AANHPI Voices for Kids

To recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month this May, we've collected fiction and informational texts that amplify the voices of these communities.

Updated May 4, 2026
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Incredible : Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who changed the world
Shibutani, Maia
Paper Book
Olympians Alex and Maia Shibutani continue their Amazing exploration of more than thirty extraordinary Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who have changed the world in this gorgeous and inclusive picture book. This companion book to Amazing...
Lei and the fire goddess
Maunakea, Malia
Paper Book
"Lei and the Fire Goddess blends preteen angst and beloved Hawaiian moʻolelo in a way that hasn't been done before." -Auliʻi Cravalho, actress and voice of Disney's Princess Moana Curses aren't real. At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part...
Eyes that speak to the stars
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling team Joanna Ho and Dung Ho present Eyes That Speak to the Stars, companion to the acclaimed Eyes That Kiss in the Corners. "A brilliant treatise to love of self and heritage." --School Library Journal (starred review) "A beautifully...
Dancing the tinikling
Peyton, Bobbie
Paper Book
"Jojo, come dance!" Lola calls, inviting him to leap between the clapping and slapping bamboo poles and dance the tinikling with her. Whirling, twirling, and singing in Tagalog, Jojo tries but trips. Lola dances between the two poles easily, the same way she dances between their American and...
When Lola visits
Sterling, Michelle
Paper Book
Four starred reviews! In an evocative picture book brimming with the scents, tastes, and traditions that define a young girl's summer with her grandmother, debut author Michelle Sterling and illustrator Aaron Asis come together to celebrate the gentle bonds of familial love that...
Amazing : Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who inspire us all
Shibutani, Maia
Paper Book
From Olympic ice dancing medalists Alex and Maia Shibutani, this beautifully illustrated picture book highlights the achievements of many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have made invaluable contributions to the world. Inclusivity sets this beautifully illustrated...
Bunso meets a Duwende
Valdez, Rev
Paper Book
o Bunso Meets a Mumu received a positive Kirkus review and added to the ALSC Dia 2024 list! o Tagalog glossary and recipe included. o A Thanksgiving tale told from a seldomly shared cultural lens. This book fills the gap with a Filipino American perspective of Thanksgiving--one that...
Kahoʻolawe : the true story of an island and her people
Hurley, Kamalani
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Pasifika Picture Book Winner A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection School Library Journal Best Books 2025 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2025 Orbis Pictus Recommended Reading List Center for the...
Isabel in bloom
Respicio, Mae
Paper Book
A middle-school girl discovers a connection between her home in the Philippines and her new home in the U.S. through a special garden in "this sweet and heartfelt novel that explores how bumpy beginnings can offer chances for new growth" (The New York Times) A National Council...
A child's introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander history : the heroes, the stories, and the cultures that helped to build America
Hirahara, Naomi
Paper Book
The perfect primer for kids ages 8-12, A Child's Introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander History is packed with remarkable stories, groundbreaking events, and inspirational people, that have made a lasting impact on the history and culture of the United States. ...
Aloha everything
George, Kaylin Melia
Paper Book
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner of the Hawaiʻi Keiki Book Award An ALA Notable Children's Book ★ "A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity."-starred review, Kirkus ...
Yes we will : Asian Americans who shaped this country
Yang, Kelly
Paper Book
From #1 NYT bestselling author Kelly Yang comes a gorgeously illustrated picture book about Asian American changemakers doing everything they dreamed of and inspiring all of us to reach for new heights! From creating beautiful music like Yo-Yo Ma to flying to outer space...
'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...
Lily Xiao speaks out
Chen, Nicole
Paper Book
From the author of It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! comes an empowering, heartfelt middle grade novel about a grunge-loving Taiwanese American tween who must use her voice to fight for ESL support at her school. Lily Xiao can't wait to go to Camp Rock Out this summer, where she'll...
Shining a light : celebrating 40 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who changed the world
Bybee, Veeda
Paper Book
A collective biography of 40 influential Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, from Kalpana Chawla to The Rock to Tammy Duckworth, whose historical contributions readers may not know but whose light shines on, with stunning illustrated portraits by Hugo Award nominee Victo Ngai. Meet...
Made for more
Ward, Chloe Ito
Paper Book
This joyful exploration of immigration and nontraditional beauty pays tribute to the unique identity formed by a girl's Japanese roots and Hawaiian upbringing. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners meets Your Name Is a Song.  From the shores of Japan to the coast of Hawai'i, old...
The takeout
Badua, Tracy
Paper Book
When a celebrity chef's new restaurant threatens Mila's family's food truck, she plans to expose them for the recipe thieves they are--even if that means dabbling in the Filipino folk magic she's tried to avoid. Fans of Tae Keller and Lily LaMotte will cheer for this charming story about food,...
Maribel's year
Sterling, Michelle
Paper Book
Celebrate the special connection between father and daughter in this gorgeously evocative picture book, recounting the year a little girl and her mother spend in America while waiting for her father to join them from the Philippines. From acclaimed author Michelle Sterling and illustrator Sarah...
We are here : 30 inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have shaped the United States
Hirahara, Naomi
Paper Book
A stunning anthology licensed in partnership with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, We Are Here celebrates 30 of the most inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in U.S. history.  There are more than...
Soy Sauce!
Lee, Laura G.
Paper Book
A joyful picture book for kids and foodies of all ages (with real soy sauce as paint!) that celebrates the iconic kitchen staple and the magical way food connects family and friends across the world. Salty, savory, rich, and even sweet, soy sauce is...
Box of dreams
Kazmi, Faith
Paper Book
A little girl watches as her mama fills up a big box, but this is no ordinary package. It has a special name: the balikbayan box. Together, they pack all sorts of gifts and treats for their family in the Philippines, but the girl has a secret wish to send along inside. A wish...
Dancing hands : a story of friendship in Filipino sign language
Que, Joanna
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book An Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Winner Read the world to change the world! This artful picture book about friendship and sign language, originally published in the Philippines in concert with nonprofit Room to Read, is beautifully...
Ho'onani : hula warrior
Gale, Heather (Children's author)
Paper Book
An empowering celebration of identity, acceptance and Hawaiian culture based on the true story of a young girl in Hawaiʻi who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school. Ho'onani feels in-between. She doesn't see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane...

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