Nepal/Bhutan Language and Culture Kit

Alphabet Alliteration. Crouch, Adele Marie. Crouch Publications, 2012. ISBN: 9781482007893. This isn’t your average A B C’s. Those of you who remember, “She sells seashells by the seashore”, will enjoy this book immensely. A twist has been added to the basic “A is for apple” that will make learning the alphabet crazy fun. Alliteration has been used for each letter of the alphabet.

Bhutan (Cultures of the World). Cooper, Robert & Lin, Yong Jui. Marshall Cavendish, 2001. ISBN: 9781608704538. This text provides comprehensive information on the geography, history, wildlife, governmental structure, economy, cultural diversity, peoples, religion, and culture of Bhutan.

Celebrate! In South Asia. Viesti, Joe & Hall, Diane. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1996. ISBN: 9780688137748. Celebrate in South Asia describes religious festivals and sacred days celebrated in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Burma, and Nepal.

Crane Boy. Cohn, Diane. Landowne, Youme, Ill. Cinco Puntos Press, 2015. ISBN: 9781941026175. Every year, Kinga and his classmates wait for the black-necked cranes to return to the kingdom of Bhutan. The birds fly south over the highest mountains in the word to winter in the valley where Kinga lives, deep in the Himalayas. The cranes have been visiting the valley since ancient times, but every year, fewer cranes return.

The Dance of the Caterpillars. Crouch, Adele Marie. Crouch Publications, 2010. ISBN: 9781482544176. This book was written in a fun way to teach prepositions – often the most difficult to learn in another language. This exciting children’s book contains twenty-two prepositions, one two-word multiple, and two three-word multiples. (Written in Nepali and English).

A Dog Named Haku. Engle, Margarita. Karanjit, Amish. Karanjit, Nicole. Jayaveeran, Ruth (Ill.). Millbrook Press, 2018. ISBN: 9781512432053. It’s the Festival of Lights in Nepal, and this is the day to honor Dogs. Brothers Aly and Bhalu wander the streets of Kathmandu, passing by twirling kites and bamboo swings, looking for a dog to feed. But as night falls, their task begins to feel hopeless until they spot a small black dog who is in need of a friend. This sweet story presents and important Hindu Holiday through the eves of two young boys, making it relatable for both those familiar with the holiday and those reading about it for the first time.

Everest (The Worst Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure). Doyle, Bill & Borgenicht, David. Chronicle Books, 2011. ISBN: 9780811871235. An interactive adventure like no other! On this epic climb up Mount Everest, readers are part of the youngest team ever to climb the world’s tallest peak. They make the choice about their own survival and then experience the consequences of those choices.

Faith: Five Religions and What They Share. Steckel, Richard & Steckel, Michele. Kids Can Press. 2012. ISBN: 9781554537501. This exploration of faith provides a superb overview of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. Young readers will learn about different aspects of each religion, including historical origins and beliefs, holy texts, religious clothing and places of worship. They will also find out about the values, customs and symbols all five religions share, such as the golden rule, charity, prayer and candles.

Himalaya. Tenzing, Norbu Lama. Groundwood Books, 2002. ISBN: 9780888994806. In a remote village, high in the Himalayas, Tsering waits impatiently for the return of the salt caravan that his father led into the central valleys of Nepal. But when the yaks finally appear in a cloud of dust, Tsering can scarcely believe his eyes. Draped across one of the animals is the lifeless body of his father. Tsering’s grandfather, Tinle, blames Karma, his son’s best friend for the death.

Himalaya (Vanishing Cultures). Reynolds, Jan (2007). New York: Lee & Low, 2010ISBN: 9781600601446. High in the Himalaya, Yangshi’s mother is making a rice drink to trade at the market. For Sherpas and Tibetans, trading is a means of sharing their crops and goods with others who live throughout the mountain chain.

I See the Sun in Nepal. King, Dedie. Inglese, Judith, Ill. Satya House Publications 2010. ISBN: 9780981872094. I See the Sun in Nepal takes place in a rural village in Nepal. The young girl in the story lives a traditional life with a familiar daily routine: chores, going to school, playing with friends, and spending time with her family. Readers will recognize the similarities as well as the differences between their own daily life and the culture of Nepal. In English and Nepalese.

In Search of the Thunder Dragon. Shrestha, Sophie & Shrestha, Romio. Mandala Publishing, 2007. ISBN: 9781601091000. In Search of the Thunder Dragon brings to life the beauty and traditions of Bhutan in the ancient story of the Thunder Dragons that play hide-and-seek in the clouds during big winter storms. Amber and her cousin Tashi long to see the Thunder Dragons, and they set off on a journey of discovery that takes them from an elaborate monastery to the top of the mountains, a place called the Tiger’s Nest, and on to the back of a tiger with eagle’s wings.

Kami and the Yaks. Stryer, Andrea Stenn. Dodson, Brett, Ill. Bay Otter Press, 2007. ISBN: 9780977896103. Just before the start of a new trek, a Sherpa family discovers that their yaks are missing. Young Kami, anxious to help his brother and father maintain their livelihood, sets off by himself to find the wandering herd. A spunky deaf child who is unable to speak, Kami attempts to summon the yaks with his shrill whistle. Failing to rout them, he hustles up the steep mountainside to search the yaks’ favorite grazing spots.

Kanu of Kathmandu: A Journey in Nepal. Margolies, Barbara, A. Four Winds Press, 1992. ISBN: 0027622827. A full-color photo essay captures the world of eight-year-old Kanu Sengupta, who lives in Kathmandu, Nepal, describing the sights and landmarks, local customs, and beliefs of the Nepali people.

N is for Nepal. Adhikary, Anita (2011). Illustrated by Mundy, Jen. Herndon, VA: Mascot Books. ISBN: 9781936319527. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a historical, geographical, or cultural fact about Nepal.

Nepal, Chandra Bahadur Ale’s Painting: “Simple Living.” Touba, Jacquiline & Glasser, Barbara. Ale, Chandra Bahadur, Ill. PowerKids Press, 1997. ISBN: 9780823951031. Through a painting by a Nepalese boy, readers learn what life is like in the country of Nepal. Details of the paintings are juxtaposed against color photos of the country, people, and crafts.

Red Pandas. Miller, Sara Swan. PowerKids Press, 2008. ISBN: 9781404241640. Describes the physical characteristics, habitat, diet, and behavior of the red panda of Asia, and discusses the threats they face in the wild from hunters and the destruction of bamboo forests.

A Refugee’s Journey from Bhutan. Barghoorn, Linda. Crabtree, 2018. ISBN: 9780778746904. After 9 years in a refugee camp in Nepal, Amita remembers very little of her homeland, Bhutan. At two years old, she was forced to flee her country when her family was targeted because of their Nepalese heritage. When the camp becomes an unsafe place for Amita and her family to live, they make the difficult decision to seek a permanent home in a new country. Interspersed with facts about Bhutan and its people, this narrative tells a story common to many refugees fleeing the country.

Snow Leopard. Radcliffe, Theresa. Butler, John, Ill. Viking, 1994. ISBN: 9780670850525. Winter is coming, and in the mountains of Nepal, Sabu the snow leopard and her young cub, Ka, are beginning a long and painful journey to find food. Dangers await across the snowy wastes–deep crevasses, cruel winds, and fierce wolves–but the two leopards cannot rest until they reach food and safety in the next valley.

Tiger of the Snows. Burleigh, Robert. Young, Ed, Ill. Atheneum, 2006. ISBN: 9780689830426. Vividly brings to life the fascinating true story of Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay who, realizing his own dreams, helped Sir Edmund Hillary reach the summit of Mount Everest–an event that changed history and caused both of these men to become heroes.

The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest. Jenkins, Steve. Houghton Mifflin, 1999. ISBN: 90395942187. In this stunning picture book, Steve Jenkins takes us to Mount Everest – exploring its history, geography, climate, and culture. This unique book takes readers on the ultimate adventure of climbing the great mountain. Travel along and learn what to pack for such a trek and the hardships one may suffer on the way to the top. Avalanches, frostbite, frigid temperatures, wind, and limited oxygen are just a few of the dangers that make scaling this peak one of the most extreme physical challenges one can experience.

What Do We Know About Hinduism? Ganeri, Anita. Peter Bedrick, 2002. ISBN: 9780872263857. What do Hindus believe? Where do they pray and what are the major Hindu festivals? Where and when did Hinduism begin?