French teachers – are you looking to update your classroom library with engaging French picture books with Asian characters? As French teachers in Canada, we understand the power of representation in the classroom. French picture books with Asian characters are invaluable resources for fostering cultural awareness and celebrating diversity.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a curated selection of French picture books featuring Asian characters. Whether you’re seeking resources for Asian Heritage Month in Canada or simply looking to diversify your classroom library, these books offer a rich tapestry of stories that reflect the experiences and identities of diverse Asian individuals and stories.
Moreover, in 2020, many French teachers committed to diversifying their bookshelves. Consequently, teachers unpacked the role that diverse picture books play in providing mirrors and windows and eventually becoming sliding glass doors, for all of our students.
This blog post is the third in a series where I share my favourite French picture books with characters with diverse identities. The first blog post featured French picture books with Muslim and/or Arab characters. I have also written a similar blog post with French picture book recommendations with Black characters.
Where should you purchase these French picture books from?
I really encourage you to purchase from your local independent bookstores. One of my favourite bookstores is located a block away from my school.
I will be linking all of these books through Les Libraires which is an independent bookstore in Québec.
Who writes the stories? #ownvoices
I am a South Asian woman who was born and raised in Canada. I never got to read stories about my culture written by people who looked like me until I was in my twenties.
This has got to change!
On my platforms, I choose to share books written by #ownvoices. If you are interested in learning more about own voices, please do read this important blog post by Little Feminist explaining what it is and why it’s important.
I have tried to exclusively share French picture books with Asian characters written by Asian authors.
Which Asian countries are represented in these French picture books?
I’ve tried my absolute best to represent diverse Asians in this blog post. However, my efforts are limited in terms of what is out there. However, since 2020 publishers have released so many diverse French picture books with Asian characters.
I will continue to update this blog post as new French picture books with diverse Asian characters are released.
Mon bindi – Gita Varadarajan & Archana Sreenivasan
In Mon Bindi, we meet Divya. Divya’s amma wears a bindi every day. In the Hindu religion, girls and women wear bindis. The bindi symbolizes a third eye and offers protection to the wearer from evil. Throughout the story, we discover that Divya wishes to wear a bindi to school, but she worries that her peers might mock her.
Despite her concerns, Divya chooses to wear a bindi to school. The reactions of her classmates and her teacher, Ms. Gonzalez, validate Divya and her decision to proudly wear her bindi to school!
Final opinion: This book moved me to tears. The opportunity for young girls to read a picture book like Mon Bindi and see themselves represented in such a heartwarming story? Priceless.
Themes: Hinduism, identity, embracing one’s heritage, family
French level: high-novice. It’s entirely in present tense.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie – Danny Ramadan & Anna Bron
This story takes place in Vancouver, Canada. Salma and her mom reside in a refugee shelter in Vancouver, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Salma’s baba.
Salma notices that her mother no longer laughs. Determined to bring joy to her, Salma decides to prepare one of her favorite Syrian dishes, Foul shami.
Salma embarks on a grand adventure to cook her favorite Syrian dish, but it’s not without its challenges. She encounters numerous obstacles that nearly derail her culinary efforts.
Fortunately, the generosity and kindness of everyone at the shelter ultimately assist her in completing her dish just in time for dinner.
Themes: culture shock, allusions to depression as a result of war, kindness, generosity
Level of French: high intermediate. It’s almost entirely in present tense, however, there is very little repetition of vocabulary which might make it challenging.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
Le plus beau des Aïds – Zeba Talkhani et Abeeha Tariq
Eid, or aïd en français, is the celebration that occurs follows Ramadan. In this book, we meet little Safa who is beyond excited about Eid!
Throughout the book, we explore the traditions and customs Safa and her family observe during Eid.
These traditions include wearing new clothes, adorning one’s hands with henna, gathering with family, praying, and much more!
At the end of the book, Safa learns that a significant aspect of Eid is the act of giving selflessly. Consequently, Safa and her mom distribute sweets and gifts to all of their (very diverse!!) neighbours.
In my opinion, every single classroom in Canada needs to have this book. Children need to be exposed to celebrations other than Christmas since our classrooms are very diverse places.
Themes: celebrations, Eid, traditions, and customs
French level: high novice. Present tense.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
Mamie Coton compte les moutons – Liao Xiaoqin et Zhu Chengliang
Mamie Coton compte les moutons tells the tale of Mamie Coton, who struggles to fall asleep one night.
Despite trying to count sheep, Mamie Coton finds no success. Then, she remembers she forgot to bring the chrysanthemums back inside. After rectifying her mistake, she returns to bed and attempts to count sheep once more.
Yet again, this method proves unsuccessful. Mamie Coton decides to take a brief stroll around the neighborhood. Upon her return, she discovers that Papi Coton has come back from visiting family.
During her sleepless night, Mamie Coton engages in a variety of selfless acts of service for people objects, animals, and people.
Mamie Coton compte les moutons is a heartwarming story about small acts of selfless love for others.
Themes: acts of love, kindness
French level: intermediate. It has a lot of vocabulary that students won’t be familiar with and may need to be pre-taught. It’s written all in present tense.
About the book: A French original from the French publishing company (Hongfei-Cultures)’s collection Vent d’Asie
Sous le bleu de ciel – Aghdas Sekhavat et Denise Paquette
In Sous le bleu de ciel, we meet la Petite-Neige, a white cat living with a Persian family in Iran.
Petite-Neige and her owner Sanaz must leave Iran for Canada. Sous le bleu de ciel tells the story of immigration from the perspective of Petite-Neige, the owner’s pet.
Through Petite-Neige’s perspective, we glimpse Sanaz’s life before immigration and witness the fears and uncertainty Petite-Neige experiences during the journey to Canada. Petite-Neige also undergoes culture shock, noticing the myriad ways in which life in Canada differs from life in Iran.
Final opinion: the story is really well-written. It’s interesting to read about immigration through the perspective of a pet. However, if you’re looking to shed light on the human experience of immigration, this book isn’t it. That being said, I think Sous le bleu de ciel is still a very engaging and fascinating read for the French classroom!
I absolutely LOVE the vibrant illustrations in this book.
Themes: immigration
French level: advanced. It is text-heavy, however, the story is broken down into sections. You don’t have to read it all in one day.
The story is written in passé composé and imparfait. This is a GREAT French picture book if you are trying to expose your students to passé composé and imparfait in authentic texts.
About the book: A French original (l’Édition de la Francophonie)
Dix petits dumplings – Larissa Fan & Cindy Wume
Les Dix Petits Dumplings tells the tale of a family with 10 sons. Since the beginning, these sons have been affectionately referred to as “dumplings,” not only because of their physical resemblance to dumplings but also because dumplings symbolize luck and prosperity.
Throughout the story, we witness the brothers living their lives in their village, where they are adored and cherished by the entire community.
Towards the end of the story, we learn that the sister of the 10 brothers is recounting the story.
This is a true story based on the author Larissa Fan’s story.
Themes: family, cultural/societal norms
French level: novice (some scaffolding will be needed but it’s doable). Short sentences, some sentences using participe présent and a few at the end with imparfait. However, it’s one line per page so it’s very comprehensible.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
Le plus beau Diwali – Sonali Shah & Chaaya Prabhat
In Le plus beau Diwali, we meet the main character who is eagerly anticipating celebrating Diwali this year.
Ariana is excited to make Indian desserts, wear her brand-new outfit, and go to the mandir. However, her three-year-old brother Rafi ruins it all!
He spills flour all over the floor and destroys her brand-new outfit!
Ariana is especially looking forward to participating in the rangoli contest, for which she has been preparing for weeks. Unfortunately, her brother accidentally ruins her design. Fortunately, both the judge and the audience are impressed with the result, and Ariana ultimately wins first place!
At the end of the story, Ariana realizes that life wouldn’t be the same without her little brother.
This is a heartwarming story of family and Diwali.
Themes: family, Diwali, siblings
French level: low-intermediate. All in present tense, some futur proche.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
Des bisous au coin des yeux – Johanna Ho & Dung Ho
Des bisous au coin des yeux is a heartwarming tale. In this story, the main character, a young girl, takes pride in the shape of her eyes. To her, the shape of her eyes represents the strength and love passed down from her mom, grandma, and ancestors.
Themes: self-acceptance
French level: low-intermediate. Mostly in present tense. Tons of repetition.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
L’énorme appétit de Doña Esmeralda – Melissa de la Cruz & Primo Gallanosa
So I do this thing where I regularly stalk my favourite book store for new French picture books. When I saw that this one was released – a French picture book by a Filipina author – I I couldn’t contain my excitement.
Let’s dive into it.
“L’énorme appétit de Doña Esmeralda” tells the tale of a very, very, very old lady with an insatiable appetite. Doña Esmeralda eagerly awaits children saying, “je ne veux pas manger ça” so she can appear and feast on their leftovers! The twist? Doña Esmeralda can only eat leftovers.
But what happens when children finish all their food and leave nothing on their plates? Doña Esmeralda finds herself facing a situation she’s never encountered before!
Melissa De La Cruz drew inspiration for this story from a similar Filipino tale her parents read to her during her childhood. She also wanted to pay homage to all the delicious foods she enjoyed while growing up.
Final opinion: This one was so fun to read! It reminds me so much of Robert Munsch books!
Themes: food, family, cultural tales
French level: advanced. There’s a variety of tenses from present, imparfait to passé simple.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
Grand-papa Grognon – Katrina Moore & Xindi Yan
At the very beginning of Grand-papa Grognon, we meet Daisy who is really excited to spend time with her Yeh-Yeh (her paternal grandfather).
When Yeh-Yeh arrives, she realizes he is different from the last time she saw him.
Daisy’s mom tells her that Yeh-Yeh is showing his love to Daisy in different ways. Daisy realizes that’s what she needs to do as well. She needs to show Yeh-Yeh her love in ways he understands.
Final opinion: It can be very challenging for children to see how much their grandparents change with age and/or illness. I think this is a very sweet story about the different ways we show love to loved ones as they change.
Themes: family, aging elder, language barrier between generations
French level: intermediate. Mostly in present tense.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
Le Diwali de Binny – Thrity Umrigar & Nidhi Chanani
Binny wakes up one morning, bursting with excitement. Today, she gets to talk about Diwali with her classmates.
With Diwali approaching, Binny eagerly shares with her classmates the various traditions and customs her family observes during this festive time.
Binny enthusiastically recounts to her classmates what Diwali means to her and why it’s her favourite celebration.
French level: intermediate.
About the book: A French translation of an English original
