Read these wonderful children’s books about Thailand and learn about the country’s beautiful culture! These stories are sure to delight your young reader.
A teacher mentioned that she was grateful for my lists of Laos and Hmong children’s books but she was looking for books covering Thailand and Myanmar/Burma for students in her classroom who were recent immigrants from these countries. This list (and the one Myanmar) is for her.
14 Wonderful Children’s Books About Thailand
Mela and the Elephant by Dow Phumiruk, illustrated by Ziyue Chen
Kindness needs no reward, for it brings happiness and warmth to the heart.
Mela set forth on an adventure but didn’t take her little brother along because he had nothing to offer her. Her adventure went awry and the animals that she gave gifts to in exchange for help, ran off with her offerings without helping her.
Finally, an elephant helps Mela get home without asking for anything in return. This is a lesson that Mela puts to use the next day. Thai customs are woven throughout this story set in Thailand including bowing with clasped hands to show gratitude. Use this picture book to teach kindness and explore Thai culture. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho, illustrations by Holly Meade
In this rhyming story, a mother asks the wildlife around her to stay quiet while the baby is asleep. The animals reflect the wildlife of Thailand: mosquito, lizard, cat, mouse, frog, pig, duck, monkey, buffalo, and elephant. Use this book to compare to a picture book about animals on a farm in the United States. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade
Continue exploring the wildlife of Thailand in this sequel to Hush! With the same rhyming text, help the dad search for his little girl who’s wandered away, meeting along the way: dragonfly, rooster, puppy, turtle, monkey, hornbill, snake, elephant, crocodile, and tiger. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
In Noot’s village, it’s always been the same. They make umbrellas to sell decorated with flowers and butterflies. Noot has always wanted to paint umbrellas and when she’s allowed to, she paints what she is told to do. On her own, though, she makes tiny umbrellas and paints elephants cavorting.
This year the king is visiting to pick the umbrella queen, the person who paints the most beautiful umbrella. Will the king like Noot’s tiny umbrellas? [picture book, ages 4 and up]
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]
The Paper-Flower Tree: A Tale from Thailand by Jacqueline Ayer
A peddler stops at a little girl’s remote village bringing with him a paper flower tree. She longs for one of her own so he gifts her a paper flower with a bead as a seed. She plants it and faithfully waters it, hoping for a tree of her own, while the villagers think she’s foolish.
When the peddler returns, along with a performing troupe, she receives a lovely surprise. The rhythms, sights, and sounds of rural Thailand are gently conveyed in this story that feels like a folk tale of wishes and dreams. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Man Who Caught Fish by Walter Lyon Krudop
This reads like a folktale cautioning against greed and arrogance. A stranger with a fishing pole is able to pull up fish after fish, even though the local fisherman catches very little all year. His rule is “one person, one fish” and he generously gives the fish away.
A king catches wind of the fisherman and desires a basketful of fish. The man complies with his rule of one fish per person, even when the king locks him in jail. Obsessed with the man and his fishing ability, the king has a plan but it doesn’t turn out how he thinks it will.
Use this book to compare to the story of Beauty and the Beast. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Elephants of the Tsunami by Jana Laiz, illustrated by Tara Cafiero
Eight elephants who entertain by giving people rides on the white sands of Khao Lak Beach detected the movements deep in the earth of the coming earthquake that no human could feel.
The elephants sensed the danger but kept on working trying to communicate to their handlers who did not understand why the elephants were agitated.
Finally, two of the elephants took off, running for higher ground; their mahouts chasing after them on foot. Before the two off-duty elephants took off for the hills, they ran to the beach to rescue people stranded there. The elephants saved all these people’s lives. They are real-life heroes.
I don’t love the font or the page layout, but this story is a moving one told orally. It’s a wonderful reminder of the intelligence and gentleness of the elephants who are endangered. A portion of the proceeds of this book is donated to Tsunami Relief. [picture book, ages 6 and up (because of the descriptions of the devastation from the tsunami)]
Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
What do you do if you love soccer but your village is built on stilts and there are no soccer fields and no space to practice? Boys from the village of Koh Paynee didn’t let that stop them. They decided to cobble together scraps of wood to build their own soccer pitch on the water. The soccer field had its own challenges. Foul balls went into the ocean. The pitch was unstable which meant the soccer players had to develop excellent balance. Could these additional skills they learned from their unique soccer field make them champions?
Based on a true story, Darshana Khiani brings this inspiring true story to life with lyrical prose. Dow Phumiruk, a Thai-American, recalls the beauty of Southern Thailand in her vibrant illustrations that depict their amazing accomplishment. [picture book biography, ages 5 and up]
Tua and the Elephants by
This gentle easy chapter book was inspired by the plight of the Asian elephants living in a refuge park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The authors have created a plucky young girl, Tua, who is moved to save a young elephant from its cruel handlers.
In order to save this elephant, she must traverse the night markets of Chiang Mai, hide out in a Buddhist temple, and race to find a sanctuary where it will be safe. Though the bad guys are bad, there is a cartoon element to their antics and they are never scary, so I think this book would work well for ages 7 and up. [early chapter book, ages 7 and up]
The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Review by Children’s Books Heal:
“Set in a Thai fantasy world, The Last Mapmaker is a suspenseful and thrilling high-seas adventure that will captivate readers, It will introduce them to some history of early colonizers exploring uncharted countries and staking their claims. And sometimes there are environmental consequences that are detrimental to the country.” [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
More books by Christina Soontornvat
Buddhism in Thailand by Frances Hawker and Sunantha Phusomsai, photography by Bruce Campbell
Baan, at eight years old, is invited to become a Buddhist monk and leaves his family during the rainy season to learn more about Buddhism. His grandfather, a rice farmer, was a monk for two years. There is a special initiation ceremony as Baan becomes a monk.
He learns meditation, the 10 rules for being a young monk, and performs tasks such as fetching water. After three months, Baan returns home after completing a leaving ceremony. There is someone special that is coming home too! This is a gentle story of family and the Buddhist faith. [nonfiction picture book, ages 6 and up]
Thai Children’s Favorite Stories: Fables, Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales by Marian D. Toth, illustrated by Patcharee Meesukhon
Traditional folk tales from Thailand are retold for a modern audience. These delightful stories not only amuse but also convey the culture and values of the Thai people. How the Bay of Bangkok Came to Be tells the story of how a kite-shaped Thailand’s geography.
Why Do We Have Thunder and Lightning? is due to Mekhala, a Thai goddess flashing her crystal ball to tease the god of thunder, Ramasura. How the Thais Learned to be Calm is about why the Thai people are taught to be gentle and well-mannered.
There are many more stories in this book perfect for reading aloud at school or at bedtime. [chapter book, ages 6 and up]
All About Thailand: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids by Elaine Russell, illustrated by Patcharee Meesukhon and Vinit Yeesman
What I like about this series from Tuttle is that it covers a wide range of information, making it a one-stop shop for ways to teach kids about the culture of a country. From folk tales to activities, this book includes geography, songs, and crafts. You can pick and choose what to do and read about.
With this one book, you cover nonfiction, fiction, and activities to experience a glimpse into Thai culture. [nonfiction resource book, ages 8 and up. It also works for younger ages if an adult reads aloud and leads the activity portion.]
p.s. Thank you to January Sanalak who wrote me with suggestions.
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I have read several of these and have them listed on my website as well, but I am excited to learn of books I didn’t know existed! Thanks for putting this together and sharing it, Mia!
Books on Thailand were so hard to find, I was so surprised by that! I’ll keep this post updated as I run into more.
Have you run across an English language fiction book for older kids (tweens? teens?) about a young American girl who goes to live with her father in Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai/Rai). I saw it at a bookstore in Chiang Mai a year ago…and can’t seem to find it via the internet. Can’t remember the title or author either 🙁 It may have been locally published in CM which is part of the problem. It seemed like a really good book for tweens/teens interested in other cultures or those possibly facing an international move and being a Third Culture Kid in your tween/teen years…
Hi Shawn,
I’m so sorry but I don’t know that book. I did a Google search but did not come up with anything either. 🙁 I’ll ask on my Facebook page for PragmaticMom.
Hi
I would like you to make a quotation please contact me as email nichanank@nist.ac.th
Thank you.