Children's Book Suggestions | Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2026

A few of our favorite books about Asian & Pacific Islander Americans past and present published in 2024. For more book ideas, check out our Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month book lists from 2025 and 2024 (picture books and chapter books), browse the library catalog, or search for the name of a country or ethnic group (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.).

More great books are honored annually with the Asian/Pacific American Literary Award (APALA) and in our South Asian Heritage Month book lists (published in August).

Updated January 30, 2026
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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Children's Book Suggestions | Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2026

A few of our favorite books about Asian & Pacific Islander Americans past and present published in 2024. For more book ideas, check out our Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month book lists from 2025 and 2024 (picture books and chapter books), browse the library catalog, or search for the name of a country or ethnic group (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.).

More great books are honored annually with the Asian/Pacific American Literary Award (APALA) and in our South Asian Heritage Month book lists (published in August).

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A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests
Adderson, Caroline
A funny new fable about artistic creation and chasing fame, imagined by award-winning author Caroline Adderson, and inspired by one of Japan's most famous haikus, "The Old Pond." Bashō, a 17th-century poet on an evening walk, stops to rest next to a murky old pond. Here, readers may...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Sato the Rabbit, Morning Light
Ainoya, Yuki/ Blaskowsky, Michael (TRN)
Paper Book
Follow along on Sato the Rabbit's wondrous adventures with light, in this fourth installment of the popular series from Japan! Every morning, Sato the Rabbit opens his eyes to the soft light of day, ready to embrace all that the universe has in store for him. One day, the...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Fireworks
Burgess, Matthew
Fireworks is a sparkling picture book from the award-winning team of Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien, highlighting the simple delights of a steamy July day in the city as two siblings eagerly anticipate a spectacular fireworks display. POP! As a hot day sizzles into...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

What if we...
Chang, Vivienne
Paper Book
A USA Today Bestseller! In this charming sibling bond picture book, a young boy fights boredom by imagining all the adventures he could have, but forgets that he has a built in adventure partner with right by his side. It's only...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

The jade bracelet
Dinh, Hà
Paper Book
When the girls at school show off their shiny new bracelets, newly arrived immigrant Tien is embarrassed by the plain jade bracelet she wears as a symbol of her Vietnamese heritage. Although Tien loves the Vietnamese traditions her family celebrates, more than anything she wants...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Broken
Fang, X.
A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book! * Join Mei Mei on her hilarious and emotional journey in this dramatic and tenderhearted picture book about guilt and forgiveness, from the acclaimed creator of We Are Definitely Human. When...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Minh and the Magic Grains of Rice
Ha, Do Nguyet
"This story was so enchanting and sweet, it felt like my mẹ (mom) was reading to me. Don't worry, Mẹ, I'm eating all my rice." --Thien Pham, Eisner Award-winning creator of Family Style Read the world to change the world! In this artful picture...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

So-Hee and Lowy
Kang, Anna
Paper Book
A Read With Jenna Jr. Summer Pick! From the creators of Theodor Seuss Geisel winner You Are (Not) Small and Christopher Award winner Eraser comes a heartfelt story about the power of friendship. So-Hee is lonely. She doesn't have a brother or sister, nor...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Blue sky morning
Kim, Jihyun (Illustrator)
Paper Book
Named a Best Book of 2025 by The Center for the Study of Multicultural Childrens Literature Eunny and Mama notice the beauty of an ordinary day in this mindful picture book from the creator of The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky. Eunny wakes up slowly. Soon it's time for...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Big enough
Linke, Regina
Paper Book
From the creator of the beloved webcomic The Oxherd Boy, comes this dazzling, gorgeously illustrated picture book about a little boy who learns he is big enough to do big things.    Little Ah-Fu has a big imagination, but he can't imagine being...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Tiger, don't worry!
Ma, Daishu
The adorable duo are back! In this heart-warming tale of friendship, responsibility and courage, Mei and her exuberant friend Tiger eagerly try to help make tea, but their efforts lead to broken tools and panic! Fearing being scolded, they run away, but Mei soon realises the importance of...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Every peach is a story
Masumoto, David Mas
Paper Book
In this poignant debut picture book from authors and farmers Nikiko Masumoto and David Mas Masumoto, with illustrations by award-winning artist Lauren Tamaki, little Midori discovers that every peach on her Japanese American family's farm is a sweet reminder of those who've come before

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

The Paper Bridge
Veyrenc, Joelle
Paper Book
Anya lives in a paper village, among delicate paper trees and paper houses, where the people are paper-light. Every year the villagers of Paperlee put stones in their pockets to avoid being blown away by the late summer winds. The windy season has long past when Anya is knocked over...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

I Dance
Ranola, Diana
An easy-to-read book for girls and boys who love to dance. Perfect for kindergarten and first grade readers. I dance with a hat. I dance with a fan. I dance like a duck. I hop.  Fun pictures show dancers in authentic poses and beautiful...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Ly-LAN and the New Class Mix-Up
Dinh, Ha
Paper Book
Sometimes things don't turn out the way we plan! In this chapter book series about a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Ly-Lan navigates her life as a new third grader--complete with old and new friends, unexpected (and disappointing) changes at home and school, and finding a way to...

Bridging Fiction (Grades 2-4)

One of a kind
Fang, Vicky
Paper Book
Ava Lin's quest to earn the most kindness tickets in her first-grade class--and claim a coveted reward--leads to unanticipated results in this second chapter book in Vicky Fang's funny and heartfelt series. Ava Lin is six and a half years old, and this year she's in first grade....

Bridging Fiction (Grades 2-4)

Yelp Yeti! Chaos in Kathmandu
Pradhan, Sneha/ Shrestha, Promina (ILT).
Dev and his pet cat, Tuna, spot a Yeti in the city, but no one will believe them! A fun-packed action and adventure graphic reader set in Nepal, for young comic fans. Dev and his pet cat, Tuna, are ready for a summer of sleepovers, endless games...

Bridging Graphic Novel (Grades 2-4)

The big splash
Ahn, Angela
Paper Book
Julia and her swim team struggle with a new strict coach, but she is determined to make a big splash regardless in this buoyant illustrated chapter book for ages 7 and up. For fans of Mindy Kim and Jasmine Toguchi. Julia is dismayed to learn that Coach Marissa has to leave the...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The nine moons of Han Yu and Luli
Glaser, Karina Yan
NEWBERY HONOR-WINNER INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER * INDIE NEXT PICK * FIVE STARRED REVIEWS! Named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, ALA Booklist, Publishers Weekly<...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Theo Chang is not a cat
Jung, Mike
Meet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third grade class! Theo Chang is thrilled his family adopted a new cat, but the cat is less thrilled about his new home. Can Theo find a way to befriend the kitty before his family gives up and takes him back to the shelter? ...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Your turn Marisol Rainey
Kelly, Erin Entrada
Horn Book Fanfare Two-time Newbery Medal winner Erin Entrada Kelly's alter ego--the effervescent Marisol Rainey--returns in this illustrated school story about overcoming stage fright and taking your turn that is just right for fans of Ramona, Clementine, and Ivy & Bean.<...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

The gate, the girl, and the dragon
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
A New York Times and IndieBound bestseller! A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year! A Kirkus Best Book of the Year! A BCCB Best Book of the Year! This gorgeous DELUXE LIMITED EDITION available...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Chef's secret
Yang, Kelly
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling Front Desk series continues! Jason Yao has a secret . . . actually, lots of secrets! For one thing, it's hard being a professional chef, helping to run a motel, and being a regular kid! And now that Mia Tang is officially his girlfriend,...

Children's Fiction (Grades 3-5)

Lu and Ren's guide to geozoology
Hsieh, Angela
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli and The Tea Dragon Society, this beautiful graphic novel follows a girl who learns more about friendship and family as she journeys across the fantastical land of Lirrin to tend to its majestic animals. Lu dreams of being a great adventurer,...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

Chickenpox
Lai, Remy
Paper Book
This hilarious and heartwarming contemporary middle-grade graphic novel is about eldest sister Abby, who is sick of being trapped at home with her FOUR younger siblings as they all suffer from the chickenpox--for fans of Guts and Allergic. All big sister...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

The battle of the beasts
Lam, Maple
Paper Book
Percy Jackson meets Dragon Ball in the second book of this adorable, funny, and action-packed graphic novel series! Now the Monkey King and his sidekick Cerberus are bursting into the world of Japanese folklore! Monsters of the East, beware! Sun Wukong (aka the Monkey King...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

The many misfortunes of Eugenia Wang
Yan, Stan
In this "unique, amusing, and compulsively readable" (School Library Journal, starred review) debut graphic novel, a girl born on a day considered unlucky in Chinese superstition starts to wonder if she really is cursed when she's troubled by visions of...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

Rick Kotani's 400 million dollar summer
Brown, Waka T.
Paper Book
Oregon Book Award-winning author Waka T. Brown hits a home run in this middle grade novel about a baseball-obsessed twelve-year-old who moves to Oregon to help his grandfather--an elusive old man with a shrouded past--but ends up learning unexpected truths about his family and how...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

A study in secrets
Florence, Debbi Michiko
Paper Book
Only Murders in the Building meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library in this "intriguing, fast-paced" (School Library Journal) novel about a girl pulled into a mysterious treasure hunt at her new boarding school. Ever since her mom passed away, twelve-year...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

How to free a jinn
Idil, Raidah Shah
Aru Shah meets Aladdin in this "fast-paced...delightful" (School Library Journal, starred review) debut middle grade fantasy about a curious girl who discovers she has the power to control an all-powerful jinn. ...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Dreamslinger
Kim, Graci
Paper Book
Amari and the Night Brothers meets Pokémon in this thrilling start to Graci Kim's brand-new fantasy series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

The best worst summer of Esme Sun : a novel
Shang, Wendy Wan Long
Paper Book
Award-winning author Wendy Wan-Long Shang dives in to the deep end of sportsmanship, prejudice, and the power of friendship in this funny, heartfelt story about two very different girls and one shared passion: swimming. Esme Sun absolutely does not care about winning shiny...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

The Vale
Wen, Abigail Hing
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ABA Regional Bestseller "Ambitious . . . themes of family, friendship, and personal integrity shine." --Kirkus Reviews "A highly engaging journey of connection and transformation and an innovative...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Don't cause trouble
Chung, Arree
Twelve-year-old Ming Lee hopes middle school will be the fresh start he needs. But stepping into school with the same bowl haircut his mom insists on giving him, and wearing the extra-discounted thrift shop clothes she buys him doesn't quite make for the first day of his dreams...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Fresh start
Galligan, Gale
Paper Book
Outstanding Comics Award for Children Honor Book * Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book From New York Times bestselling author Gale Galligan comes a funny and vibrant semi-autobiographical middle-grade graphic novel about friendship and belonging. Ollie Herisson's...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Yellow singing sail : a memoir of an only child in China
Huang, Yinfan
In her early years, Yinfan lives in the small Chinese county of Xintian, surrounded by family members. But when they move for her father's new job to the city of Guangzhou, her life changes dramatically. Not only does Yinfan need to adjust to a new dialect, but she also has to comply with many new...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Outsider kids
Tang, Betty C.
Paper Book
Can one spoiled cousin upend three kids' hard-won happiness? Find out in this hilarious, big-hearted, high stakes companion to the award-winning bestseller Parachute Kids! Perfect for fans of School Trip, A First Time for Everything, The Tryout, and The Squad...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Who is Shohei Ohtani
Buckley, James, Jr., 1963-
Learn about Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani and what makes him one of the greatest players of all time! Shohei Ohtani, also known as "Shotime," is widely known for his skills in both pitching and hitting. At the 2016 Japan Series, Ohtani led his team, the Fighters, to...

Children's Nonfiction (Age 8-12)

A line can go anywhere : the brilliant, resilient life of artist Ruth Asawa
McAlister, Caroline
Paper Book
A sweeping picture book biography about influential Japanese-American sculptor Aiko Ruth Asawa and her childhood spent in an incarceration camp, by award-winning author Caroline McAlister and rising star artist Jamie Green. Growing up on a dusty farm in Southern California,...

Children's Nonfiction (Age 8-12)

Giving thanks with halmoni : celebrating Chuseok, the Korean harvest festival
Choi, Kathleen
Excitement is building for Chuseok, the biggest Korean holiday of the year, and Halmoni wants to share it with her granddaughter and her friends. With a dearth of picture books about Chuseok, this book should be a welcome addition to the literature about the celebration. Su...

Holiday Book (Age 4-8)

My Vesak : day of Buddha
Kumari, Priya
First picture book on a Buddhist Holiday published in the United States My Vesak: Day of Buddha (also known as Buddha Purnima) is an inspiring picture book that brings to life the global celebration of Vesak, honoring the Buddha. Young readers are introduced to the origins...

Holiday Book (Age 4-8)

The moon rabbit : a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Wong Nava, Eva
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a luminous read-aloud about the joys of family, sharing stories, and keeping tradition alive across generations. "See that, Mama? See the rabbit?" I say, spotting the shadows on the moon's face. "Yes, my precious. It's...

Holiday Book (Age 4-8)

Clear and bright : a Ching Ming Festival story
Robeson, Teresa
Paper Book
In this story about the Ching Ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, a young girl and her Chinese-American family come together to share memories of the past over a delicious feast. In the spring, Lily and her relatives gather for the Ching Ming Festival to honor their beloved...

Holiday Book (Age 4-8)

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