Poor Chang-ming!

He has been picked for the school team but his family will be in China then, visiting his grandma.

It’s not fair. ‘I won’t go to China,’ he decides.

But what about Grandma? And isn’t a visit to China the most exciting thing ever?

Especially when it’s Chinese new year?

Chang-ming doesn’t think so … But China is full of surprises.

A new series of books for modern, multi-cultural Ireland for children aged 6-8

'distinctively illustrated by artists from the Cartoon Saloon'

'a handsome collection of full-colour picture books … well-written, entertaining and enlightening stories for children'

'particularly attractive … for reading aloud in class'

'highly recommended'

'a timely series that will be invaluable both in the school and home environment … these thought-provoking books will be of immense value to teachers, parents and of course children'

'exuberant'

'Editor's Choice' 'attractive and important'

'innovative and exciting'

'appropriate and timely'

'aimed at age six and upwards, this excellent and enjoyable non-preachy series … should be in every school'

'[Bridges] introduce us to some of the newer cultures in our island in warm and sympathetic fashion'

'an excellent and thought-provoking new series of multicultural books from O’Brien'

'captivating as well as educational'

'hopefully they are the first of many in that they ably reflect the ethnic mix that Ireland’s population has now become. Inter-racial and inter-generational, they explore differences in culture and language, and celebrate communication'

'impressively designed, with bright coloured pictures, well-spaced text and a narrative that uses simple language but in its most effective way'

'four beautifully written and very colourfully illustrated books'

'could be used in the area of integration, geography and religious studies'

'the text is carefully graded in terms of language'

'a wonderful book looking at a child reflecting on his cultural identity'

Teaching Resources: free to view and download

• Download Activity sheets: Real Chinese food: an simple introduction to chinese food, with recipes!

• Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide, class project and activities by Peter Heaney