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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Nana, Nenek & Nina
Ferneyhough, Liza
Paper Book
***ALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature honor*** Nina loves visiting her two faraway grandmas-one in Malaysia and one in England. Spot the similarities and differences between their homes in this cozy and beautifully illustrated picture book! Nina lives in...
Jasmine Toguchi, flamingo keeper
Florence, Debbi Michiko
Paper Book
*A fun activity included in every book!* A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2018 Jasmine's best friend, Linnie, has just gotten a puppy. And now Jasmine wants a pet of her own--a flamingo! So when her grandmother sends Jasmine a daruma doll as a surprise gift,...
American desi
Gopal, Jyoti Rajan
Paper Book
For fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, this poetic story filled with expressive art empowers South Asian children living in the United States and celebrates being bicultural. Pavadais in bright gold colors Jersey shirts and faded jeans
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...
Danbi's favorite day
Kim, Anna
Paper Book
The sequel to the Asian Pacific American Honor winner. Danbi's favorite day is here! Thrilled to invite her friends to celebrate Children's Day as she did in Korea, she promises kites, tigers, and magic train rides. But when the reality of a picnic behind her parents...
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...
'Ohana means family
Loomis, Ilima
Paper Book
Join the family, or ohana, as they farm taro for poi to prepare for a traditional luau celebration with a poetic text in the style of The House That Jack Built. An American Library Association Notable Children's Book "This is the land that's never been...
Calling the wind : a story of healing and hope
Ludwig, Trudy
Paper Book
Inspired by the Wind Telephone in Japan, this poignant story explores the stages of grief, the healing power of hope, and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us all. From the acclaimed author of The Invisible Boy and the award-winning illustrator of One. In a...
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, acclaimed author Bao...
My bindi
Varadarajan, Gita
Paper Book
In this universal story about embracing who we are and where we come from, a young girl finds the magic and power of wearing a bindi for the first time, in this moving and lyrical picture book debut from Gita Varadarajan. There in the mirror, I see a shining star. My...
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...

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