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
    • 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
    • Read Your World’s AAPI Virtual Panel + 5 Book Bundle Giveaways!
    • I’m doing a Storytime at the 3rd Annual Greater Roxbury Book Fair
    • The Traveling Taco Storytime and Craft at Ten Trees Books
    • NCSS Virtual Presentation: Farm to Table to Book
    • How Stories Can Help Students Feel Brave and Take Risks – NCTE Boston Presentation
Menu
Lao and Hmong Children's Books

31 Lao and Hmong Children’s Books

Posted on November 6, 2017August 6, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

It’s clear to me when trying to create this list that there are not enough Lao and Hmong children’s books out there! They were hard to come by even through my public library system so I purchased Lao Folktales and The Hemp and the Beeswax: A Hmong Cinderella. If you need either for your home or classroom library, please leave me a comment about why you need it and I’ll send them to you.

How about you? Do you have any book suggestions for this list? They would be most welcome. Thank you!

p.s. Thank you to Becky Linderholm who reviews books for her Family Conversation Kits for many of these book suggestions and book blurbs.

Family Conversation Kits

31 Lao and Hmong Children’s Books

From the Tops of the Trees by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Rachel Wada

Kalia lives with her family in Thailand’s Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. Like many young Hmong children, she has not known life outside of camp. While her life includes play, it is also a difficult life where there is not enough food to eat. When Kalia wonders if the world is just one big refugee camp, her father takes her very seriously. To show her what is possible, he climbs a very tall tree with her clinging to his back to show her the view from the tops of the trees. The world is bigger than she could ever imagine and her father tells her that she will journey to places that he has never seen. This semi-autobiographical story shows how she has fulfilled her father’s wishes for her. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Caged by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Khou Vue

My aunt tells me, “You are not a child of poverty, war, or despair.”

She says, “You are hope being born.”

Kao Kalia Yang’s powerful yet uplifting story is about her refugee camp experience as a young child. She played with her cousins, imagining that they were from a people from the sky who had lost their wings and regained their ability to fly. When her family was finally able to immigrate to another country, she did indeed get wings. This story is dedicated to the minors detained at the U.S.-Mexico border. She hopes they can dream of a world where they can be free. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Caged by Kao Kalia Yang and Khou Vue

A Map Into the World by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Seo Kim

“As the seasons change, so too does a young Hmong girl’s world. She moves into a new home with her family and encounters both birth and death. As this curious girl explores life inside her house and beyond, she collects bits of the natural world. But who are her treasures for?
A moving picture book debut from acclaimed Hmong American author Kao Kalia Yang.” from publisher [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Astrid and Apollo & The Starry Campout by V.T. Bidania, illustrated by Dara Lashia Lee

Astrid is afraid of the dark and doesn’t want to go on her family camping trip. But her twin brother, Apollo, is excited. When they encounter scary things such as crawly bugs and the creepy dark, Apollo helps his twin through them. And when they encounter the scariest thing of all, Astrid might just be the one to save the starry campout. [early chapter book, ages 6 and up]

Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee

Review by Ms. Yingling Reads:

“The details about the Hmong community, as well as Pahua’s experiences in the small Wisconsin town, added an interesting layer to the story, and it was good to see that June reacted in the way tweens should act when they see someone being prejudiced and acting unkindly. There is plenty of action and adventure to keep fantasy fans turning the pages and learning about Hmong culture, religion, and folklore.” [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

A Sticky Mess by Nor Sanavongsay

A Sticky Mess is the comedic origin story of one of the most beloved folk heroes of Laos. A young monk keeps getting in trouble with the head of the monastery who thinks the boy can’t do anything right. Finally, the young boy decides to turn the tables with the help of a chicken and a little bit of a sticky snack called mieng. What happens next has become the stuff of legend for over 600 years! This is a hilarious tale of cleverness and ingenuity. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Mali Under the Night Sky: A Lao Story of Home by Youme Landowne

This is the true story of Laotian American artist Malichansouk Kouanchao, whose family was forced by civil war to flee Laos when she was five. Mali lived an idyllic life in the country with her family until the war began. Forced to flee, Mali and her family are arrested for not having a home in this country. With her childhood memories to sustain her, Mali tells stories of home to her fellow refugees. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui

A Hmong man is included in this story as a side character so I’ve included it in this list.

This is a gentle story that touches on more serious subjects. A boy and his father go on an early morning fishing trip but they fish for dinner, not for sport. The boy asks his father why they need to fish since his father works two jobs. Fishing also reminds his father of his brother, another sad subject touched on since his brother who fought by his side in the Vietnam War never returned. This quiet story is like the pond itself, tranquil on top but teeming with possibilities including life or death underneath. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Pa Lia’s First Day by Michelle Edwards

Second grader Pa Lia gets lost on her way to her classroom on her first day of school and wonders if she’ll ever fit in. [early chapter book, ages 5 and up]

Grandfather’s Story Cloth by Linda Gerdner and Sarah Langford, illustrated by Stuart Loughridge

“In ancient times, a tribe of people called the Hmong lived in China. During the 19th century, oppressed by the Han Dynasty, many of the Hmong migrated to remote areas of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand in an effort to maintain their cultural identity.” from the end note

A Lao boy’s grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease, but a story cloth that his grandfather made himself preserves his memories of his life in Laos. His story cloth includes the war and how he had to cross to Thailand to safety where he lived in a refugee camp. It was here that he made the story cloth. Chersheng, the grandson, uses his drawing skills to create his own storyboard that continues his grandfather’s story of life in America. [advanced bilingual picture book in English and Hmong, ages 6 and up]

Grandfather's Story Cloth by Linda Gerdner , Sarah Langford

The Whispering Cloth by Pegi Deitz Shea

A Hmong girl watches her grandma stitch story cloths and imagines what a story cloth of her own might look like. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

When Everything Was Everything by  Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, illustrated by Cori Nakamura Lin

“With flowing yet anchored language and precise illustration, this book is a much-needed intervention against the erasure of working-class Southeast Asian life and a celebration of it. This too is a Minnesota story. This too is an American story. This too is a human story. I can’t wait to read this with my daughter.” Forward by Bao Phi

Pair this with A Different Pond for another take on working-class Southeast immigrants who tell their stories with dignity and compassion. [picture book, ages 8 and up]

Dia’s Story Cloth by Dia Cha, illustrated by Chiie Thao Cha and Nhia Thao Cha

“Everything in a Hmong story cloth is hand-embroidered. The stitches in a Hmong story cloth make pictures of life. This story cloth will tell you about our life.”

This story cloth begins with the Hmong diaspora from China to Laos. In 1960, Laos was caught in warfare with many Hmong men joining forces with the American government to fight the communists. The Hmong villages were relentlessly bombed and many, many people died. In 1970, the Americans pulled out of Laos and many Hmong escaped as refugees to Thailand and then America. The story cloth is a bridge to all the generations before us and after us as well. [picture book, ages 7 and up]

Dia's Story Cloth by Dia Cha, illustrated by Chiie Thao Cha and Nhia Thao Cha

Mai Ya’s Long Journey by Sheila Cohen

A book detailing the experiences of a young Hmong refugee. [nonfiction early chapter book, ages 7 and up]

Mai Ya's Long Journey by Sheila Cohen

Long Road to Freedom by Linda Barr

A nonfiction text about the circumstances that led to Hmong refugees fleeing Laos, and what they experienced. [nonfiction chapter book, ages 8 and up]

Long Road to Freedom by Linda Barr

Farmer’s Market: Families Working Together by Marcie Rendon & Cheryl Walsh Bellville

This is a nonfiction story about two families (one Hmong and one German) who work at the farmer’s market. [nonfiction picture book, ages 4 and up]

Farmer's Market: Families Working Together by Marcie Rendon & Cheryl Walsh Bellville

How Do I Begin? by Hmong American Writers’ Circle

A Hmong American literary anthology about a variety of topics like soul-calling ceremonies, gangs, drugs, and intergenerational issues. [anthology, ages 9 and up]

How Do I Begin? by Hmong American Writers' Circle

Little Cricket by Jackie Brown

A Hmong girl leaves behind her village with her brother and grandpa for the US where they must adjust to life in Minnesota. [middle grade, ages 9 and up]

Little Cricket by Jackie Brown

Many Ideas Open the Way by Randy Snook

A collection of Hmong proverbs in Hmong and English along with a statement in the back regarding Hmong history. Photographs of Hmong individuals in traditional clothes are used throughout the book. [poetry picture book, ages 4 and up]

Many Ideas Open the Way by Randy Snook

Hmong Food by Pang Xiong

It is a very simple, patterned text with a Hmong boy eating different Hmong foods families could try. [nonfiction picture book, ages 2 and up]

Hmong Food by Pang Xiong

I Am Hmong by Pang Xiong

Join this boy for dinner as he tells his readers about the Hmong foods that he likes to eat. The repetition allows young readers to be successful.[nonfiction picture book, ages 2 and up]

I Am Hmong by Pang Xiong

My Birthday by Pang Xiong

Join these Hmong kids as they celebrate their birthdays. [nonfiction picture book, ages 2 and up]

My Birthday by Pang Xiong

Candy by Pang Xiong

Beginning readers will love this colorful book about one of their favorite things in the world–candy! Students will enjoy looking at different kinds of Asian and American snacks including Hmong candy. [nonfiction picture book, ages 2 and up]

Candy by Pang Xiong

Ka’s Garden by Maggie Lee McHugh & Dr. Bee Lo

This is a bilingual children’s book with a pronunciation guide. Readers count animals that interact with the garden while learning about some Hmong beliefs. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Ka's Garden by Maggie Lee McHugh & Dr. Bee Lo

Basha: A Hmong Child by Herve Giraud

Through Basha’s life with her parents, learns about the lifestyle and customs of the Hmong tribes of northern Vietnam. [nonfiction picture book, ages 7 and up]

Basha: A Hmong Child by Herve Giraud

Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl’s Story by Pegi Deitz Shea

From a Thai refugee camp to Providence, Rhode Island, thirteen-year-old Mai Yang’s journey is realistically described from nearly being raped by a doctor at the refugee camp to the difficulty of adjusting to a new language and culture in America. Pair Tangled Threads with Inside Out and Back Again by Thannha Lai. There’s an extensive book list for more children’s and young adult books about the Hmong through my library system did not have many of them.  [young adult, ages 12 and up]

Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl's Story by Pegi Deitz Shea

 

Hmong Folk Tales for Kids

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Eddie Flotte

The father in this Hmong folktale changes Jouanah’s mother into a cow and then selfishly remarries another woman with a daughter her age. He’s easily manipulated by the evil stepmother who gets him and Jouanah to do all the chores from dawn to dusk. She learns of the silken thread the cow spins and gets him to destroy it, and sacrifice the cow. Soon, the father dies as well.

When the New Year arrives, Jouanah is too busy doing the cruel tasks her stepmother gives her to attend the village festivities. On the third day, she finds a beautiful outfit in her sewing basket and joins the celebration, catching the eye of the son of the village elder. Jouanah is not recognized by her stepfamily but loses one shoe in her haste to get home before them. The ending is the same as all Cinderella stories but in this story, the stepmother and stepsister continue to live as they did, in misery. [fairy tale picture book, ages 6 and up]

Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, illustrated by Eddie Flotte

Nine-in-One Grrr! Grr! by Blia Xiong

A Hmong Folktale. Available in a bilingual version. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Nine-in-One Grrr! Grr! by Blia Xiong

The Hemp and the Beeswax: A Hmong Folktale retold by Ia Moua Yang

The Hmong Cinderella explains the significance of the Indigo batik cloth which is a textile tradition in Hmong culture. In this Hmong story which is detailed above in Jouanah, this story goes further and explains how the couple is united in the hemp cloth because it combines the hemp for cloth (husband), beeswax for the batik (first wife), and hummingbird (son) to eat the honey. [trilingual Hmong/Lao/English picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Hemp and the Beeswax: A Hmong Folktale retold by Ia Moua Yang

 

Lao Folk Tales for Kids

Mommy Eats Fried Grasshoppers by Vilayvanh Bender, illustrated by Nor Sanavongsay

Mahlee learns how differently Mommy did things as a child in Laos than Mahlee does in America, where they live now. She loves doing everything with Mommy, but will she eat fried grasshoppers? This book is available in September 2018. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Mommy Eats Fried Grasshoppers by Vilayvanh Bender, illustrated by Nor Sanavongsay

Lao Folktales by Steven Jay Epstein

“Many of these tales with animal themes have their roots in the Panchatantra and Jataka tales. The Panchantantra tales originated in India about 2300 years ago. The Panchatantra tales are the basis for Aesop’s fables. The Jataka tales are a collection of stories of the past lives of the Buddha. These two dozen folktales are also meant to entertain and reflect the constant good humor of the Lao.” from the forward

These are short and funny stories. They remind me of a Lao version of Strega Nona. [folk tale chapter book, ages 8 and up]

Lao Folktales by Steven Jay Epstein

Suggestions by Readers

Duachaka Her‏ @duachakaher

I’m a Hmong-American illustrator and author and I couldn’t agree more! I’ve currently created two children’s graphic novels entitled, “Then and Now” and “The Collection,” which feature Hmong characters and experiences! Feel free to check them out here.

I’ve also illustrated for See Lor of @readingkarma which has several children’s books out that feature Hmong characters and the culture! Feel free to check out Reading Karma for more Hmong-related books!

From Becky,

Alike and Differentseries from Cloverleaf Books with my students and my own children. Especially My Language, Your Language because it includes a Hmong-speaking family (so rarely found in books like that).

 

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

Lao and Hmong Children's Books

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

p.s. Related posts:

Exploring Laos with Books for Kids, Culture, and Art

7 Picture Books Set in Southeast Asia

16 Children’s Books About Mongolia

8 Children’s Books to Celebrate Grandparents’ Day

30 Vietnamese American Children’s Books

6 Picture Books set in Asia or about Asian-Americans

6 Chinese American Picture Books To Fill Your Heart and Belly

 

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

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-Heng

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

      • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
      • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
      • Starred review from School Library Journal
      • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
      • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
      • Green Earth Book Award longlist
      • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

cover for Sumo JoeChanging the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison FoleyAsian Pacific American Heroes

32 thoughts on “31 Lao and Hmong Children’s Books”

  1. Patricia Tilton says:
    November 6, 2017 at 8:31 am

    Tangled Threads really jumps out at me. Will have to get a copy!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks Pat! I’d love to hear what you think!

      Reply
  2. M. Gianferrari says:
    November 6, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    I loved A Different Pond. It’s definitely a Caldecott contender in my eyes!

    I haven’t read any of the others, nor do I have any additional titles to recommend, but I hope our library will have some of these titles. Thanks, Mia!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      I’m so glad it won a Caldecott Honor! I wasn’t sure if it would.

      Reply
  3. Cha Pao says:
    November 6, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    Merced City School District publishes a bunch of Hmong language stories for children.

    Here’s a partial list:

    http://www.mcsd.k12.ca.us/District/News/2847-Helping-Students-Prepare-for-School.html

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing this Cha Pao!

      Reply
  4. Duachaka Her says:
    November 7, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    Hi! My name is Duachaka Her and I am a Hmong-American illustrator and author. Growing up I’ve always wanted to see more books that featured Hmong characters or had characters that shared similar experiences as I do. I didn’t find many, so over the years I’ve decided to write and illustrate some myself. Currently I’ve created two graphic novels, they are “Then and Now” and “The Collection,” which features Hmong characters and incorporates aspects of the Hmong-American experience. The books are currently sold on my online store, which you can find on my website if interested.

    I’ve also illustrated for educator and author See Lor. She has a company called Reading Karma, which produces children’s books that promote reading literacy for children and feature the Hmong culture and characters. She has several titles out as well.

    I hope this adds to your list!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      I’m so glad to add this to our list! Thank you Duachaka!

      Reply
  5. Jonathan Pierce says:
    November 14, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    I am presuming these books are for children in the US school system, but wonder if they’d be appropriate to send to Laos to be used as primers for kids learning English .

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 8:03 pm

      Hi Jonathan,
      I don’t know anything about that!

      Reply
  6. Kristin Crouch says:
    January 7, 2018 at 3:35 pm

    Thank you for this. I teach the ENL class of fifth grade ELA, and I’ve long been looking for more representation for my students who have come to America primarily from Burma and Thailand. They have not been easy for me to find. These resources are fabulous.
    I would love to have these books in my classroom library.
    A Different Pond was one of my #classroombookaday selections and it really resonated with my students.
    Thank you for your post.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      January 7, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      I found a few resources for you on Burma: https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2011/01/teach-me-tuesday-burma/

      http://kidstravelbooks.com/shop/asia/i-see-the-sun-in-myanmar-burma/

      Also Tiger Boy by Mitali Perkins. I will make you a list of Thailand and Burma books for kids.

      Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 8:47 pm

      I did a Thailand list and Burma list for you!

      https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2018/04/childrens-books-thailand/

      https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2018/03/childrens-books-burma/

      Reply
  7. Valarie says:
    January 27, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    This is a fantastic list. I didn’t even know this many books existed on the Lao and Hmong people. I’ve bookmarked this to come back to. Have some good discoveries to make here.
    Thanks again for sharing on MCBD.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 9:18 pm

      I wish there were more Lao and Hmong books!

      Reply
  8. Svenja says:
    January 29, 2018 at 4:58 am

    These books all look beautiful. Apart from A Different Pond they are all new to me. Thanks for sharing! #ReadYourWorld

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 9:22 pm

      Thanks Svenja!

      Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Thank you Svenja!

      Reply
  9. Melissa Taylor says:
    January 31, 2018 at 11:52 pm

    Yes, we still need more books that represent these and many other cultures. A Different Pond was such a standout book for 2017!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 25, 2018 at 6:10 pm

      I was so happy that it won a ton of awards!

      Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 25, 2018 at 6:24 pm

      I’m glad it won a ton of awards!

      Reply
  10. Kelsey says:
    November 7, 2019 at 1:02 pm

    Fantastic new book that needs to be on this list!! https://www.amazon.com/Map-into-World-Kalia-Yang/dp/1541538366

    Reply
  11. Heather Rigney says:
    April 10, 2020 at 10:32 am

    Thank you SOOOOO much for this list! I found this book to add to the ones above: https://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Mess-Nor-Sanavongsay/dp/0989885003/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&qid=1586528896&refinements=p_27%3ANor+Sanavongsay&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Nor+Sanavongsay

    A Sticky Mess by Nor Sanavongsay

    Reply
  12. Nickie Anderson says:
    May 17, 2020 at 5:35 am

    Hi,
    I live in New Zealand and I am struggling to find Lao books for my bilingual children they are half Lao and Scottish from their father’s side of the family.
    So far, I can only find 2 books from your list above in our local library. It’s so hard to difficult to get the other titles and shipping is crazy expensive to get to our country. Our library had “A different pond“ and “A map into the world”.
    I will try see if our library is keen to purchase these books to share as it needs diversity in Lao cultural books.
    Thank so much for the list.
    Kind regards,
    Nickie

    Reply
  13. Olivia Meyer says:
    June 12, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    Hello!

    I am an EL teacher at a school that has primarily Hmong children. If you still have them, I’d love one or both of those Hmong titles to share with the students. If not, I’m happy to find such a comprehensive list of books I can get for my classroom.

    Thank you!
    Olivia

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 16, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      Hi Olivia,

      Please email me a mailing address and I’ll send you a few books for your classroom library. My email address is pragmaticmomblog@gmail.com.

      Reply
  14. Ashley Sacotte says:
    December 16, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Hello!

    I am a kindergarten teacher in an ELL co-taught classroom. We have a large Hmong population in our district but no books featuring Lao/Hmong characters! If you still have some titles to share I would love to add them to my library. Otherwise, thank you so much for creating such a beautiful list of these books! It is very helpful and well put together!

    Many thanks,
    Ashley

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      December 16, 2020 at 4:09 pm

      Hi Ashley,
      Please email me a mailing address and I will send you some books for your ELL classroom library. My email is pragmaticmomblog@gmail.com.

      Reply
  15. Sacha says:
    January 3, 2021 at 11:46 pm

    Hi, I am studying Laos within International Week with a Year 5 class at my school. These books look great; however, I cannot find any free online PDF versions and Amazon does not deliver to my location. Does anybody have any PDF versions they could share, please? Thanks

    Reply
  16. A. Keely says:
    January 14, 2022 at 11:41 am

    Hello, I teach 4th grade and my school district has a large Hmong population. I would love to have some books for a Family Engagement Project I am currently working on. I am getting my Master’s Degree in TESOL and the books would be used to share with ESL families in my school to complete reading activities and share their experiences with the class. The books you have listed are wonderful and I am very grateful for the insight as to quality options for me to request donations for. If it is still an option, I would be very grateful to receive a copy of the Lao Folktales book to use for this project. Thank you in advance for your consideration regarding this.

    Reply
  17. Sophia says:
    May 9, 2025 at 2:28 am

    This is a fantastic list, thank you for sharing.
    I wanted to let you know that Bao Phi is a Vietnamese American spoken word poet and author. So his book “A Different Pond” being on this list is incorrect, he should be listed under Vietnamese children’s books instead.
    Keep on sharing diverse kid’s books!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      May 9, 2025 at 8:46 am

      Hi Sophia,
      Thanks for your comment. When I first made this list, I could not find many Lao or Hmong books for kids but A Different Pond had a Hmong character (the man fishing) so that is why I included 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

  • OCA Reads: A Virtual Conversation with Mia Wenjen May 16, 2025
  • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …} May 14, 2025
  • 21 Children’s Books to Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month May 12, 2025
  • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction! May 9, 2025
  • Today is My Book Birthday for The Traveling Taco & 10 Book GIVEAWAY! May 6, 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