Summary

In my search for exemplary children’s books, I chose to focus on Asian American literature. I am involved in a relationship through Big Brothers Big Sisters with a young Chinese American girl. I find that cultural barriers affect many of my interactions with her father, who was born and raised in China. For example, he offers to do certain things for BBBS workers and is very persistent about encouraging us to accept these acts. While the interactions with him and I are influenced by culture, I expect cultural factors play a role in his daughter and his interactions. For example, my little sister is discouraged from doing any outside activities on weekdays because she should be doing homework or reading if she is done. I saw similar acts in Yang the Youngest. Because of this significant relationship in my life, I am interested in reading children’s literature that portrays Asian American culture. Upon reading the following four books, I learned much about the Chinese American culture and differences between this and the European culture I am accustomed to. Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear and Angel Child Dragon Child both explore similarities and differences between two cultures. At the Beach explores certain aspects of Chinese culture and El Chino discusses the importance of appreciation and embracement of cultural heritage. These exemplar children’s books written by insiders of the Asian American culture have had a positive impact on my perception of Asian American culture and my interactions with an important person in my life.