. 1999] Click Here for Advance Order
Ringgold, Faith. Talking to Faith Ringgold. Ages 4-8
This is an account of Faith Ringgold’s life and work told in an innovative, interactive format. Presented in short sections, such as "Introducing Myself," "Growing Up," and "Being an Artist," the author comments on her achievements, how she developed her style, and what some of her works mean to her. Ideal for use in the classroom or at home, the book also contains suggestions for activities and projects. Click Here to Order
Ringgold, Faith. Tar Beach. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
Based upon her quilt "Tar Beach", Faith Ringgold has written the story of a young girl growing up in Harlem in the 1930’s who dreams she can fly and break free of the harsh realities of life. Beautifully illustrated.
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Hong, Lily Toy. The Empress and the Silkworm. 1995. Ages 5-9. [cover picture]
A fictionalized account of how the Empress of China discovered silk and made it into beautiful cloth. Click Here to Order
Marchant, Brian and Heather.A Boy Named Chong. Green Bay, Wisconsin: Project Chong, 1992.
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Guback, Georgia. Luka’s Quilt. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1994. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
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Luka is terribly disappointed with the colors of the traditional Hawaiian quilt that her grandmother makes for her. A wise woman, her grandmother finds a solution that satisfies Luka yet maintains tradition. Click Here to Order
Rumford, James. When Silver Needles Swam: The Story of Tutu’s Quilt. 1998. Ages 4-8.
[cover picture]
A Hawaiian grandmother, her family, and neighbors make a Hawaiian flag quilt as the Republic of Hawaii is annexed to the United States in 1898. Click Here to Order
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Anderson, June. Mayko’s Story: A Hmong Textile Artist in California. San Francisco, California: California Academy of sciences, 1996.
Dia Cha and Joyce Herold. Dia’s Story Cloth. Lee and Low Books: 1996. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
The story of a family’s flight from their homeland as it is captured in the exquisite and detailed embroidery of a traditional Hmong story cloth.
Click Here to OrderShea, Pegi Deitz. The Whispering Cloth: A Refugee’s Story. Boyd Mills Press: 1995. Ages 4-8. [cover picture not available]
A young girl in a refugee camp is taught how to stitch the traditional pa’ndab story cloths by her grandmother. She then creates a one that tells her own story.
Click Here to OrderXiong, Blia and Cathy Spagnoli. Nine-in-One Grr! Grr!: A Folktale from the Hmong People of Laos. San Francisco, California: Children’s Book Press, 1992. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
Hmong folk tale. Vividly designed, with each page bordered in geometric patterns, the book is illustrated in the tradition of Hmong embroidered story cloths.
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Bodkin, Odds. The Crane Wife. 1998. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
A retelling of the traditional Japanese tale about a poor sail maker who gains, then loses, a beautiful, mysterious wife skilled at weaving magical sails. Click Here to Order
Martin, Rafe. Mysterious Tales of Japan. 1996. Ages 9 and up. [cover picture]
Ten stories including two tales about Japanese weavers: "The Snow Woman" and "The Crane Maiden. Click Here to Order
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Adams, Ed and Dong Ho Choi. Herdboy and Weaver. 1981. Ages 4-8. Charles E Tuttle Co; ISBN: 0804814708 [cover picture not available – PUBLISHER OUT OF STOCK]
The happiness of two Koreans is endangered by their inattention to responsibility, so the King of Heavens decides to separate them.
Mii-ae, Lee and Yoo Ae-ro. The Two Love Stars. 1997. Ages 5-9.
The happiness of the Korean herdboy, Kyonu, and the weaver, Chingnyo, are endangered by their inattention to responsibility, so the King of Heavens decides to separate them.
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LATIN / SOUTH AMERICAN STORY BOOKS
Castaneda, Omar and E. Sanchez. Abuela’s Weave. 1993. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
A young Guatemalan girl and her grandmother grow closer as they weave some special creations and make a trip to the market in hope of selling them.
Click Here to Order Paperback Version OR Click Here to Order Hardcover VersionDorros, Arthur. Tonight is Carnaval. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 1991. Ages 4-8. [cover picture]
Story is about a South American family’s preparation for Carnaval. Illustrations in the book are arpilleras, folk-art wall hangings sewn by Lima, Peru members of the Club de Madres Virgen del Carmen. Click Here to Order
Gerson, Mary-Joan and Carla Golembe. People of Corn: A Mayan Story. 1995. Ages 6-10. [cover picture]
After several unsuccessful attempts to create grateful creatures, the Mayan gods use sacred corn to fashion a people who will thank and praise their creators. Many pages of the book are bordered and illustrated with Mayan patterns Click Here to Order
Presilla, Maricel and Gloria Soto. Life Around the Lake: The Feasts of Lake Patzcuaro. 1996. Ages 9 – 12. [cover picture]
Depicts how the Tarascan living around Lake Patzcuaro in central Mexico, whose women are master embroiderers, are adapting to modern life. Click Here to Order
Presilla, Maricel E. Mola: Cuna Life Stories and Art. New York: Henry Holt, 1996. Ages 9 – 12. [cover picture]
Beatiful book. A reader writes: "After having spent over two years in Panama, I have seen the Kuna Indians and many styles of their molas. Maricel Presilla captures their beauty in the story and the many beautiful photographs. "Click Here to Order
Sola, Michele and Jeffrey Jay Foxx. Angela Weaves a Dream: The Story of a Young Maya Artist. 1997. [cover picture not available]
In villages in the Chiapas Mountains of southern Mexico, the women and girls spin cotton and wool, then dye and weave cloth on their handmade looms. This art is presented through the eyes and hands of a Mayan girl. Click Here to Order
Tenorio-Coscarelli, Jane. The Tortilla Quilt. 1996. Ages 4-8. [cover picture not available]
Maria and her best friend, Sarah, learn to quilt with Maria’s grandmother and give her the very first quilt they make. Instructional Spanish, recipe, and quilt patterns included.
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Roessel, Monty. Songs from the Loom: A Navajo Girl Learns to Weave. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner, 1995
The Navajo rug weaving tradition is passed on to a young girl by her grandmother
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