To borrow a video (maximum 3 at a time for a $10 handling fee), you must be a current 2006 FCCNY member and have a Mastercard, Visa or Amex card. We will take your credit card number and if the video is returned within 3 weeks you will be charged a nominal shipping and handling fee of only $10 .........BUT YOU MUST RETURNED THE VIDEO WITHIN THREE WEEKS. After 3 weeks you will be charged the entire purchase price of the video plus a $50 service charge!

Please contact Kathy Urbina at Urbina9@aol.com or 718-852-8979 to make lending arrangements.


***Chinese Culture & Language for Kids***
Trav’s Travels – Geography for Kids China
Chinese Knot Craft
A Trip to Chinatown
Dancing Dragon
The Art of Chinese Dance
Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei
Reading Rainbow: Liang and the Magic Paintbrush
Amazing Performances by Children

Early Start Mandarin Chinese with Bao Bei the Panda, Colors and Animals

Cooking with Kids: Exploring Chinese Food, Culture, and Language

Chinese for Kids Mandarin Chinese Beginner Level I

Chinese For Children by ChinaSprout volume 1

Chinese For Children by ChinaSprout volume 2

***Learning Support***
Misunderstood Minds

***Pandas***
National Geographic: Secrets of the Wild Panda
National Geographic: Save the Panda
In the Wild: Pandas with Debra Winger

***Adoption***
Goodbye Baby
The Struggle for Identity: Issues in Transracial Adoption
Original Kin: Annie Ong - Lost & Found
Original Kin: Broken Roots
Original Kin: Relativity
The Willow Trees
The Red String
Crossing Chasms
Adopting from China: A Video Survial Guide
Small Treasures
Made in China
Chinese Daughters
And Baby Makes Two: Single Motherhood
Unlocking the Heart of Adoption
Good Fortune
First Person Plural
My Unforgotten Daughter
Love Without Boundaries
Perspectives on Adoption: International Adoptees Tell Their Stories
“I Wonder…” Teenagers Talk About Being Adopted

International Adoption: Changing Culture One Child at a Time

Alice in Big Nose’s Land

***CHINESE CULTURE & LANGUAGE for KIDS***
TRAV'S TRAVELS - GEOGRAPHY FOR KIDS CHINA (1998) VHS 20 minutes
Join Trav on this cultural tour of China! Explore the tomb of terra-cotta soldiers and bronze horses of Xi'an, and climb the Great Wall of China. From the water cities of Suzhou to the Himalayan mountain range and plateaus of Tibet, Geography for Kids-China provides a perfect introduction to the geography of China for grades 3-6. cost $20


CHINESE KNOT CRAFT

VCD, English and Chinese (should play on most DVD players or up-to-date computers)
Knot Craft is one of China’s most ancient folk arts. Using colorful silk threads, beautiful plaited ornaments are made in a variety of auspicious patterns. Nowadays, knots are widely used as ornaments for clothing as well as for decorations in houses. They are even used in modern graphic designs. This VCD introduces the seven basic ways to make Chinese knots.
Cost $20


A TRIP TO CHINATOWN VHS 30 minutes
Discover Chinatown while learning Mandarin Chinese. Join Mei-Yin and Qian Yi as they spend a day in one of New York's liveliest neighborhoods. As you follow their journey through market, herb shop boutique, Chinese school, playground and restaurant, you'll learn about Chinese culture from the inside. Sing along -- and dance along – with Mei-Yin, Qian Yi, and lots of FCC kids. You'll have so much fun, you won't even notice that you're learning a new language! (Cost $25)


DANCING DRAGON : The Puzzle Place VHS 30 min Preschool - 3rd gradePuppet characters representing kids from various ethnic and geographical backgrounds present songs and stories that help preschool children celebrate and appreciate diversity in people. In this program Skye and Kiki learn about Chinese New Year and to respect Julie's property by not opening the box addressed to her in Chinese. ($25)


THE ART OF CHINESE DANCE by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company VHS 45 minute
A fantastic journey into the delightful world of Chinese culture, this video is a colorful introduction to the Art of Chinese Dance by one of the most renowned dance company in the world: Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. It is an artistically excellent and culturally rich program that can inspire the imagination of the young and old. Based on some of the most vibrant dances seen in Chinese celebration and festivals, The Art of Chinese Dance includes the powerful lion dance with percussion music, the vivacious ribbon dance with long silk ribbons making calligraphic patterns in the air; as well as the beautiful fan dance beguiled by audience all over the world. ($30)


PLAY & LEARN CHINESE WITH MEI MEI, Volume 1 (1999) VHS 42 min
Finally, a fun and easy way to learn Mandarin Chinese! Mei Mei Hu uses her proven teaching techniques to introduce basic Chinese through songs, movement and repetition. Children will begin speaking and singing Chinese naturally as they watch it over and over!
Topics presented are: Numbers, Parts of the Body, Actions, Games, Greetings, Family, Names, Ages and Songs. This video is suitable for children of all ages, but especially suited to the 3-8 year-old group. (Cost $25)


PLAY & LEARN CHINESE WITH MEI MEI, Volume 3 VHS approx. 32 minutes.

This video challenges young language learners by inviting them to use their new words in real-life situations, and move beyond the stage of one-word vocabulary to the formation of simple phrases and sentences. Drawing on her 20 years’ experience teaching Chinese to children, Mei Mei makes the language come alive through the magic of music, dance and song. This volume guides children through the vocabulary for fruits and drinks, and then expands their new knowledge by having them ask and reply to the questions: “Where is it?” and “What is this?” Children will return again and again to these engaging lessons, presented in English, Pinyin, and Chinese characters. (cost $20)

Reading Rainbow: LIANG AND THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH VHS 29 min
Taken from an old Chinese legend, a poor boy who longs to paint is given a magic paintbrush that brings everything he paints to life. LeVar explores how art is integrated into many aspects of the Chinese American culture. He takes a trip to New York City’s Chinatown and visits with an expert of Chinese calligraphy, a stonecarver who makes LeVar a name stamp, and a gourmet Chinese chef. He also takes viewers to the New York Institute of Technology where he is shown how to use computer graphics to create art. Then he participates in a Chinese parade. (Cost $25)


AMAZING PERFORMANCES BY CHILDREN vhs 29 min Grades K - 9
Learn about Chinese culture and children's life through watching their amazing performances. Ten imaginative stage dances by energetic Chinese children dressed in various bright costumes interpret a wide variety of stories, games and traditions. With verve, grace and acrobatic skill, they portray frisky schoolboys, gentle butterflies, little ducks, and drummers, accompanied by lively music. This video will enchant and educate youthful audiences everywhere! All songs & dances have brief explanations in English. Children can stand up and dance along and see how other children use their talents to their full potential. (Cost $30)

EARLY START MANDARIN CHINESE with Bao Bei the Panda, Colors and Animals

DVD 1 hour 2005
Designed primarily for the preschool crowd, this live-action DVD series stars Bao Bei (“Treasure” in Chinese), a child-voiced panda hand puppet. Bao Bei, an animated cricket, and a multiethnic cast of children teach viewers simple phrases and words in Mandarin Chinese. Volume 1 introduces basic colors and animal names. It also provides some phrases and words that would be useful in making friends.


COOKING WITH KIDS: Exploring Chinese Food, Culture, and Language

DVD 30 minutes 2006
This brand new DVD is great for families to watch and learn together, and contains much more than just Chinese cooking! It will give your kids a unique and entertaining way to learn Mandarin Chinese tones, words, and phrases. It is also a wonderful glimpse into the Chinese culture and language. You will see the colorful and famous San Francisco Chinatown, learn how to use chopsticks, and make a delicious meal consisting of Egg Flower Soup, Stir-fried Chicken, and Almond Cookies. Great fun for the whole family! Children ages 8 to 12.

CHINESE FOR KIDS: Mandarin Chinese Beginner Level I DVD 30 minutes 2005

Language Tree brings fun and excitement to language learning. Starring native Mandarin speakers and 3-D animated characters, this DVD teaches basic conversational Mandarin Chinese within the context of a fantastic birthday party - full of lively songs, delicious food, and playful games. Billy and his cute Shih Tzu puppy, “Benboo”, teach useful phrases for everyday situations along with words for colors, numbers, and toys. ($25)

CHINESE FOR CHILDREN volume 1 by ChinaSprout 2 DVD, 15 lessons, which are 10 to 15 minutes in length Ages 5+. English, Mandarin Chinese, Pinyin with Tone.

A creative and appealing Chinese language learning tool for kids, Chinese for Children presents lessons in the form of a story that kids will love to watch again and again. Dou Dou and her family have just moved into a new apartment, where they meet new friends like Le Le and his grandmother, Nai Nai. While settling in, Dou Dou discovers a lost pet turtle. As this engaging story unfolds, children will learn words and phrases for greetings, family members, household items, play, health, and more, all in a real environment with a relatable story. The use of repetition, through storytelling and animated introductions, helps to improve word and tone mastery. Ages 5+. English, Mandarin Chinese, Pinyin with Tone.

CHINESE FOR CHILDREN volume 2 by ChinaSprout 2 DVD, 15 lessons, which are 10 to 15 minutes in length Ages 5+. English, Mandarin Chinese, Pinyin with Tone. See above for description..

***LEARNING SUPPORT***
MISUNDERSTOOD MINDS -- VHS 1 hr. 30 min. PBS documentary (first broadcast 3/27/02)
Follow the compelling personal stories of five children and their families, struggling with learning differences, in this remarkable 90-minute documentary. As parents, educators, clinicians, and other professionals help the kids better understand their learning profiles, they gain strategies and solutions that lead toward success both in and out of the classroom. (Cost $25)

***PANDAS***
National Geographic: SECRETS OF THE WILD PANDA VHS 55min
Quite possibly the world's most beloved animal, the Chinese Panda is nevertheless threatened with extinction. Human development destroys more of their range every year. Zoo breeding programs are disappointing as cubs rarely survive, and yet one in ten of the world's population of pandas lives in captivity. However, a dedicated team of Chinese scientists spent 10 years in the wild, observing the animals in their natural habitats to learn how to save them. Miraculously, the team found a newborn cub, which they named Hope, and her mother, called Double Lucky. Follow the team as they live in a difficult forest environment to learn everything they can to ensure the survival of the species, both in the wild and in protected areas. (cost $25)

National Geographic: SAVE THE PANDA vhs 59min
Save the Panda, an in-depth look at the many problems surrounding the preservation of this appealing animal. The film crew goes to the People's Republic of China with the World Wildlife Fund to examine means of protecting these giant, elusive bears. Unfortunately, the principal food of the bears, bamboo, has endured a major die-off, effectively removing vast amounts of sustenance from their already shaky existence. Coupled with a loss of habitat and the inability of zoos to breed pandas with consistent success, the fate of the panda looks grim indeed. (Cost $25)


IN THE WILD: PANDAS WITH DEBRA WINGER vhs 60 min
Originally broadcast as a PBS television special, this video is a combination nature film/ Hollywood interview. Actress Debra Winger flies to China and accompanies several scientists into the mountains to investigate the small and dwindling population of pandas. While Winger is led through the mountains to see pandas in the wild, the scientists explain many of the reasons this unique animal is endangered. (Cost $25)

***ADOPTION***
GOODBYE BABY by Pat Goudvis 2005 DVD ~ 58 minutes
"Goodbye Baby provides layer upon layer of valuable information and insights. It offers a rare, penetrating glimpse into controversial adoption issues (in this case within Guatemala). It examines a process that touches millions of lives and thoughtfully explores its complexities. This is an intimate and compelling film, and an important one. People within the community will need to see it; everyone interested in the complex, changing world of modern families will simply want to."–Adam Pertman, Executive Director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. By examining the ramifications of money, private lawyers, media coverage and women's rights on the adoption process, Goodbye Baby illuminates the complexity of international adoption from the vantage point of those in a country sending the children. (cost $100)

STRUGGLE FOR IDENTITY: ISSUES IN TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION

2000 21 min VHS
This powerful video brings into focus the issue of race, culture and identity in adoptive families. Six adult adoptees articulate their experiences with the major issues facing transracial families. It is refreshing to hear teenagers speak so candidly about their conflicts and confusions. One African American girl says "My parents are Swedish American and I love my parents, but at the same time... we need to look to black parents to give us the answers." Another girl remembers that as a child she desperately wanted to return to her country. Another young man questions how parents will react when their adopted kids goes through the "anti-white stage." This is an essential tool for parents and adoption professionals. (cost $100)


ORIGINAL KIN: ANNIE ONG-LOST AND FOUND 2004 50 min DVD
How does one live with the impossible dilemma of choosing between two mothers? Born Annie Ong in Singapore to a Malaysian mother, Jeannette Loakman was adopted and raised by a German mother and English father. At the age of 30, she tried in vain to find her birth mother and made a documentary on her unsuccessful quest, The Last Seven Days as Annie Ong. But seven years later, married and living in Toronto, Jeannette receives an unexpected e-mail and suddenly finds herself with a new mother and three sisters. The situation becomes the subject of a new film, but this time, Jeannette allows Stefan Randström to play the director’s role. With great honesty, she expresses her mixed feelings of joy, impatience, and enthusiasm, but also fear and guilt. We follow each step in Jeannette’s journey, from her meeting with her biological mother to the anguish of her adoptive mother, whose health deteriorates rapidly when this “rival” comes into her life. A therapeutic film, Annie Ong shows how three women reconcile themselves to their past and present lives. (cost $100)


ORINGINAL KIN: BROKEN ROOTS 2004 50 min DVD
Chronicles 19-year-old David's struggle to find inner peace. He hopes that returning to his birthplace, Korea, will ease the pain at the root of his destructive behaviour and dangerous sense of disconnection. His adopted family is supportive but they consider this a last resort. But will meeting his Korean family quell his cultural angst? And can he handle the news that his biological mother was tricked into giving him up by his biological father? Directed by Susan Chang. (cost $100)


ORIGINAL KIN: RELATIVITY 2004 50 min DVD
Brenda Kovrig says she "always hated adoption reunion shows." And yet, she too embarks on a journey to find her birth family, grappling with issues of identity, ancestry, genetics and deep, dark secrets. Funny and painful, Kovrig visits a philosopher, a therapist and a scientist in her search for clues to who she is and who she might have been. Part coming-of-age, part detective story, she wonders if and when she'll meet her biological family. Brenda Kovrig admits that she is no fan of 'adoption' films but wanted to explore the mystery of biological relationships, connectedness and belonging. Directed by Brenda Kovrig. (cost $100)


THE WILLOW TREES DVD, 28 Minutes
A Chinese willow tree pattern book caught her eyes. She bought it and made an announcement that surprised everyone: a daughter was waiting for her in China. Bonnie Ward was pursuing her dream of becoming a mother and at the same time finishing an unfinished dream of her sister. To Bonnie's surprise, her Chinese daughter was always fascinated with willow trees. And then, from China, there came a photo of this beautiful lake, the Willow Tree Lake. Still, she couldn't part with an inscrutable feeling that something was left unfinished. Then the unthinkable: a girl from the same orphanage near the same willow tree lake was referred to her. As the two girls grew, their appearance became more alike, until one day someone delivered a message.
The Willow Trees, created by a team led by Dr. Changfu Chang of Millersville University of Pennsylvania, is more than an incredible story of the lives of two litle Chinese girls and the revelation of their lost relationship. It is a story of beautiful dreams and connections between two generations of sisters, between the past and and the present, and between the East and the West. (cost $25)


CROSSING CHASMS – vhs 60 minutes, 1998, Documentary
Director: Jennifer Christine Yang Hee Arndt
Crossing Chasms is a documentary about Jennifer Arndt, a Korean adoptee, who returns to her birth country seeking answers to the complex questions surrounding her adoption. In her search to define her identity, she walks through her past to understand the present. On this journey she meets other Korean adoptees who share their experiences as she tries to track down her own biological family. Through her own story and the testimonies of seven other adoptees, we learn about the complex issues facing Korean adoptees through their own voices.


THE RED STRING VHS or DVD 25 minutes
A baby girl is relinquished by her birth parents in China; she is adopted by an unmarried woman in the United States. What then? This documentary film takes an intimate look at how four mother-daughter pairs create and weave together culture, heritage and tradition in their families. Allison Branscombe - FCCNCal says "I have seen this film, and I recommend it highly. Its richness grows as you revisit this treasure. While the subjects are single moms who have adopted girls from China, the messages of this documentary film by Elizabeth Pearson encompass much more. The dialogue reflects the thoughts of the children and their parent about many facets of their adoption, their lives here and how it might have been different had they stayed in China. The kids I have shown it to (about 12 kids, ranging from 7 to 11), have really gotten absorbed in it. It sparked lots of discussion and dialogue." Cost $20


ADOPTING FROM CHINA – A VIDEO SURVIVAL GUIDE 2002 VHS
A must see for anyone considering international adoption!
A record number of Americans now adopt children born outside the United States - many of those children are coming from China. While much is written about the process, this is the FIRST comprehensive video that shows prospective parents all the steps involved in bringing home a foreign-born child. Former TV News Reporter Rebecca Coates Nee takes you on her personal adoption journey to China. In this hour-long video, she shows you: why there’s a need for adoption in China, how to choose an agency, cost estimates, requirements, the documentation process, helpful Internet resources, tips for managing the wait, how to prepare for the baby, common medical concerns, what to pack for the trip and what to buy in China. (Cost $25)


SMALL TREASURES 1993
A video made by the founders of Families with Children from China. This video offers a great historic look at the beginnings of China adoption. (Cost $25)


MADE IN CHINA by Karin Lee, 47 minutes, 2000, suitable for older children.
An award winning documentary film, directed and written by Karin Lee, "Made in China" looks at adopted children from China by families in Canada. The children, age 5 - 13, are predominantly girls and are disarmingly frank and poignantly insightful as they tell their own stories and speak about racial difference and biological identity. Many of the children live with Caucasian families and face the challenge of making sense of their identity and their roots at a very young age. Their stories reflect their inner conflicts and how they have come to terms with their hybrid identities. Sometimes tough, sometimes vulnerable, the children reveal the joys and pain of living in a visibly adoptive family. Made in China is a moving portrait of several remarkable children and their adoptive families whose stories are powerful, sad, humorous and inspirational. (Cost $30)


CHINESE DAUGHTERS VHS 27 Minutes 2003
Meet the Singleton sisters, nine year old Emma, ten year old Samiee, and their friend, nine year old Lou Doyon, all adopted from orphanages in China. While the girls celebrate their cultural heritage and begin to explore their own identities, they must also confront the harsh truth that they were abandoned. Winner of the ''Best Documentary Short'' Award in the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, 2003, the Globe calls it ''Soulful and haunting'' and the Courier says it ''... does a great job of showing the children's perspective...''
(Cost $30)


AND BABY MAKES TWO: SINGLE MOTHERHOOD VHS 58min
This 60-minute documentary is a candid and emotional look at 11 single women who have decided to actively pursue motherhood without the assistance of a spouse or boyfriend. The women are in a support group in New York City and are intelligent, articulate, and financially independent. But they also feel that since they are nearing the end of their fertile years they must stop waiting and "go it alone." The documentary was filmed over two years and focuses particularly on two group members -- Debbie and Jan -- who are both 43. Debbie becomes pregnant by an unknown donor and viewers follow her throughout her pregnancy. Jan, despite dozens of attempts and thousands of dollars, fails to become pregnant. Viewers follow her through a journey of initial optimism, disappointment, and finally a transition to adoption. ($40)


UNLOCKING THE HEART OF ADOPTION by Sheila Ganz VHS 57 minutes
"Unlocking the Heart of Adoption" is a film about the lifelong impact of adoption on all three members of the adoption triad: adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents - in same-race and transracial adoptions. Told through the personal stories of adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents, the film explores issues common to all members of the adoption community: abandonment, loss, identity, self-esteem, and the need to know. This 58-minute documentary makes a powerful statement that speaks to and for many who live and have lived the adoption experience across generations. ($50)


GOOD FORTUNE by Corky Merwin 1998 VHS 55 min
This video examines the adoption of Chinese children by U.S. parents, profiling six diverse families who share their adoption stories, meeting a parent who worked inside an orphanage before ever planning to adopt, one who lived through China's Cultural Revolution, and another who has spent over twenty years researching adoption in China. It is a video about building families, as well as overcoming cultural myths and misunderstandings. (Cost $25)


FIRST PERSON PLURAL by Deann Borshay Liem, one hour, suitable for adults and teens.
Deann Borshay Liem, adopted at age 8 from Korea, has made an award winning film about her journey to understand the circumstances and meaning of her adoption. The film includes a meeting between her Korean birth mother and her American adoptive parents and conversations with her Korean and her American siblings. This is a riveting film that provokes tears, laughter and deep thought about many aspects of international adoption. (cost $50)


MY UNFORGOTTEN DAUGHTER VHS 48 min
When Rhode Island native Meredith Bishop went to an orphanage in southern China to pick up Jadra, her daughter, she confronted an unexpected situation. Jadra had moles and birthmarks all over her body and doctors suspected they might be cancerous and she may not live more than one year. After spending two nights with Jadra in the hotel, Meredith made an extremely difficult and controversial decision: she would send Jadra back to the orphanage and let her daughter die peacefully in China. However, Jadra did not die. When news of her daughter still alive in the small orphanage in China reached her almost three years later, Meredith knew exactly what she must do. But this time she was facing insurmountable difficulties. (Cost: $30)


LOVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES VHS 58 min
Created by a team led by Dr. Chang of Millersville University of Pennsylvania, this video highlights moments in the experience of six families who have adopted children from China. Through vivid accounts of the adoptive parents and their adopted children, Love Without Boundaries takes us into the lives of a growing population in American society, offering a clear sense of who these families are, why they adopt from China, their excitements and concerns, their identity as a unique group, and their attitudes toward Chinese culture as well as birth mothers of their children. (Cost: $30)

PERSPECTIVES ON ADOPTION: International Adoptees Tell Their Stories is a released documentary based on the life stories of three adult international adoptees. The three women featured in this documentary are Leslie who is 29 years old and adopted from Korea at the age of 5 months, Sara who is 30 years old and adopted from Korea at 3 years of age and Alexis who is 23 years old and adopted from India when she was 4 months old. Sara and Alexis mother are also featured discussing their views of the issues their children faced growing up. Alexis mother, Susan Tompkins, is a social worker and runs Journeys of the Heart Adoption Services, so she speaks from the perspective of both a parent and an adoption professional. The primary issues discussed focus on growing up as a racial minority, particular struggles during adolescence and how returning to their birth countries helped them come to terms with being adopted.
VHS video, NTS (North America Standard) or DVD, 38 minutes (Cost $30)


I WONDER…TEENAGERS TALK ABOUT BEING ADOPTED by FAIR vhs 45 min
In this video you will meet fourteen teenagers who were interviewed by Vera Fahlberg, MD, an internationally known author, consultant, trainer and therapist whose work has focused on the needs of children placed outside of their family of birth. The “experts” in the videotape are a diverse group of young people between the ages of thirteen and twenty who were adopted at various ages and with a wide variety of personal circumstances. They generously volunteered to share their thoughts about adoption so that other families and professionals could learn more about the impact of adoption on the lives of children and teenagers.
The participants were not aware of the questions they would be asked before the videotaping session, nor were their answers rehearsed in any way. The taping was done in two groups (younger and older teens) with Dr. Vera Fahlberg. No parents were present. The feelings and ideas contained in the video therefore represent the real language, thoughts and reactions of a representative group of young adopted people. ($40)

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION: CHANGING CULTURE ONE CHILD AT A TIME

VHS 26 minutes 2003
This 26 minute television program highlights the issues surrounding international adoption. Through on-camera interviews and video shot on location in West Texas and in China, the program explores culture, language, race and identity. The video features interviews with Texas Tech University child development professionals, adoptive parents and their children.

ALICE IN BIG NOSE'S LAND DVD 52 minutes 2003
In the late 1980s, Québec led the way in adopting children from the People's Republic of China. Since then, over 5,000 Chinese children, primarily girls, have found a home in Québec. Filmmaker Nicole Giguère and her adopted Chinese daughter Alice are one of these new families re-shaping Québec's cultural identity. "Big Noses" (da bi zi) is the familiar Chinese term for Westerners like Nicole. This documentary follows Alice over a span of 10 years, as she and many of her friends face the challenges of growing up in North America within their hybrid families. With a personal voice, Giguère presents "big-nosed" parents and their Chinese daughters sharing their love, concerns and expectations as they learn to adopt each other. Members of Québec's long-established Chinese community also express their views on this emotional and sometimes controversial issue.