Kids’ Storytime

Join the Chinese American Museum and Ms Rita from the Los Angeles Public Library’s Chinatown branch for this month’s Kids’ Storytime on Tuesday, October 14, at 4pm PDT. Ms Rita will be reading The Quest for A Tangram Dragon by Christine Liu-Perkins and illustrated by Lynn Scurfield. 

This book is suitable for ages 4-8, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision! 

This program is hosted virtually on Zoom. Register today by following the link in bio. 

“Kids’ Storytime featuring Asian American Authors” is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library.  

About the book: 

A clever introduction to the classic Chinese tangram puzzle, this story follows a brave Little Triangle on a quest to find a dragon who can end a long drought. Along the journey, Little Triangle meets other shapes eager to help. Together they flip, flap, swap, and swivel to form various tangrams from bats to birds! However, the shapes get stuck at a mountain and can’t seem to reach the top, no matter how much they hop, huddle, or leap. Will they ever find the dragon they are looking for? 

About the author: 

Christine Liu-Perkins is the author of At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Treasures of Mawangdui. Born in Boston and raised near Kansas City, she is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and grew up seeing the world from multiple perspectives. As a child, she loved reading about characters overcoming their challenges on great adventures. Christine also studied psychology, human development, and obtained a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Stanford. She began writing fiction and nonfiction for children after her two daughters were born. The Quest for a Tangram Dragon is her 2nd children’s book.  

About the illustrator:  

Lynn Scurfield is a mixed media illustrator (and dog enthusiast) based in Toronto, Canada. She has worked on projects for clients such as Google, Amazon, Panda Express, Puffin UK, The New York Times, Huffpost, and many more. In her work, Lynn depicts strong emotions through bold colors and textures. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Sydney Taylor Awards Gold Medal for her work in Two New Years by Richard Ho, a Blue Spruce Award for Friends Are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu, and a Mathematical Award Winner for The Quest for a Tangram Dragon by Christine Liu-Perkins.

The Commemoration of the 1871 Chinese Massacre

Join us on Friday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. PDT, as the Chinese American Museum commemorates the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871. Participate either in person or online as we gather to remember those whose lives were lost.

This year’s annual observance marks 154 years since October 24, 1871, when a racially motivated mob of 500 Angelenos stormed into a predominantly Chinese neighborhood in Los Angeles, attacking residents and looting homes and businesses. The violence claimed the lives of 18 victims, including that of a young boy. Although eight perpetrators were convicted for their involvement in the attacks, the convictions were overturned just a year later.

This tragic event occurred on the doorsteps of what is now the Chinese American Museum. Since 2010, CAM has annually observed October 24th as a significant date in American history. On this day, CAM will continue to acknowledge the past while providing a safe space for reflection and dialogue on contemporary issues surrounding race and xenophobia.

This year’s commemoration will include:

• A candlelight vigil led by Dr. Gay Yuen, Board Chair of the Friends of the Chinese American Museum, followed by a traditional Chinese bowing ceremony to honor the victims.

• Keynote remarks by Susie Ling, Professor of Asian American Studies and History at Pasadena City College, who will reflect on the history of racial violence and lessons for our present.

• Special remarks from the 1871 Memorial Project.

• Spoken word performances by artists arianna lady basco and MaJiK MC, honoring the victims of 1871 and others affected by racial injustices.

 Pre-registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendees. Register today at camla.org/1871commemoration.