Children's Book Suggestions | Asian American & Pacific Islander Picture Books

Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with these picture books from our monthly scavenger hunt!

Updated February 15, 2024
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Little chicks
Gomi, Taro
Paper Book
Taro Gomi's little chicks are on a big adventure-and when they arrive home again, their loving parents will be waiting to hear all about it! From the beloved author of Everyone Poops, a charming tale of three little chicks who are ready to explore the big, wide world...
My best friend
Fogliano, Julie
Paper Book
An NPR Best Book of the Year! New York Times bestselling author Julie Fogliano and Caldecott Honor winner Jillian Tamaki come together to tell a delightful story of first friendship. she is my best friend i think i never had a best friend so i...
Itty-bitty kitty-corn
Hale, Shannon
Paper Book
From bestselling and award-winning superstar duo Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham comes a delightful kitty and unicorn picture-book story that celebrates the magic of friendship--and being exactly who you want to be! A New York Times bestseller!
You are (not) small
Kang, Anna
Paper Book
Winner of the 2015 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Two fuzzy creatures can't agree on who is small and who is big, until a couple of surprise guests show up, settling it once and for all! The simple text of Anna Kang and bold illustrations of New Yorker cartoonist...
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. Now available in paperback. "This is the land that's never been sold, where work the hands, so wise and old,...
A big mooncake for Little Star
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
A gorgeous picture book that tells a whimsical origin story of the phases of the moon, from award-winning, bestselling author-illustrator Grace Lin Pat, pat, pat... Little Star's soft feet tiptoed to the Big Mooncake. Little Star loves the delicious...
Watercress
Wang, Andrea
Paper Book
Caldecott Medal Winner Newbery Honor Book APALA Award Winner A story about the power of sharing memories--including the painful ones--and the way our heritage stays with and shapes us, even when we don't see it.  New England Book Award Winner
Red is a dragon : a book of colors
Thong, Roseanne
Paper Book
A little girl discovers a rainbow of colors in the world around her. Many of the featured objects are Asian in origin, but all are universal in appeal. A short glossary explains the cultural significance of the objects featured in the book.
The most beautiful thing
Yang, Kao Kalia
Paper Book
A warmhearted and tender true story about a young girl finding beauty where she never thought to look. Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with a great deal of love and little money. Weaving together Kalia...
The adventures of Beekle : the unimaginary friend
Santat, Dan
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning creator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art in an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in...
The cat from Hunger Mountain
Young, Ed
Paper Book
Caldecott Medalist Ed Young delivers a visually stunning, poignant story about humility, wastefulness, and appreciating what one has. ANew York TimesBest Illustrated Children's Book of 2016! An Amazon Best Book of the Year! A Kirkus Reviews...
Playing at the border : a story of Yo-Yo Ma
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling author of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, Joanna Ho, delivers a poignant picture book biography about the musician Yo-Yo Ma, immigration, and using music to build bridges. Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor * Featured in Book Riot's...
A boy named Isamu : a story of Isamu Noguchi
Yang, James
Paper Book
Awarded an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Picture Book Honor, this stunning picture book brings to life the imagination of Japanese American artist, Isamu Noguchi. (Cover image may vary.) If you are Isamu, stones are the most special of all. ...
Drawing from memory
Say, Allen.
Paper Book
Caldecott Medalist Allen Say presents a stunning graphic novel chronicling his journey as an artist during WWII, when he apprenticed under Noro Shinpei, Japan's premier cartoonistDRAWING FROM MEMORY is Allen Say's own story of his path to becoming the renowned artist he is today. Shunned by his...

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