Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
    • I’m Signing Books at ALA 2025 in Philly!
Menu
Kite Flying in Children's Books

18 Children’s Books About Kites + Activities

Posted on March 17, 2013April 27, 2025 by Pragmatic Mom

The Blossom Kite Festival is an annual event that is traditionally a part of the festivities at the National Cherry Blossom Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The Cherry Blossom Kite Festival in Washington, DC, includes the rokkaku kite battle mentioned in Flying the Dragon, modern kite-making, and the children’s best handmade kite contest.

For anyone lucky to be in Washington D.C. at the end of March, here are the details:

Date and Time
March 30, 2013
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Location
On the grounds of the Washington Monument, Constitution Avenue & 17th Streets, NW Washington, DC.

For those of us who can’t be there, we can recreate this experience!

Kite flying dates back to Ancient China, but in Japan, there is a special day called Children’s Day (a.k.a. Boy’s Day) dedicated to flying kites including these Koi windsocks.

Japanese Koi Kites

Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi) is celebrated on 5th May in Japan. It is a national holiday honoring moms and kids, historically boys. Until recently, 5th May used to be known as Boy’s Day (Tango no Sekku, or the Feast of Banners). In Japanese culture, the carp (or koi) represents courage and perseverance, as the fish is known for its strength and determination as it swims against the current upstream.

The epicenter for kite flying in Japan is the Hamamatsu festival which dates back to the 16th Century.  Large kites were flown in celebration of the birth of a baby son to the Lord of Hamamatsu Castle. Even today, kites are flown at Hamamatsu when a baby boy is born, a custom known as hatsudako. On the weekend of May 5th, if you are lucky to be at Nakatajima Dunes, you can witness kite fighting at its best!

Asian American books for kids, kite flying books, kite fighting books for kids, 3rd grade books, 4th grade books, 5th grade books

18 Children’s Books About Kites + Activities

I have Chinese, Japanese, and Korean-themed kite picture books and chapter books for kids.

Kite Flying by Grace Lin

Kite Flying celebrates the Chinese tradition of kite making and kite flying, Ma-Ma, Ba-Ba, Jie-Jie, and Mei-Mei all work together to make a beautiful dragon kite.[picture book, ages 3 and up]

Kite Flying by Grace Lin

Nu Dang and His Kite by Jacqueline Ayer

First published in 1949 when Thailand was Siam, this picture book was recently reprinted by Enchanted Lion Books. The gorgeous illustrations and timeless story make this relevant today. Nu Dang is a little boy who loves to fly his kite, but one day the wind makes off with it so he sets off down the long brown river to find it. The river is busy with the floating market merchants and buyers, priests, and boatmen. His journey to find his kite takes him back home, where his kite has floated down to meet him. This is a great picture book to experience the bustle of life in Thailand. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

nu dang and his kite

Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi

Finally, a Japanese-American chapter book that does NOT focus on WWII Internment camps! Instead, Lorenzi wraps her story around kite flying, connecting two cousins — Hiroshi, a boy from Japan, and Skye a hapa girl (half Japanese/half Caucasian) in D.C.

It’s their Japanese grandfather who unites them around his passion for building and flying kites. He’s relocating to the States, staying near Skye’s family for a special cancer treatment. Skye is pushed to learn Japanese which puts her soccer All-Star camp at risk. Hiroshi misses Japan and feels like a fish out of water in America. Will kite flying and the upcoming kite battle at the National Cherry Blossom Festival bring them closer together or tear them apart? [chapter book, ages 9 and up]

Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi

The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park

Set during the Chosum period during the fifteenth century, Korea’s Golden Age, this is a coming-of-age story wrapped around kite fighting for two brothers and a young king. [chapter book, ages 9 and up]

The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park

Randomly Reading has a great post on a historical fiction picture book:

Red Kite, Blue Kite is a picture book that begins just before takes the Cultural Revolution in China that occurred during the 1960s.  Tai Shan and his Baba (father) like to fly their kites from the rooftop of their home.  Tai Shan’s kite is red, his father’s is blue.  Kite flying is a special time for Tai Shan because on the roof they feel free and Baba tells lots of stories. from Randomly Reading

Red Kite, Blue Kite 

What Do We Do All Day had another great suggestion for a picture book set in New England.

Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite by Brian Lies

When Hamlet, a small pig, decides to buy a huge kite, his friend Quince, a porcupine, is worried. Undeterred, Hamlet gets the “…beautiful Chinese dragon…with the fierce claws and a long, winding tail” that he has admired at the village store. Quince’s worst fears are confirmed when the kite, flying high on a strong wind, sweeps the porker up and away. At first, he enjoys being airborne, but in the end, he is happy to land in one piece. This simple adventure story, with its animal cast and a setting that suggests rural New England, celebrates the thrill of risk-taking and the warmth of friendship. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College, MA from School Library Journal

Hamlet and the Enormous Chinese Dragon Kite by Brian Lies

What Do We Do All Day has another great book addition: Henry and the Kite Dragon.

Henry and the Kite Dragon by Bruce Edward Hall

In Bruce Edward Hall’s Henry and the Kite Dragon, the city is once again the backdrop for rival groups. Not the Sharks and Jets, but the kids from Little Italy and the kids in Chinatown. Henry and his Grandfather Chin make beautiful kites, but when they fly near some pigeons, rocks bring the kites down. When Henry and his friends discover the culprits are boys from Little Italy, their first instinct is to “go down there and fight them.” Grandfather Chin, being the wise man that he is, instead suggests they try a different tactic. When they fly their new, splendid dragon kite in the park where the rivals also congregate everyone discovers the source of the trouble and together they find a solution. review from Storied Cities Books

Henry and the Kite Dragon by Bruce Edward Hall

Story Snug has a great post on The Kite Princess by Juliet Clare Bell. She describes this picture book as:

To the despair of her stuffy parents Cinnamon Stitch is a princess who wants to climb trees and get dirty, she doesn’t want to wear nice clothes and look grand. After being told off for bad behavior Cinnamon starts sewing and the queen is delighted. However, Cinnamon isn’t sewing a dress as her mother thinks, she’s sewing a kite and dreaming of freedom. The king and queen are shocked when they see their daughter flying but then the sound of Cinnamon’s singing has a profound and unexpected effect on them. review from Story Snug

The Kite Princess by Juliet Clare Bell.

Dev and Ollie Kite Crazy by Shweta Aggarwal, illustrated by Somnath Chatterjee

Gujaret’s Kite Festival also has kite fighting, and in this story of Dev and his magical stuffed owl Ollie, the pair helps an elderly man with his kite shop. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Dev and Ollie Kite Crazy by Shweta Aggarwal, illustrated by Somnath Chatterjee

Storm by Sam Usher

This isn’t an Asian themed book at first glance, but it does celebrate kite flying (and adventures with grandfathers)! The search for Granddad’s kite takes his grandson down memory lane recalling their past adventures. When the kite is finally found, there is a new adventure to be had in a sky filled with imaginary kites. And to be remembered at a later date. It is their multigenerational relationship and the dragon they imagined in the sky that gives this book a place on this Asian American-themed list! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Storm by Sam Usher

The Emperor and The Kite by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Ed Young

“Emperor Shin was saved from a tower where he was imprisoned by means of a kite…”
Ignored by her own family, a Chinese princess spends her days playing with a kite made from paper and sticks. But when the Emperor is imprisoned in a high tower, she saves the day, flying her kite high up into the sky to rescue him. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

1968 Caldecott Honor Book

the emperor and the kite

The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean

In the dramatic world of thirteenth-century China, a man is chosen to ride the ship’s hatch into the sky, like a giant kite. The flight of the hatch will determine the destiny of the ship. He is survived by his son, twelve-year-old Haoyou, who is offered a chance to escape his family’s poverty and the pain of his father’s death by becoming a kite rider at Great Miao’s circus. He accepts the challenge and skillfully performs for local villagers, who believe he can bring back messages from lost loved ones whose spirits haunt the sky. But Great Miao is not all that he seems and Haoyou must learn how to survive the very thing that killed his father. 2001 Smarties Book Bronze Award. Shortlisted for the 2001 Carnegie Medal. [young adult, ages 14 and up]

The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean

Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky by Demi

This beautiful book tells the story of how kites came to be and the significance of the symbols traditionally painted on them. It also provides information about kite festivals around the world and kid-friendly directions for making and painting kites. It is a book that celebrates kite-making and kite-flying in a fascinating way. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky by Demi
Dragon Kite of the Autumn Moon by Valerie Reddix, Jean Tseng, Mou-Sien Tseng

Every year Tin and his grandfather fly a kite to celebrate Kite’s Day, and as Taiwanese custom dictates, they cut it free at nightfall, so it can carry any misfortunes away and burn if it happens to fall back to earth. When grandfather gets ill and is unable to make a new kite for the festival, Tin decides to fly his special dragon kite, the one grandfather made when he was born, in the hopes that the freed kite would rise and carry away his grandfather’s misfortunes. As it turns out the kite does soar away over the mountains, leaving a healthy grandfather and a happy and thankful boy behind. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Dragon Kite of the Autumn Moon by Valerie Reddix, Jean Tseng, Mou-Sien Tseng

The Story of Kites by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Yongsheng Xuan

Holiday House, 2003. Demi’s Kites and Jane Yolen’s The Emperor and the Kite both speculate about the origins of kites in China, but the playfulness and creativity of this book make this version especially appealing. There are no precise records of how or why the kite was invented, yet theories concerning these beautiful objects make for very engaging tales, such as this one.

To try to keep the birds out of the rice fields, the Kang brothers experiment with paper and chopsticks and come up with an object that floats into the sky. Their “math homework attached to a chopsticks-frame and flown from a string” makes all the villagers excited and do succeed in frightening the birds away. Everybody is so taken by the object that the Kang family decides to open China’s first kite factory. [nonfiction picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Story of Kites by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Yongsheng Xuan.

King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Christiane Kromer

Malik has a special kite that he made himself for the Punjabi Basant Kite Festival, a kite-fighting competition. From his rooftop, Malik competes, taking down kite after kite including the kites flown by the bully next door. His victories crown him the king. When he sees the bully on the street below take a kite from a little girl, he intercedes with a gesture of kingly generosity. Malik’s physical disability is a subtle background note; his determination to win the kite fighting competition and the kindness he shows reveal how his wheelchair does not limit him. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Christiane Kromer

King of the Skies by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobsen

Award-winning writer and storyteller Rukhsana Khan, tells a contemporary story set in Lahore, Pakistan about a boy known as the “King of the Skies” because of his kite-flying skills. Every year he anxiously awaits Basunt, the kite festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. Unable to walk or run, he relies on his brother and sister to get the kites he has cut free with the sharp twine of his yellow Guddi Chore, or “Kite Thief”, as he has named it. The movement of the kites flying up in the sky and the children running down below is a powerful contrast with the boy’s disability and a beautiful reminder that freedom comes in many colors and shapes. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

King of the Skies by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobsen

The Kite That Bridged Two Nations: Homan Walsh and the First Niagara Suspension Bridge by Alexis O’Neill, illustrated by Terry Widener

Review from Good Reads with Ronna

“Homan Walsh is a 16-year-old who gets the “itch to fly a kite” when he feels the wind blowing just right. In fact, his love of kite flying as well as his uncanny ability to read the wind, has made him one of the best kite fliers around. Widener draws us into the locale of the story with illustrations of Walsh so close to the edge of cliffs along the Niagara that we just have to read on first and foremost to make sure he doesn’t fall.” [historical fiction middle grade, ages 8 and up]

The Kite That Bridged Two Nations: Homan Walsh and the First Niagara Suspension Bridge by Alexis O'Neill, illustrated by Terry Widener

Making a Kite

I’ve made kites as a kid but not recently. Here are two links with detailed instructions and easy-to-find materials if you want t attempt making your own kite.

How to Make a Kite from Simple Green Living with just dowels and newspaper.

My Best Kite has detailed instructions on how to build a Diamond Kite using a trash bag and dowels.

Kite Song from Mary Poppins

Kite flying isn’t just an Asian thing. Do you remember when Mr. Banks breaks out in Mary Poppins, throwing his stodgy ways to the wind, delighting his kids?!  It’s in the movie but I don’t remember this in the book.

Let’s Go Fly A Kite by Mr. Banks

With tuppence for paper and strings
You can have your own set of wings
With your feet on the ground
You’re a bird in a flight
With your fist holding tight
To the string of your kite

Oh, oh, oh!
Let’s go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let’s go fly a kite!

Bert:
When you send it flyin’ up there
All at once you’re lighter than air
You can dance on the breeze
Over ‘ouses and trees
With your first ‘olding tight
To the string of your kite

Londoners:
Oh, oh, oh!
Let’s go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Let’s go fly a kite!

 

The Blossom Kite Festival in D.C.

We can experience the D.C. kite festival vicariously through this video too!

p.s. I am honored to be featured in Paper Tigers. This great blog on Asian American children’s books has more books.

I hope we all get to fly kites this spring!!

To view the books or items at Amazon, please click on image. 


 

To view any book at Amazon, click on image.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants®  Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

  • ALSC Notable Children’s Book
  • Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
  • California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
  • Junior Library Guild Gold Selection

 

Cover Reveal for THE TRAVELING TACO by Mia Wenjen Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-HengAmazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  • Green Earth Book Award Long List
  • Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
  • Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

cover for Sumo Joe

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s GuideSigned or Inscribed by Me

 

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley

Signed or Inscribed by Me

Asian Pacific American HeroesSigned or Inscribed by Me

34 thoughts on “18 Children’s Books About Kites + Activities”

  1. Barbara Mojica says:
    March 17, 2013 at 8:46 am

    Thanks so much for this list. I have fond memories of kite flying with my kids, I was never able to attend an event dedicated to kite flying, but it sounds like a fun experience,

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 17, 2013 at 1:20 pm

      Hi Barbara,
      I guess both of us will have to watch the video instead! Or maybe one day, we will get lucky and end up in Japan during the festival. That would be fun!

      Reply
  2. Mom and Kiddo @What Do We Do All Day? says:
    March 17, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    I can’t believe I also forgot to tell you about the amazing Henry and the Kite Dragon. I wrote a review of it at Storied Cities: http://www.storiedcitiesbooks.com/2011/01/soaring-city-henry-and-kite-dragon.html

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 19, 2013 at 10:51 am

      Thanks so much Erica! Adding it to my list!!

      Reply
  3. maryanne @ mama smiles says:
    March 17, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    What a great round-up of books!

    We watched Mary Poppins on our last snow day. Love that song!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 19, 2013 at 10:54 am

      Thanks Maryanne,
      And a huge thank you to Erica of What Do We Do All Day for the book recommendation assist! I love building book lists together! Anyone else have a book suggestion? It does not have to be Asian themed! Just kite themed!

      Reply
  4. Alexandra says:
    March 18, 2013 at 6:01 am

    I loved flying kite when I was little..shame I don’t do it anymore with the kids. I guess when we are in the city there is just no way and when we are in the country there is so many things to do one does not even think of the kites!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 19, 2013 at 10:55 am

      Hi Alexandra,
      We are the same and it’s a shame because I have fond memories of flying kites. We also have electrical wires above ground and not that many big wide fields so we’d have to drive somewhere to fly kites. We have flown kites by the beach though. Good reminder to get or make a simple kite and take a short drive!

      Reply
  5. Reshama says:
    March 18, 2013 at 11:59 am

    This is a great list Mia. WE love kites at our home .. looking forward to reading a few suggested here.
    -Reshama
    http://www.stackingbooks.com

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 19, 2013 at 10:58 am

      Thanks Reshama,
      Please share what kite books you enjoy if you get a chance! Would love to build up this list with you!

      Reply
  6. Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews says:
    March 20, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    AWESOME theme for a book list!
    Thanks for sharing this with the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 21, 2013 at 8:05 am

      Thanks Katie! And thanks for hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

      Reply
  7. piwimama says:
    March 21, 2013 at 1:27 am

    Sounds like a great festival in DC. DD7 will love these books as she really loved learning about Japan and the childrens’ festivals last year. Thanks for sharing this great list at Kids Lit Blog hop!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 21, 2013 at 8:09 am

      Hi Piwi Mama,
      I’m so glad your daughter is into Japan and children’s festivals. Would she ever be interested in making a kite? My kids have never done it but I used to as a kit just assemble a kite from a kit. It would be fun to make one though. Kite flying is a joy of childhood!

      Reply
  8. Catherine says:
    March 21, 2013 at 4:54 am

    Thankyou for this great list 🙂 Do you know The Kite Princess by Juliet Clare Bell? I have it on Story Snug (your site won’t let me post the link!).

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 21, 2013 at 8:11 am

      Thanks for your book recommendation Catherine! My 7th grade daughter has discovered the best YA books because of your blog. Her English teacher uses your blogs to buy books for her classroom so she gets them indirectly. I’m going to tell her to check out your blog since she is in contant need of new book ideas.

      Going to find your post now to link it up to the post. Sorry, the comment thingy won’t let you post the link. I am using CommentLuv and I think it has a mind of its own.

      Reply
      1. Catherine says:
        March 22, 2013 at 5:16 am

        So pleased that your daughter’s English teacher is finding my book recommendations useful :o)
        I have added your blog to my blogroll, I think you have a great blog too. Have a great weekend 🙂

        Reply
        1. Pragmatic Mom says:
          March 23, 2013 at 8:28 am

          Thank you so very much Catherine!!!

          Reply
  9. Julie Grasso says:
    March 21, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    I loved this post. My niece and nephew are kite obsessed at the moment so we got them kites, but I didn’t think of getting them books to go with them, lol. Thanks for the great recommendations. I love Japanese themed books and I hope one day to make it to Japan during the cherry blossom time of year. And the Mary Poppins song made me want to go put on the movie, awww, Thanks for linking it in to the Kid Lit Blog Hop, cheers Julie Grasso

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 23, 2013 at 8:25 am

      Thanks so much Julie! I’d love to make it to any cherry blossom festival too! I didn’t realize the Asian connection to kites and kite fighting so it was fun to post on since my kids are Korean, Chinese and Japanese American.

      Reply
  10. Natalie Dias Lorenzi says:
    March 21, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    Thanks so much for including Flying the Dragon in your post, Mia! As a school librarian, I’ll check out the other titles on your list as we move into Cherry Blossom Festival Week! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 21, 2013 at 11:01 pm

      Hi Natalie,
      I really loved your book. I’ve included in my Top 10 Japanese American Books for Kids list too: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2011/05/top-10-japanese-american-childrens-books-ages-2-16/

      Reply
      1. Pragmatic Mom says:
        March 21, 2013 at 11:02 pm

        Hi Natalie,
        Also, please look for my March book review at OMGMother.com. I picked your book for a (hopefully) kite flying month.

        Reply
  11. Ann says:
    March 22, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    I think that first one is illustrated by Grace Lin. We like that one. I would also like to read the one by Linda Sue Park and the Kite Princess. Thanks for these picks!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      March 23, 2013 at 8:42 am

      Hi Ann,
      Ah, let me add the author for the first pick! Thanks Ann!

      Reply
  12. Juliet Clare Bell says:
    April 24, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Hello Mia! Thanks for this list -and thanks for putting up my book, The Kite Princess! I hope Ann (above) enjoys it too… I was sent the Korean version of it today, which is very exciting -my first Korean book. I think lots of authors like kites (there was one in my first picture book, too) and it’s the symbol of SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Hans Christian Andersen (apparently) used to fly one to let people know he had a story ready to tell people and they’d gather round… Thanks again and happy kite flying and reading! All the best, Clare (Juliet Clare Bell).

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 26, 2013 at 8:00 am

      Hi Juliet,
      Thanks so much for stopping by! We are always so excited to meet authors virtually! How wonderful that your book is being translated into other languages including Korean!!!

      That tidbit about kites relating to literature was so wonderful!! It makes kites even more special! But what did Hans Christian Anderson do if his story was ready but there was no wind?? … just wondering.

      Reply
  13. Natalie says:
    July 12, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    That’s a seriously awesome post! We are going through China now, and kite making is on our list of things to do. I have to look for some of these books in our library,

    Reply
  14. Leanna @ Alldonemonkey says:
    August 3, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    What a great resource! I can’t wait to check out these books with my son! And I love the song from Mary Poppins 🙂 Thanks for sharing at the Culture Swapper!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 5, 2013 at 9:55 am

      Thanks so much Leanna!

      Reply
  15. Elmer Cruz says:
    October 8, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Very nice article. I appreciate the work that you have put in this page. Really good, Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      October 10, 2014 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks so much Elmer!

      Reply
  16. kite fights says:
    April 24, 2015 at 3:37 am

    I just love to play the i love kite fight game This game was amazing to play in online.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 25, 2015 at 8:18 am

      Hi Kite Fights,
      Kite fighting sounds really fun. My kids would love it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • Sumo Joe turns 6 Years Old and 6 book GIVEAWAY! June 11, 2025
  • 7 Interfaith Picture Books & GIVEAWAY! June 9, 2025
  • Read Your World Summer Flash Sale! June 6, 2025
  • I’m Signing Books at ALA 2025 in Philly! June 4, 2025
  • Food for the Future: Half Moon Miracle in the Sahal June 2, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT