May 1 marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month (AAPI)! Show To celebrate, read these amazing children’s books with Asian and Pacific Islander representation. Not only are the books beautiful and well-written stories, but they also are tools for inclusivity, education, and empathy building. Before, during, and after reading, TALK about these AAPI stories. Ask children, “What do you have in common with the characters?” If the culture is new to readers, ask children, “What did you learn about the characters or culture?” Finally, in the wake of violence against Asian Americans, it’s more important than ever to discuss kindness towards other people, all people. Model that you are a kind person and help your child know that you want them to also show kindness and support towards people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Asia and the Pacific Islands are comprised of many countries and cultures. To that end, I also have other book lists representing more specific AAPI countries and areas of the world:
Below, you’ll find the following:
Children’s Books to Read for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (AAPI)Picture Books for AAPI Heritage Month
‘Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak In the tradition of the cumulative poem, “This is the House that Jack Built“, this mesmerizing version shares a Hawaiian cultural tradition of making poi for an ohana’s lu’au. Pak’s atmospheric, stylized watercolor illustrations and Loomis’s lyrical text show the many “hardworking hands, so wise and old, that pick the kalo to make the poi to share with ‘ohana, the loved ones.” Readers see the ohana’s connection to the earth in rain, sun, and mud. Finally, the family gathers at the end of the day together on a beach to eat and celebrate.
My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska Yoon loves writing her name in Korean but her father insists she must write her name in English. Yoon decides she isn’t sure about her name in English and wonders if another name would be better.
Wishes by Muon Thi Van, illustrations by Victo Ngai Gorgeous illustrations and lyrical text work together in beautiful harmony to narrate the bittersweet goodbye as a family leaves their Vietnamese village and travels by boat. They get picked up by a bigger boat and eventually arrive at a new city, a new home. It’s an important story arc of sad endings, challenging middles, and hopeful beginnings with room for inference and connection about the themes of family and feelings and the topic of immigration. “The light wished it was brighter. // The dream wished it was longer. //The clock wished it was slower.”
Written in poems, this is a beautiful but bittersweet story about siblings Gracie and Jake moving away from the home that they once knew, saying goodbye to family and favorite things, and traveling to a new, colder home. Throughout, Gracie shares her feelings and her observations as well as her wonderful imagination. The text is simple but meaningful. Wonderful!
Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin The girl’s family stops on the side of the road to gather watercress. She’s embarrassed and mad because she hates being poor. Later that night, while eating the watercress, her mom shares about her childhood in China and how her younger brother died from starvation. The girl feels bad for being embarrassed about her earlier perceptions. With a new understanding of her history and the value of having enough food, she eats the bitter, delicate watercress.
This picture book narrates a loving, tender bond between two sisters. It’s a relatable, sweet story that shows the importance of the hijab in the Muslim faith and feeling pride in who you are. The little sister, Faizah, looks up to her big sister, Asiya, and when her big sister wears a beautiful, blue hijab for the first time, other students make fun of her. But Asiya remains strong and unaffected.
Sunday Funday in Koreatown by Aram Kim Yoomi’s disappointed with the reality of her day when her expectations are dashed. There’s no kimbop, no first choice book, and she spills on her shirt. Her discouragement shifts as her dad helps her find an alternative choice plus, she gets excited with the arrival of her grandma. Easy Chapter Books (Ages 6 – 9) for AAPI Heritage Month
My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun Four sweet stories of Yu’er and her grandpa show their warm bond and Yu’er’s adventures around their Beijing neighborhood. The first story is about Yu’er’s desire to compete in the Special Olympics. Other stories include defending herself from bullies with the help of a new friend as well as a magical old mailbox that transports Yu’er through time. This is a beautifully illustrated book of stories that feels nostalgic and heartwarming.
Jasmine is jealous that the older kids in her family have important jobs on the mochi-making day — she wants to do what the older boys and men are doing, pound the mochi rice. Her understanding father figures out a way for Jasmine to join in. And even though it didn’t work out how she wanted, her family is proud of her and decides it’s okay to break some rules like who gets to pound the rice. You’ll love how Jasmine’s Japanese-American culture and warm family community shine throughout.
Playful writing, whimsical illustrations, and rich Pakistani-American culture…One of the best things about Omar is his HUGE imagination! He uses his imagination to deal with moving, starting a new school, bullying, and racism. Middle Grade Books with Asian and Asian American Representation
After moving from China to the U.S., Mia and her parents have struggled but find a live-in job at a motel where they end up working around the clock for very little pay. Mia helps out by working at the front desk. She befriends the weekly tenants and uses her English skills to write letters advocating people in tough spots. Not only is this a memorable coming-of-age immigrant story but it also shows the determination and hard work of immigrants like Mia’s family. Based on the author’s childhood, I can’t recommend this book enough — it’s very well-written coming of age immigrant story about diversity, inclusion, and advocacy. Exceptional! Korean American Pippa is a great basketball player but her guardian older sister won’t let her play unless her grades improve. When math tutoring leads to a scholarship at a prestigious private school, Pippa uses the new school to reinvent herself, hiding her background from the popular kids. While she’s figuring out who she is, she is mean to her best friend and other kids at her new school. But, someone is watching and documenting it all, sending her threatening emails, then publishing the truth for the entire school to see. In a satisfying ending with valuable life lessons, Pippa decides to not be ashamed of her working-class family, her culture, or her friends. Park writes a wonderfully touching multilayered story about a young half-Asian girl’s life during western expansion, frontier times. After Hana’s mother dies, her father moves the two of them to a small midwestern town. Park sets the scene with care and you’ll see a realistic portrayal of life in the 1880s from the point of view from someone who is experiencing racism. Despite many unfair things, Hana stays resilient and determined to graduate from school and help her father in his shop.
Pashmina is a graphic novel about an Indian-American girl finding her place in the world. She travels to India to meet her extended family and finds answers about the magical shawl her mother owns. This is a lovely coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel conveyed in incredible, irresistible art. Not only did I learn a lot about Indian history during the time of Gandhi, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this incredible, passion-filled book. Anjali’s parents join the Indian freedom movement against the British government. Through her parents, Anjali begins to see her world differently including the poverty-stricken caste of many people call “the Untouchables”. Other Indian families do not like the changes her family is making. Then, Anjali’s mom is thrown in jail! I couldn’t put this book down.
Lou and her mother live in San Francisco with her grandmother. Lou’s worried when her mother says that they need to move somewhere more affordable so Lou makes it her mission to build a tiny house on the land her architect father left her, hopefully before they are forced to sell it. Readers will enjoy the close-knit Filipino family’s lives as well as Lou’s determination.
Amal’s life is turned upside down when she offends a regional Pakistani overlord and is forced to leave her home and school to work in his home as a servant — indefinitely. She finds her inner strength and fights back, freeing herself and the other household slaves. The author deftly sets the scene of rural Pakistan. Readers will feel transported, feel the injustice personally, and cheer for Amal’s bravery.
Secrets of the Terra-Cotta Soldier by Ying Chang Compestine and Vinson Compestine If your kids aren’t interested in Chinese history, they will be after reading this novel. Ming lives in rural communist China with his father, who finds artifacts for the museum. A discovered terra-cotta soldier comes to life and befriends Ming. They must work together to protect the soldiers and Emperor Qin’s tomb. The authors weave in historical photos and information throughout the story.
Jameela is one of four girls in a Pakistani-American family and she’s passionate about journalism but in her enthusiasm, she hurts a new friend when she writes something he isn’t comfortable sharing with the world. While she digests these hard-earned lessons, she learns that her beloved little sister has lymphoma. Khan skillfully weaves a story of family, culture, community, and social justice.
Excellent! Before Tai’s Vietnamese grandmother dies, she gives him her Jade ring. He wears it and discovers that he’s a Green Lantern who must protect the earth from evil like Sinesteo. Not long after, he discovers that the rich guy trying to take over the neighborhood for redevelopment turns out to be a Yellow Lantern working for Sinesteo. The pacing and storyline are excellent. I love the message that difficultly can also be overcome with mental strength, creativity, and drawing. Lots of action, intrigue, and humor! Great for fans of DC, superheroes, and art.
Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat In a Thai-inspired world where caste determines your future, Sai’s new job as a mapmaker’s assistant is far beyond her station, which is why she can’t wait to join the Mapmaker on a sailing quest to find a new continent and maybe, find herself a new home. During the trip, the Mapmaker reveals his past hubris of mapping and claiming already-inhabited lands which their war-hungry country would then use and destroy. Meanwhile, Sai is slowly is lured into believing the lies of the captain’s manipulative stepsister who eventually leads a murderous mutiny and disaster.
Pahua has always seen spirits, including her best friend who is a cat spirit she names Miv. When she accidentally releases an angry bridge spirit who steals her little brother Matt’s soul, she knows she must fix what she did or Matt will die. She travels to spirit realms to find Matt and the angry spirit along with Miv and an irritable shaman-in-training girl who helps guide them and saves her more than once. Journeying to save her brother involves a lot of almost-dying, cool Hmong mythology world-building, and the chance to grow into herself. I loved Pahua’s character–her devotion to her brother, her kindness and compassion, and her bravery. Excellent. Young Adult Books with Asian and Asian American RepresentationRobin’s mom moves them from Korea to the United States where they live with her mom’s boyfriend’s family in Alabama. It’s a tough transition. Robin doesn’t speak English. Her new step-family is unfriendly. She has no way to contact her friends back home. But she finds solace and a friend in a comic-drawing art class. Her mom leaves her husband which brings them close again and Robin eventually finds her place and her confidence. This graphic novel is a realistic, heartwarming memoir that shows the challenges of immigration.
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