Asia Culture

Sen, a young boy in Myanmar, begins the rite of passage called Shinbyu, where he receives training at a Buddhist monastery.

After conquering the mountains in Afghanistan, Peak Marcello goes to Myanmar, a country that has been in the grips of a brutal military regime for more than fifty years, to visit Alessia. When he’s invited to climb Hkakabo Razi, one of the most isolated mountains in the world, Peak can’t pass up the opportunity. But getting to the mountain will involve a four-week trek through tropical rainforests rife with hazards—from venomous reptiles and leeches to corrupt police and military.

On the last night of the Hungry Ghost Festival, Liang discovers something evil hiding in his family’s candle shop. It's a zombie! With her friend, Tong, she must banish him away before the festival ends at midnight! Will they succeed? Or will the zombie take their qi or life energy?

King Ashoka was a fearsome conqueror in ancient India. After seeing the destruction and death from his battles, he decided to forgo war and institute peace and Buddhism in his kingdom. Learn about his peaceful reign and the lasting changes he created in India.

In India, stories spread about the magical powers in the songs of a young boy named Tansen. Years later while hunting in the forest, Emperor Akbar witnesses the magic of Tansen’s voice. Now a member of Akbar’s court, Tansen is challenged by the other musicians to perform the Deepak Raga, a song that could bring fire and death to the singer. Will Tansen be able to survive the dangers of this song?

Bengal tigers silently stalk their prey. Learn all about these sneaky night hunters and their habitats in Bengal Tigers.

Yank! The giant panda strips bamboo leaves with its sharp claws. Weighing more than 300 pounds, this is one huge bear! Listeners are introduced to physical features, behavior, habitat, and life cycle to find out why giant pandas are awesome!

Giant pandas munch on bamboo. Learn all about these gentle bears and their habitats in Giant Pandas.

Rhinoceroses graze on grass and leaves. Learn all about these powerful creatures and their habitats in Rhinoceroses.

Orangutans swing through rain forest trees. Learn all about these clever apes and their habitats in Orangutans.

Travel to India. Find out the facts about this country in Asia.

King cobras slither across the ground. Learn all about these venomous snakes and their habitats in King Cobras.

Bactrian camels roam grasslands and rocky deserts. Learn all about these rugged travelers and their habitats in Camels.

Hyun Mi travels with her family to witness a miracle of nature—a land pass between islands!

Two ancient Chinese rulers govern their kingdoms in very different ways. When Jen Fu attacks with brute force, Wu Ti fights back with cleverness. The battle is about to begin!

Pu Yi, a spoiled but lonely child emperor, learns to ride a bicycle with the help of his tutor, hoping it will impress his aloof father.

In this story, a poor boy's dream of having a drum takes him on an unlikely path. He meets several people who guide him along the way. In time, he learns to make his own magic in this world. Illustrated by Tom Wrenn.

A stray kitty gets a job in a sumo stable, chasing mice in exchange for food. But when eating like a sumo wrestler slows our feline hero down, he realizes he must train like a wrestler, too. Through hard work and perseverance - and with a little help from a big buddy - SumoKitty is born! A funny and heartwarming story inspired by the Japanese saying, "Fall down seven times, stand up eight."

When Kimi travels to Japan to escape her problems, she quickly learns more about the mother she left behind, and realizes she must figure out where her own heart lies.

Malala Yousafzai was a girl who loved to learn but was told that girls would no longer be allowed to go to school. She wrote a blog that called attention to what was happening in her beautiful corner of Pakistan and realized that words can bring about change. She has continued to speak out for the right of all children to have an education. In 2014, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.