Click HERE to view Gabrielle Wang’s books on PINTEREST  

In line with the new Australian Curriculum – Australian/Asian focus, the following books may be of interest to teachers for use in the classroom.

The Race for the Chinese Zodiac

Years Prep – 6 

~ picture book

~ Ancient Chinese myth/fable

~ river and mountain setting

~ animals with human attributes

~ historical

Themes for class discussion:

Friendship and cooperation – Rooster, Goat and Monkey band together to build a raft, Ox takes Rat and Cat on her back.

Altruism – Dragon helps Rabbit without Rabbit knowing. Dragon could have come first except that he stops to help relieve a drought.

The smallest can achieve great things. Rat is the smallest of the animals.

There are different ways to do things. There are many paths to achieve a goal – Rooster, Goat and Monkey build a raft, Pig floats across on her back, Rabbit floats on a log, Dog, Horse, Tiger, Ox are strong swimmers, Dragon flies across the river.

Friendship and Betrayal – Rat pushes Cat into the water, leading to a long term feud between cats and rats.

The strong helping the weak – Ox and Dragon help others.

Determination – Rabbit, Rat and Cat don’t like water but they still join in the race.

 

The Lion Drummer (Aussie Bite)

Years 1- 4

 

~ Chinese themes

~ Australian urban setting

~ Chinatown

~ Chinese dragon parade

~ Chinese traditions

~ immigration

 

Four Poppy Novels which are part of the Our Australian Girl series

Meet Poppy, Poppy at Summerhill, Poppy and the Thief, Poppy Comes Home

Years 3 to 6 

~ Gold Rush

~ historical fiction (Victoria  and NSW 1864)

~ Indigenous themes

~ Chinese themes

~ The setting – along the Murray River from Echuca to Beechworth

~ immigration

 

The Garden of Empress Cassia

Years 3 to 6

~ urban Australian setting

~ Chinese landscape setting of lakes, pavilions, grottos, mountains

~ magical realism

~ Chinese themes

~ immigration

~ Chinese philosophy

~ adventure

~ art

 

The Pearl of Tiger Bay

Years 3-6

~ coastal township setting

~ Chinese themes

~ supernatural themes

~ Chinese philosophy

~ adventure

~ immigration

 

The Hidden Monastery

Years 3 – 6

~ set in a Queensland rainforest and a magical Chinese monastery

~ mythical creatures

~ hurricanes/weather

~ themes of conservation

~ magical realism

~ Chinese themes

~ immigration

~ adventure

~ Chinese philosophy

~ martial arts

~ Chinese mythology

 

A Ghost in My Suitcase

Years 3-6

This novel is a prequel to The Pearl of Tiger Bay

~ Chinese themes

~ modern day setting

~ set in Australia and an ancient Chinese water town like Venice

~ historical references to China

~ supernatural themes

~ Chinese philosophy

~ adventure

 

Little Paradise

Young Adult novel

Years 7 – 10

 

~ YA historical fiction based on a true story

~ World War 2 and Chinese Communist Revolution

~ Chinese WW2 history

~ mapmaking

~ fashion

~ art

Downloads


Download this page as a PDF document.

Download Teacher’s Notes (PDF) for:

• The Garden of Empress Cassia Teachers’ Notes 1
• The Garden of Empress Cassia Teachers’ Notes 2
• The Pearl of Tiger Bay
• The Hidden Monastery
• A Ghost in My Suitcase
• Little Paradise
• Meet Poppy