Asia Culture

In 1995, at the age of 23, Michael Meyer joined the Peace Corps and, after rejecting offers to go to seven other countries, was sent to a tiny town in Sichuan. Knowing nothing about China, or even how to use chopsticks, Meyer wrote Chinese words up and down his arms so he could hold conversations, and, per a Communist dean's orders, jumped into teaching his students about the Enlightenment, the stock market, and Beatles lyrics. Soon he realized his Chinese counterparts were just as bewildered by China's changes as he was.

While Pang-Mei Natasha Chang was a Chinese Studies major at Harvard University, she stumbled across the name of her 83-year-old great aunt Chang Yu-i in a history book. Over the next several years, Pang-Mei spent long afternoons drawing forth her aunt's story. Born in Shanghai to a well-to-do family, Chang Yu-i lived a life of defiance, continually breaking class and culture barriers.

Growing up in rural China during Mao's Cultural Revolution, Da Chen was part Horatio Alger, part Holden Caulfeld, befriending both a gang of young thugs, as well as an elegant, older Chinese woman who teaches him English - and opens the door to a new life. Chen's remarkable story of triumph is filled with the universal qualities that distinguish the very best memoirs as it masterfully recounts the concerns of childhood that transcend both time and place.

Gli insegnamenti che arrivano dal Giappone sono più attuali che mai, anche in Occidente. Ma in cosa consiste esattamente lo spirito giapponese? Wa significa armonia, ma come tutte le parole giapponesi evoca molto di più. Wa è infatti tutto ciò che è mite, sereno e moderato, ma è anche tutto ciò che è giapponese. Wa è un prefisso, che come un sigillo si applica sulle cose e sui concetti. Tramite Wa, il Giappone ci insegna la sua più grande lezione: che la bellezza, la gioia e il senso civile si costruiscono con grande impegno.

If 17-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She’s landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport weren’t seen as something too rough for girls, something she’s afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her parents, excelling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena’s never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse.

Hast Du schon mal von den Merowingern gehört? Willst Du wissen, wie das Volk der Merowinger entstand? Interessierst Du Dich für die Errungenschaften der Merowinger? Sichere Dir noch heute das Buch und lerne mehr über die geschichtliche und kulturelle Entwicklung der Merowinger.

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Adults wage war, while children are unwitting victims, pulled into a maelstrom of fear and hate without any choice. This is a story about two groups of teenagers on opposite sides of the world, forever connected by an act of war. It is a story about the adults some of those teens became, forever connected by acts of forgiveness, understanding, and peace. And it is a story about one remarkable man, whose heart belonged to both America and Japan, who put that peace and understanding in motion.

Told in brief, repetitive episodes, Ichiro and the Great Mountain follows a young, free-spirited boy through the stages of life as he searches for his true self, making this original literary folktale by award-winning author and storyteller W. Nikola-Lisa a story of becoming or, in the Buddhist tradition, a story of self-realization and enlightenment.

Ajay hat einen großen Traum: Er will später einmal ein bekannter Journalist werden. Als Straßenjunge in Mumbai hat er es bisher allerdings nur zum Zeitungsverkäufer gebracht. Doch Ajay ist sich sicher: Nichts ist unmöglich! Als eine Kleidungsfabrik in der Nachbarschaft bei einem heftigen Monsunregen unter mysteriösen Umständen einstürzt, schwört er sich, der Sache nachzugehen. Zusammen mit seinen Freunden gründet er eine eigene Zeitung, in der er die Wahrheit ans Licht bringen will.

When her mother falls ill, brave Kameko sets off on a journey to bring back the jewel from the Monkey-King’s crown, known for its healing properties. Along the way she is helped by both people and kindly divinities, but will the Monkey-King give up his jewel so easily? Kameko and the Monkey-King is a magical story, showing that courage and kindness bring unexpected gifts.

Once, in a tiny village in India, a boy lived in an old house with his grandfather. They loved to do everything together—growing mangoes, making paper boats to float in the monsoon rains—but what they loved most of all was to paint. The boy and his grandfather filled their home with art. Some days, they would invite the village children to join in. They didn’t have much, but they had each other, and a loving bond that would always keep them together.

When thirteen-year-old Celeste travels to China to visit her grandmother, she uncovers an incredible family secret. And with this secret comes danger and adventure. If Celeste is to save her family and friends, she must learn to harness her rare and powerful gift.

It's the Festival of Lights in Nepal, and today is the day to honor dogs! Brothers Alu 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 an important Hindu holiday through the eyes of two young boys, making it relatable for both those familiar with the holiday and those hearing about it for the first time.

When 16-year-old Alex's parents ask him to deliver a mysterious package to their animal research camp in the Nepali jungle, he and his 12-year-old brother James do not know the trouble they are about to face. An unsuccessful ransom payment leads to an arduous journey through the crisp forests of the Wild West of Nepal in pursuit of the thugs who have kidnapped their parents. Even with the help of their friend Atti, how can three children rescue the parents from armed kidnappers?

On Hamra's thirteenth birthday, she receives nothing but endless nagging and yet another errand to run in the Langkawi jungle that looms behind her home. No one has remembered her special day. And so, stifled and angry, Hamra ignores something she shouldn’t: the rules of the jungle.

After a blissful babyhood being cared for by her loving mother, Pangolina ventures out alone into the forest to become an independent adult, helped along by wise, older animal companions, including a civet and a bat. But one day, cruel hunters trap Pangolina, putting her into a cage along with her friends, and bring them to a market to be sold as wild game. Pangolina is especially vulnerable, since her scales are prized by humans who believe they have curative powers.

Food-loving Anwar lives with his mum, Paro, in a humble village in India. One day, the Great Emperor and his caravan of people are passing by. What happens when Anwar dares to invite the mighty Emperor to dinner—and accidentally all of his followers too? No matter how frantically Paro chops more onions, mixes more spices, and pours more water into her dal, it just isn’t enough. Can Anwar save the day?

Pimpa conoce a Gian-Gin, un perrito pequinés que la invita a viajar a China en un junco. Cuando llega conoce a Baobao, un panda muy simpático que la lleva de excursión por la tierra de los dragones. Pimpa hace nuevos amigos, como Tú, el conejo y Má, el caballo, los cuales le hablan a Pimpa de lugares y tradiciones increíbles. Juntos atraviesan el Río Amarillo y la Gran Muralla para llegar hasta un árbol muy especial donde les espera el gato Mao.

It's almost Lunar New Year! Xiao Mi, Hang, Kwan, Malai, and Charu all celebrate the New Year in their own special way. Experience how each one of the Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian children and their families honor Lunar New Year, from dragon dances in China to firecrackers in India!