Hmong Literature and Authors @ Fresno State Library

The shared room When someone you love dies, you know what doesn't die? Love. On the hot beach, among colorful umbrellas blooming beneath a bright sun, no one saw a little girl walk into the water. Now, many months later, her bedroom remains empty, her drawers hold her clothes, her pillows and sheets still have her scent, and her mother and father, brothers and sister carry her in their hearts, along with their grief, which takes up so much space. Then one snowy day, the mother and father ask the girl's older brother, "Would you like a room of your own?" He wants to know, "Whose?" They say, "Your sister's." Tenderly, and with refreshing authenticity, beloved Minnesota writer Kao Kalia Yang tells the story of a Hmong American family living with loss and tremendous love.

A map into the world Paj Ntaub, a young Hmong American girl, spends a busy year with her family in their new home, and seeks a way to share the beauty of the world with a grieving neighbor.

Grandfather's story cloth = Yawg daim paj ntaub dab neeg Ten-year-old Chersheng helps his beloved grandfather cope with his failing memory, brought on by Alzheimer's disease, by showing him the story quilt Grandfather made after fleeing his homeland, Laos, during wartime.

The whispering cloth : a refugee's story Young Mai's grandmother teaches her to make the traditional Hmong pa ndau storycloth while they are living in a refugee camp in Thailand. Mai weaves her life and dreams into her pa ndau and when it comes time to sell it so that her family may leave the camp, she questions whether she will be able to do so.

Today is different Two girls-one Hmong American and one Black-stand together in solidarity with their communities to protest systemic racism and injustice

Dia's story cloth For centuries, needlework has been part of Hmong culture. But it has only been since the war in Vietnam and Laos, which displaced many Hmong, that the new, narrative form of 'story cloths' has emerged, a bridge between past and present. Dia's Story Cloth explores many aspects of the Hmong experience from peace and war in Asia to new beginnings in America.

Tub qoob tub loo = Farmer boy A story from the Hmong culture telling how it began that farmers have to work hard to harvest their fields.

Ntsuag Nos : ib tug Cinderella Hmoob 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 shoes.

Yang warriors Fierce and determined children confront the hardships of Ban Vinai refugee camp, where the author lived as a child. Yang's older sister, seven-year-old Dawb, was one of the story's warriors, and her brave adventure unfolds here with all the suspense and excitement that held her five-year-old sister spellbound many years later. Accompanied by the imagery of debut illustrator Billy Thao, the warriors' secret mission shows what feats of compassion and courage children can perform, bringing more than foraged greens back to the younger children and to their elders. In this unforgiving place, with little to call their own, these children are the heroes, offering gifts of hope and belonging in a truly unforgettable way.

The most beautiful thing Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with little money--and a great deal of love. Weaving together Kalia's story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family's early years in the United States.

From the tops of the trees A powerful true story of a young girl who has never known life outside a refugee camp and a father determined to help her dream beyond the fences that confine them

Mai Ya's long journey Mai Ya's Long Journey follows Mai Ya Xiong, a young Hmong woman, from her childhood in Thailand's Ban Vinai Refugee Camp to her current home in Wisconsin

Stories from Laos : Folktales and cultures of the Lao, Hmong, Khammu, and Iu-Mien Eight tales, map, brief history of Laos, introduction to each of the four cultural groups, and cultural notes about each tale.

Folk stories of the Hmong : peoples of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam The unique culture & heritage of the Hmong people are celebrated in this collection of folktales. Includes an introduction to Hmong history. The first collection of authentic Hmong tales to be published commercially in the English language, this book focuses on 27 captivating tales including creation myths; how/why stories; and tales of love, magic, and fun.

Nine-in-one, Grr! Grr! : a folktale from the Hmong people of Laos 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.

The Hmong Introduces the history, language, religion, and customs of the people that originated in China and now live in other areas of Southeast Asia as well.

The Hmong of Southeast Asia Discover how this ancient culture has been sustained and adapted through the years.

A stone in the soup : a Hmong girl's journey to the United States A story that combines the adventures of a young Hmong girl with the Stone Soup fable. Follow a young girl as she travels from Laos to the United States ands makes new friends in her new home. The love and connection she feels for her grandmother is something to which everyone can relate as she tries to bridge her two worlds.

The Hmong Features the experiences of the Hmong immigrants and the achievements of notable Hmong Americans.

Little Cricket 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.

Tangled threads : a Hmong girl's story 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.

The rainbow fish = Tus ntses leesbo The most beautiful fish in the entire ocean discovers the real value of personal beauty and friendship.

The mouse bride : a Chinese folktale = Nas tsuag tus nkauj nyab : zaj dab neeg suav A mouse goes to the sun, cloud, wind, and wall in search of the strongest husband for his daughter, only to find him among his own kind.

Many ideas open the way : a collection of Hmong proverbs 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.

Ming Lo moves the mountain = Ming Lo txav lub pob tsuas A wise man tells Ming Lo how to move the mountain away from his house.

The story of Mah : a Hmong "Romeo and Juliet" folktale = Dab neeg hais txog Maj A Hmong "Romeo and Juliet" story that also gives the Hmong version of the origins of the hemp plant.

The giant and the Spring = Tus neeg Loj Loj thiab Caij Nplooj Hlav A once selfish giant welcomes the children to his previously forbidden garden and is eventually rewarded by an unusual little child.

Hands-on Asia : art activities for all ages Step-by-step instructions show readers how to make projects based on traditional arts and crafts of Asia.

Teaching with folk stories of the Hmong : an activity book Teach students about Hmong culture, build appreciation of diversity, and extend learning across the curriculum with engaging activities based on Hmong folktales and traditions.