Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is in May. It celebrates the cultures and people from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, Guam, New Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, the Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island.
Slowly there are more and more books reflecting these cultures. When I was a child I think the only ones I remember reading are TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO and BICYCLE MAN. I’m grateful that this has expanded greatly in the past few decades, even though I know we still have a ways to go.
Below are more recent children’s books with Asian Pacific American characters and themes that I have read and loved with my kids.I tend to be drawn towards books that show children in typical every day things in books that are beautifully written and illustrated with vibrant colors. My kids also love silly and goofy picture books and graphic novels so I’ve included their favorites in those areas as well.
Also Read: Place to Start if You Want to Expand Your Bookshelves to Include More People of Color
I’ve divided them roughly by age to help guide you towards the best one’s for your child. That being said, my kids at 9 still enjoy many of the books in the Preschool section and I read them some of the books in Early Elementary section when they were preschoolers. Know your child and choose what feels best for you. These are just guidelines.
Amazon affiliate links are included in this post and you can also shop this entire booklist at Bookshop to support local bookstores.
Books for Babies & Toddlers
My First Chinese New Year
by Karen Katz
A cute sweet board book full of Katz’s bright patterns and darling babies.
Round is a Mooncake
by Roseanne Thong
illustrated by Grace Lin
This is a fun book of shapes that is playful and full of creative ways to explore shapes with the items around you.
Festival of Colors
by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal
illustrated by Vashti Harrison
For little ones, this is a wonderful introduction to the Indian festival of Holi. Brilliant illustrations, simple text, clear explanation – this is a wonderful celebration of a colorful festival.
Mother Goose Goes to India
by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal
illustrated by Wazza Pink
Gentle illustrations and slight tweaks to traditional mother goose, these are Indian twists that don’t shy too far from the originals. Names are changed. Hindi numbers are substituted. Little Miss Muffet eats dali with her whey. A collection of rhymes that is fun to read and integrates Indian language and culture seamlessly.
Books for Preschoolers and Up
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
by Grace Lin
A Caldecott Honor Book it will surprise no one to hear that the pictures in this book are spellbinding. I love reading this one when we are learning about the phases of the moon.
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Grace Lin Author Study for Kids
The Twins’ Blanket
by Hyewon Yum
I found this book when I was searching high and low for twin books when my twins were little. It is such a sweet twin book. Cozy and warm.
A Sweet New Year for Ren
by Michelle Sterling
art by Dung Ho
Joyful is the word that comes to mind. Ren wakes up full of excitement about the pending Lunar New Year and wants to help with all of the preparations. Unfortunately, everyone in her family seems to think that she’s too little to help. Ren, however, is determined to participate. I love the vocabulary, Chinese phrases, and sensory details that are peppered throughout this warm family story. Don’t miss the pineapple cake recipe in the back!
‘Ohana Means Family
by Ilima Loomis
illustrated by Kenard Park
A warm, vibrant story about the Hawaiian lu’au traditions. Written in a cumulative style, like THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, this starts with “the poi for our ‘ohana’s lu’au and zooms out to the rich land, large family and gorgeous world that going into this custom. A story of land and family and culture. Beautifully written and illustrated with lush watercolor paintings. A wonderful book about Hawaiian family and culture.
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas
by Natasha Yim
illustrated by Grace Zong
I love adaptations of fairy tales and this is a very sweet one set in Chinatown. In this retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears Goldy Luck is tasked with delivering a plate of turnip cakes with quite the adventurous and disastrous results.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao
by Kat Zhang
illustrated by Charlene Chua
Sweet little Amy just wants to help, like all preschoolers. Her family is making yummy bao but her little hands just can’t quite figure it out. I love the problem solving in this book and it makes me want to eat all the bao.
Don’t miss the equally delightful follow ups:
Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon!
Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome
Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance
Natsumi!
by Susan Lendroth
illustrated by Priscilla Burris
This was one of my absolute favorite new books in 2018. It is a wonderful book about celebrating Japanese culture, but it is also a fabulous book about being you, whoever that is. Natsumi is one of the most lovable, feisty characters I’ve read in recent history and she’s an absolute delight.
The Mountains of Mumbai
by Labanya Ghosh and Pallavi Jain
With vivid language and warm illustrations this tells the story of two girls missing the mountains in the bustling city of Mumbai. Together they find a suitable alternative to mountain tops to escape for a moment. The illustrations bring the busy, layered, textured city to life. A rare glimpse at the city of Mumbai.
I Dream of Popo
written by Livia Blackburne
illustrated by Julia Kuo
I DREAM OF POPO is about a warm relationship between a little girl and her grandmother. The young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to San Diego in the US and she leaves behind her popo. It is about how their relationship endures across time and distance. Taiwanese culture and language are also wonderfully woven into the story.
Luli and the Language of Tea
by Andrea Wang
pictures by Hyewon Yum
LULI AND THE LANGUAGE OF TEA what will students from all different cultures and countries connect to? Tea. This is such a sweet book about how some things transcend language and bring us together – tea in this case. Darling illustrations, wonderful inclusion of cultures, brief readable text. A warm picture book with such depth and heart.
Our Favorite Day
by Joowon Oh
OUR FAVORITE DAY follows a grandfather through his fairly mundane routine, mundane that is until he starts preparing for his granddaughter’s day to visit. I love the sweetness of this multi-generational story. The thought and planning and love the grandfather pours into his special day with his granddaughter is so lovely. This book shines with love and warmth.
Sora’s Seashells
by Helena Ku Rhee
illustrations by Stella Lim with Ji-Hyuk Kim
SORA’S SEASHELLS is as much a story of a little girl who loves to collect shells at the beach with her grandmother in the summer when she visits from South Korea. Rhee has carefully woven together a story about their relationship, loss of a grandparent, the joy of giving, and a small glimpse into what it feels like to be a minority in an American classroom. The layers are thoughtfully intertwined and emphasized by the luminous watercolor artwork. A wonderful story about loss and kindness.
For Early Elementary School and Up
A Different Pond
by Bao Phi
illustrated by Thi Bui
This books brings tears to my eyes. It is about a little Vietnamese American boy who goes fishing with his dad – not for fun, but for food. My kids who love fishing thought this book was fascinating. The details are so real here. It is a moving, beautiful story.
Apple Pie 4th of July
by Janet S. Wong
illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
You could read this to younger kids, but I don’t think my kids really understood what it meant to feel embarrassed until grade school. In this story the narrator wants to have a “normal” apple pie Fourth of July but her Chinese parents insist on making traditional food. Her change in perspective throughout the story leaves a warm feeling in your heart.
Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines
by Jeanne Walker Harvey
illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
This book tells the story of Maya Lin who was the designer behind the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. I didn’t know that there was a contest to design a memorial for soldiers who died during the Vietnam War. She was still in school when she won. I think the Vietnam Memorial is one of our National’s most powerful and beautiful. I loved sharing this with my kids who have also ran their fingers along the names on the wall.
Love in the Library
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
illustrated by Yas Imamura
Based on the story of how the author’s grandparents met and fell in love, this is a story about love in the unlikeliest of places. Tama and George met and fell in love and got married while living in a Japanese Internment Camp. It is about a love of books, but also about what it means to be human and how we sometimes find hope even in the darkest of situations. It is a gentle, yet powerful story. Beautifully written and illustrated.
Mindy Kim series
by Lyla Lee
illustrated by Dung Ho
This is such a sweet concept. Mindy Kim is a Korean American girl who recently lost her mom and moved with her dad from California to Florida. Her relationship with her dad feels so real and full of heart. Readers who have ever been the new kid or felt different at school will emphasize with Mindy as she attempts to make friends at her new school. There are two books in this series so far and two more on their way this fall.
Find the First Book Online
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For Older Elementary and Beyond
Stargazing
by Jen Wang
Oh wow do we love this graphic novel. It is such a heartwarming story about first impressions and assumptions and friendship. This is one that I want to give to every kid I know.
Claudia and Mean Janine
based on the novel by Ann M. Martin
illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
My daughter feel in love with the graphic novel versions of The Baby-Sitters Club books I read as a kid last year. Telgemeier does a wonderful job illustrating these and capturing the stories.
I’m OK
by Patti Kim
This is a Middle Grade book about Korean American OK Lee. This is about navigating family and friend dynamics and growing up. Full of humor, honesty and heart, this is quality fiction for kids in the 10-13 age range.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series
by Jenny Han
This is definitely for Middle Schoolers and up. It’s a sweet series that reads very much like a teenage rom com. The protagonist is a half Korean American and she’s so endearing. It’s also a movie series on Netflix now – the first two have been released.
A Place to Belong
by Cynthia Kadohata
From the Newberry Medal-winning author of KIRA-KIRA comes a middle grade book about a Japanese American girl and her family who move to Japan after World War II. It is a story about trying to fit in when you don’t feel like you do anywhere. It is about discovering who you really are. It is also a fascinating look at the aftermath of World War II.
The Downstairs Girl
by Stacey Lee
I was blown away when I realized this was a Young Adult book. I love historical fiction, especially when it helps me see history through a lens I hadn’t considered before. This puts you in the south post-Civil War after Chinese people were brought to America to take the place of the freed slaves and then left to figure out how to find a place in their new country that didn’t really want them. I didn’t even know that had happened, let alone the aftermath of these actions. A riveting story I could not put down with characters full of complexities and so much heart.
Want More? This List on Pragmatic Mom is an incredible resource.
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