Dear Friend,

We hope you had a happy Mother's Day and that you were showered with love! Now it's time to think about Dad, whose big day is June 18th! Visit ChinaSprout's Father's Day Page to find many unique gift ideas for the men on your list. We also have launched our updated Teachers Gift Page, where you can find thoughtful expressions of gratitude for the teacher who has inspired your child to reach for the stars. This week, our newest shipment includes new home decor, and accessory products, as well as language and bilingual books, and children's toys.

Father's Day Special Gifts

Father's Day is June 18th. Forget the polka-dotted tie or black ankle socks, and get Dad something he will truly treasure -- a gift from ChinaSprout. Visit ChinaSprout's Father's Day Page to find unique gifts you won't find anywhere else. ChinaSprout also offers complimentary Father's Day E-cards for you to send to dads near and far.

Teachers Special Gift

Say a special thanks to your child's teacher for a year of guidance, support, and encouragement. You will find everything from small tokens of appreciation to more personal expression of gratitude on ChinaSprout's Teachers Gift Page. Visit our Community Section and you will also find free Teacher Thank You E-cards for you or your child to send.

Free Father's Day

As a special Father's Day gift, we are offering this FREE Cloisonné Ballpoint Pens to customers whose order totals $75 or more. To apply the coupon to your order, add the Cloisonné Ballpoint Pens to your shopping cart. When you arrive on the Shopping Cart page, enter in the coupon code 1147748941 and hit the "Apply Coupon" button. After the coupon is successfully added to your order, you will see the message: "Coupon Applied". Offer good while supplies last. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER.

Chinese Character
Stone Cufflinks

Dragon Filter Teacup

Panda and Dragon Silk Fans

Chinese English Puzzle Words

Home Decor & Accessories

Take a moment out of your day to relax and enjoy one of our special tea blends served in a dragon filter tea cup. Place these pieces, along with a pretty silk fan, in our handpainted wooden basket to create a wonderful Asian tea gift box. We also have added a lovely wallet and pretty porcelain beads, which are great for craft projects.

For Kids...

Keep little ones active after school with fun games and projects from ChinaSprout. Choose from new painting craft kits, chess sets, and pretty outfits for their favorite Asian dolls. Plus, you can make your little girl feel special with a red thread or zodiac bracelet.

Books to Learn Chinese

With school coming to an end, it's a good time to consider creating a little summer challenge. Dedicate a few hours every week to learning the Chinese language with your kids. ChinaSprout has great new books, puzzles, and posters to help! Schools can also incorporate these beginning language products into their fall curriculum.

Bilingual Books

Make bedtime reading both fun and educational when you share our picture books and poems with your children. Our bilingual books are easy to read and make a wonderful addition to a language learning program -- whether at home or in school.

The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Letha Hadady, one of the nation’s leading experts on natural Chinese remedies, is leading a quiet lady-like revolution to bring herbal medicines from the Far East and elsewhere into everyday use in American homes.” Read the latest on her blog Letha's Health Secrets.

The Healing Power of the Human Voice

Traditional Chinese medicine uses for informal diagnosis the sound of our voice–its timber, pitch, quality, speed, and power–because vocal production projects qi energy, our vitality. When tired we groan, when angry or tense we bark or snarl, and when sad we whine. People with asthma sometimes pant or wheeze being short of breath. Our laugh can be a high-pitched squeal when we are excited or fearful.

Read the full story here

The China Related TV list is compiled weekly by Kirby Bartlett-Sloan. Kirby, an adoptive parent of three Chinese girls, has one of the most comprehensive TV listings of programs on China and from China that are in the English language.

Smart Travels--Pacific Rim with Rudy Maxa - Shanghai

A trip to Shanghai, China and the surrounding area includes a visit to the gardens of Suzhou, and a stop in the town of Zhouzhuang. Sunday May 28, 2006 11:30am-12:00pm on WPBA (Atlanta PBS) - Travel

Click here for more listings

For Tan Dun's 'First Emperor,' the Met Does a Way-Out-of-Town Tryout

NYTimes - May 14, 2006 - THE first fitting of "The First Emperor's" new clothes was outsourced from New York to China last month in an unusual workshop for the most expensive and complex opera the Metropolitan Opera has ever commissioned.

Read the full article here

NOTE: Select NY Times articles require registration which provides free and instant access to breaking news, reviews, online classifieds and more on NYTimes.com.

"The sound of a temple bell on a stilll midnight can waken the great dream of life. The moonlight reflected on a limpid pool can reveal the soul outside the body." - Tending the Roots of Wisdom

It is important to take time out, be still, and connect with ourselves. No matter where you seek this stillness, try to create time for silent moments of reflection. It is these times that awaken and refresh us. We encourage you to remember to take time for yourself!

Your Friends,

The ChinaSprout Team

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