The California Department of Education has a list of Standards-aligned literature; this list contains only a small amount of titles from The California Department of Education's Recommended Literature: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, published in 2002. For the list in its entirety with a searchable database, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/literature
Spanish (1 page of each grade level grouping listed here)
Kindergarten Through Grade Two
Grades Three Through Five
Grades Six Through Eight
Grades Nine Through Twelve
"This African folktale begins with a mosquito teasing an iguana, causeing the iguana to panic. The panic is contagious, but all of the trouble is traced back to the mosquito. The African motif illustrations feature colorful, outlined pictures. African Culture. Picture Book. Caldecott Winner."
"Using the theme of crops and gleaning produce, the author covers each letter of the alphabet with thoughtful phrases that celebrate the land and the Latinos who work on it. The poetic text, in English and Spanish, and the warm illustrations reflect the author's feelings about the land. California author and setting. Latino/Latino American Culture, Multicultural. Alphabet Book, Picture Book. Pura Belpre Illustration Honor. History/Social Science."
"This charming story depicts animals doing silly things. The book features ryhming words, predictable text, and number concepts. California Author. Picture Book."
"This seasonal collection of 22 bilingual poems is inspired by childhood memories of summers spent by Latino poet Alarcon in Mexico. Gonzalez's paintings blend bright colors with Mexican folk art and textile designs. This anthology connects with discussions of family traditions and history. California author. Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book. Pura Belpre Narrative Honor. History/Social Science, Science."
"California Latino poet Alarcon's bilingual collection of 19 poems celebrates spring and the fruits of family and sunshine. Colorful double-page illustrations feature a lively cast of characters, old and young, human and animal. California author. Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book. Pura Belpre Narrative Honor. History/Social Science."
"This collection of fine stories is about hunters from the northeastern region of Argentina. A glossary aids understandings of numerous Argentine regionalisms and the traditional beliefs and practices of the people. Latino/Latino American Culture."
"This collection of poems for children features colorful illustrations and a view into the Hispanic culture. Latino/Latino American Culture.
"This volume contains eight popular children's stories: 'Little Red Riding Hood,' 'The Elves and the Shoemaker,' 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff,' 'The Princess and the Pea.' 'The Gingerbread Boy,' 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears,' 'The Three Little Pigs,' and 'Jack and the Beanstalk.' Read Aloud"
"The author reminisces poetically about his impressions of his childhood in Los Angeles and talks about his family. The illustrations are colorful, double-page paintings. California author and setting. Latino/Latino American Culture, Multicultural. Picture Book."
"Two household pets, a dog and a cat, attempt to make life miserable for each other. But when nighttime comes and everything is dark, they discover the need to work together. Expressive, full-page cartoon illustrations enhance this story. Easy Reader, Picture Book."
"Four poor sisters in New England experience the Civil War at home. The social customs, the economics, and health problems faced by people in that era are presented in realistic detail. The author shared many of her experiences in this novel. Classic."
"Two mischievous weavers convince the emperor they are making him beautiful new clothes, visible only to those fit for their posts, but when he wears them during a royal procession, a child recognizes that the emperor has nothing on. This edition is retold by 23 celebrities and illustrated by 23 world-renowned artists.
This large-format publication coonsists of seven stories with detailed watercolor illustrations of princesses, soldiers, emperors, animal,s and others. Picture Book
"Sounder, a black sharecropper's family dog, plays a key role inthis story about poverty, injustice, and the special bond between a boy and his dog. Black/African American Culture. Newberry Winner.
"The Ciboney people of Cuba explain the phenomenon of an eclipse, as personified by Greedy Sun's refusal to share the sky with Moon in this Latin American legend. Bold watercolors ass interest to the legend, and basic information about the country is provided in the afterword. Latino/Latino American Culture.
"This collection of 14 brief stories tells about embarrassing moments, the first kiss, sexual peccadilloes, and other topics of interest to adolescents. Set in Mexico, these stories do not depict proper, modest, or righteous conduct; rather, they describe spontaneous experiences in the daily lives of young people. Latino/Latino American Culture"
"This epic story of the passionate Trueba family begins at the turn of the twentieth century in South America. California author. Latino/Latino American Culture.
"The sequel to How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, this story focuses on the most outspoken and mischievous of the four sisters, Yolanda. Yo, as they call her, is now a writer and draws on the characters and stories of her life as subject for her books much to her family's dismay. Latino/Latino American Culture."
"The untimely deaths of the three Mirabel sisters, all outspken critics of Dominican dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo's oppressive regime, are recounted. Latino/Latino American Culture. Outstanding Books for the College Bound. History/Social Science."
"This collection is an excellent introduction for teens into the life and work of the great Cuban poet, Nicolás Guillen (1902-1989). The black-and-white photographs add depth and dimension to the text. Latino/Latino American Culture.
Vietnamese (1 page of each grade level grouping listed here)
Kindergarten Through Grade Two
Grades Three Through Five
Grades Nine Through Twelve
"This book contains two Vietnamese stories using animal characters in problem-solving situations. In the first, a rabbit eventually turns into stone because he refuses to wash himself. In the second, courageous chicks are able to rescue their mother from the mean fox with the help of the eel and the bee. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture. Picture Book.
"This book contains two Vietnamese folktales. 'The Clever Bird and the Stupid Bird' tells of two birds who fight over a nest and are outsmarted by a cat. 'Salty Sea' tells why seawater is salty. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"Eight-year-old Lee Ann, a Vietnamese girl, grows up in an American school and society. This book shows how aspects of both world are incorporated into a new life. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"In this Vietnamese folktale Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Stork invite each other to dinner and try to outsmart one another. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture. Picture Book."
"This children's story is about individual differences, played out among different animals of the savannah. Picture Book."
"This full-color pop-up book takes children on a romp through the jungle. The reader's excitement is sustained from page to page as an animal sees a small part of another and wonders who it belongs to. The book teaches the concepts of parts and whole with English text and a Vietnamese translation. Picture Book."
"A Vietnamese boy is bitten by a dog. Because doctors and medicine are scarce, his life hangs in the balance. Written in English, the book contains illustrations that depict authentic Vietnamese life. A Vietnamese communist soldier's uniform is shown. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"Searching for the strongest husband for his daughter, a mouse goes to the sun, cloud, wind, and wall in search of a qualified candidate, only to find him among his fellow mice. Full-page watercolor illustrations accompany the text. Chinese/Chinese American Culture."
"This book contains six traditional folktales that teach a variety of lessons, such as the meaning of friendship; the importance of education; and the value of hard work, family love, and contentment. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"This story of a dying child is based on a play written by one of India's foremost writers and educators."
"Children often wonder why ducks sleep on one leg. This Vietnamese tale explains the mystery. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"Grace loves to read stories and act them out. When her class decides to stage a production of Peter Pan, other children say she can't be Peter--because she's a girl and because she's black. However, Ma and Nana say she can do anything she sets her mind on, and Grace proves that they are right. This is a good book for discussing self-image and promoting imagination. Black/African American Culture. Picture Book."
"Frog's eggs are stolen by Catfish, who claims ownership as they turn into tadpoles that look like him. But when brought to court, the tadpoles turn into frogs, and Catfish is beaten up. This tale explains why the catfish's head is flat. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"Walls around the world can separate or hold communities together. The Australian Aboriginal rock wall art, the Wailing Wall, the Great Wall of China, and the Berlin Wall are featured in this book. Multicultural. History/Social Science."
"A farmer's son doesn't pass his high school exam in spite of the family's hard work to save money for his studies. On his return from the city, he realizes his place was among his beloved family and his land, not in the city. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"This selection explains the story of Thanh Minh, a Vietnamese holiday that honors ancestors. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"This English translation features 48 popular Vietnamese folk poems. The book includes a discussion of the history, development, and literacy values of this timeless genre in Vietnamese literature. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"This collection of essays describes the actions and emotions of ordinary people going through everyday events. The characters' inner thoughts and reactions reflect the Vietnamese points of view of spiritual and social issues. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"Classic oral literature, as well as works of prominent authors in the Vietnamese literature from the first century to the early 1980's, is presented in this anthology. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"A young, talented girl must overcome many misfortunes before she can be reunited with her loved ones. One of the situations she experiences is being sold into a brothel. Classic."
"This English translation features more than 100 folk poems and the contemporary works of popular Vietnamese poets. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"This collection of 248 Vietnamese folk stories and legends for children includes both human and animal subjects as major characters. It is an informative and surprising book. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"Renowned Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh addresses Vietnamese youths on the issues of self-identity, idealism, education, love, and religion. He advocates understanding and responsibility as the goals in building a meaningful life."
"This romance novel, written in Vietnamesse, tells the story of a young woman who is ill-treated by her mother-in-law and accused of killing her husband. Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
Hmong (1 page of each grade level grouping listed here)
Kindergarten Through Two
Grades Three Through Five
Grades Six Through Eight
Grades Nine Through Twelve
"These three volumes include 43 folktales from Hmong of Laos. Black-line drawings introduce each folktale. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"This bilingual text retells the story of how the gods decided on the names of the Chinese zodiac by holding a race for the animals. It is illustrated with paper sculpture collage. Regional dilectical differences are present in the Hmong text. Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book."
"Searching for the strongest husband for his daughter, a mouse goes to the sun, cloud, wind, and wall in search of a qualified candidate, only to find him among his fellow mice. Full-page watercolor illustrations accompany the text. Regional dialectical differences are present in the Hmong text. Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book."
"Despite a cruel stepmother's schemes, Ntsuag Nos, a young Hmong girl, finds true love and happiness with the aid of her dead mother's spirit and a pair of special sandals. This higher-level text is illustrated with acrylic paintings. English and Hmong versions and a teacher's guide are also available. Hmong/Hmong American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements."
"This Hmong version of Romeo and Juliet, set in the norhtern mountains of Laos, tells the story and loss of two young lovers. The story is illustrated with paintings that highlight the Hmong culture. Regional dialectical differences are present in the Hmong text. A teacher's guide is available. Hmong/Hmong American Culture. Picture Book.
"The songs, chants, and poems in this collection are often recited at various Hmong ceremonies. It is written in Green Hmong. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"These eight folktales introduce four cultural groups from Laos and Southeast Asia. Each section begins with cultural notes related to the folktale, and black-line drawings illustrate each folktale. Regional dialectical differences are present in the Hmong text."
"Flute player Jimmy Tune allows the influence of alcohol to rob him of his success, but her is given a chance to redeem himself when he is befriended by a group of happy, dancing mice. Full-page watercolor illustrations highlighted by black line are included. Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book."
"An angry emperor wishes to execute seven clever brothers, but they trick him through their extraordinary individual qualities. Full-page watercolor illustrations reflect the Chinese culture. Regional dialectical differences are present in the Hmong text. Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book."
"Hmong chants and poetic songs, which are recited for courtship, weddings, and celebrations such as Hmong New Year and other events, are presented in this collection. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"Walls around the world can seperate or hold communities together. The Australian Aboriginal rock wall art, the Wailing Wall, the Great Wall of China, and the Berlin Wall are featured in this book. Multicultural. History/Social Science."
"Bursting forth from a rock on Flower Fruit Mountain, the mythical Chinese Monkey King is born. The story tells of his 20-year apprenticeship with a magical immortal and his defeat of the demon of Chaos. Watercolor illustrations are highlighted with black ink. The tale connects to the history/social science curriculum for the sixth grade. The text is in English and Hmong. Regional dialectical differences are present in the Hmong text. Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book."
"A farmer uses traditional crops and farming techniques to outwit a demon who demands half of everything he grows. Ful-page color paintings highlight the text. Regional dialectical differneces are present in the Hmong text. Picture Book. History/Social Science."
"The history and way of life of the Hmong in a region of China are described, including farming, crafts, weddings, and other topics. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"This nonficition selection is a historical telling of the role of the Hmong in the Vietnam War. Black-and-white photgraphs show important events, people, and places in the conflict. Hmong/Hmong American Culture, Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture."
"This book includes stories, folktales, folk songs, and the history of the Hmong. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"This selection features legends, folktales, and folklore of the Hmong as told in the mountains of Laos. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"This selection includes a comprehensive collection of myths, legends and folktales of the Hmong, with explanatory notes on Hmong culture, customs, and beliefs. Paper edition. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"This book provides a complete description of Hmong marriage customs and rituals before, during, and after the ceremony. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"This collection of chants, legends, and proverbs presents some cultural information and the way of life of the Hmong people. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."
"This selection tells the Hmong history in China, the culture, way of living, and crafts of the Hmong still living in China. Notes and maps are provided at the end. Hmong/Hmong American Culture."