Children's Books for AAPI Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Check out some of the books below to celebrate!

Updated April 25, 2023
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American desi
Gopal, Jyoti Rajan
Paper Book
Pavadais in bright gold colors Jersey shirts and faded jeans Swapping, changing, feeling seen... Which is the color of me? A young girl longs to know where she fits in: Is she American? Or is she Indian? Does she have to pick or can she be both? With bright,...
Samira surfs
Guidroz, Rukhsanna
Paper Book
A middle grade novel in verse about Samira, an eleven-year-old Rohingya refugee living in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, who finds strength and sisterhood in a local surf club for girls. Samira thinks of her life as before and after: before the burning and violence in her village in...
One day
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
"An affirming and enchanting love letter from parent to child." -- Kirkus (starred review) "The heartfelt title will be welcomed by new parents as the narrator voices the universal dream of wishing the best in life for their newborn." --Booklist "It's cozy and hopeful...
Brown is beautiful
Kelkar, Supriya
Paper Book
For fans of Hair Love and Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, here is an empowering picture book about recognizing the beauty around you and within you by award-winning author Supriya Kelkar and rising star illustrator Noor Sofi. Brown is beautiful.
Kimchi, kimchi every day
Kim, Erica
Paper Book
Whether round and crunchy like a kimchi pancake or pinched and plump like a kimchi dumpling, there are so many ways to enjoy this Korean traditional dish. Explore the different ways to eat kimchi in this fun, rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Korean-American author...
Home is in between
Perkins, Mitali
Paper Book
In the timely yet timeless picture book Home Is in Between, critically acclaimed author Mitali Perkins and illustrator Lavanya Naidu describe the experience of navigating multiple cultures and embracing the complex but beautiful home in between. Shanti misses the warm...
You are life
Phi, Bao
Paper Book
"An affirmation for Asian American youth." --Kirkus ReviewsYou are . . . You are . . . You are . . . Every child is bursting with amazing things! This joyful picture book celebrates the wonderful and complex identities of children of immigrants and refugees. Through poetic text,...
Holi hai!
Soundar, Chitra
Paper Book
"Soundar's clear, concise text provides an excellent introduction to Holi and its significance, as well as a beautiful story about love and forgiveness, making it a great choice for reading alone or sharing with family."--Booklist Celebrate the...
Stargazing
Wang, Jen
Paper Book
Stargazing is a heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel in the spirit of Frizzy and Mexikid, from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Jen Wang. Moon is everything Christine isn't. She's confident, impulsive, artistic . . . and though they...
The dragon path
Young, Ethan
Paper Book
In this action-adventure fantasy, young Prince Sing must overcome monstrous obstacles to help his clan return to their homeland. The Wong Clan must leave their ruined homeland for a better life in the mythical Old Land, but to get there they must follow the dragon path, where their sworn enemies,...

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