AAPI Books for Kids

There is joy in seeing yourself reflected in books and there is knowledge in reading other’s stories. This list is a selection of books featuring characters and cultures of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Updated June 25, 2026
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Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
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AAPI Books for Kids

There is joy in seeing yourself reflected in books and there is knowledge in reading other’s stories. This list is a selection of books featuring characters and cultures of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

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The yellow áo dài
Bui, Hanh.
Paper Book
Lovingly illustrated by Minnie Phan, Hanh Bui's debut picture book, The Yellow Áo Dài, is a warm story of family, identity, and remembering those who came before. Naliah is excited to perform a traditional Vietnamese Fan Dance at her school's International Day. When she...
The jade bracelet
Dinh, Ha?
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...
Many things at once
Hiranandani, Veera
Paper Book
In this poignant picture book about family and belonging, the child of a Jewish mother and a South Asian father hears stories about her family history. Sometimes she doesn't feel Jewish enough or South Asian enough, but comes to realize you can feel--and be--many things at once. AN...
Ritu in the Sun
Hossain, Moniza
A lyrical picture book about one little girl's experience with colorism-and a celebration of that which can make us see things anew- light and love. Ritu loves the sun. She loves it in the morning when it slants in through the kitchen window; in the afternoon when it makes the...
Gwei the hungry ghost
Lee, Emeline
A picture book about a lonely ghost who learns to share and is finally fulfilled through friendship. Gwei the ghost is absolutely famished, but unlike the other ghosts in the cemetery, he won't eat just anything. Luckily, it's Ghost Festival month: the one time a year when...
The fearless flights of Hazel Ying Lee
Leung, Julie
Paper Book
An inspiring picture book biography about Hazel Ying Lee, the first Chinese American woman to fly for the US military. Hazel Ying Lee was born fearless -- she was not afraid of anything, and the moment she took her first airplane ride, she knew where she belonged. When...
Navigating Night
Leung, Julie
Paper Book
A girl guides her dad on his route delivering Chinese take-out food in this touching picture book -- written by an APALA award winner and illustrated by a Caldecott Honor winner -- that celebrates the unique bond between immigrant parents and their children. Every night, a girl...
Bilal cooks daal
Saeed, Aisha
Paper Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book 2019 Six-year-old Bilal introduces his friends to his favorite dish--daal!--in this charming picture book that showcases the value of patience, teamwork,...
Mango memories
Singh, Sita
Paper Book
Here is a completely captivating picture book that celebrates family, tradition...and mangoes! Every summer, the branches of a little girl's favorite tree droops heavy with mangoes. And this year, she is finally old enough to help her family harvest them. Her...
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...
A garden in my hands
Sriram, Meera
Paper Book
This touching picture book celebrates the custom of applying henna for special occasions through a mother and daughter who share family memories and stories. The sweet smell of henna, and stories we carry, fill us with pride of a faraway home. There's a...
Punky Aloha
Tuiasoa, Shar
Paper Book
Meet Punky Aloha: a girl who uses the power of saying "aloha" to experience exciting and unexpected adventures! Punky loves to do a lot of things--except meeting new friends. She doesn't feel brave enough. So when her grandmother asks her to go out and grab butter for her famous...
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. While driving through Ohio in an old...
Spicy spicy hot
Wen, Lenny author, illustrator.
Paper Book
A heartwarming and humorous story about one girl determined to embrace the spice of sambal in order to connect with her grandmother and heritage--perfect for fans of Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao and Thank You, Omu! When Lintang finally gets to taste her...
Kapaemahu
Wong-Kalu, Hinaleimoana
Paper Book
An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, based on the Academy Award-contending short film. A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Century In the 15th...
Jeong Is Jeong
Yoon, Jessica
"What is Jeong?" a little girl asks her grandma, and so begins a lyrical journey of discovery, kindness, and understanding in this ode to Korean American language and culture. How can one tiny word mean so much? Luna loves spending time with her little brother Joey...
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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/747.1110/list/8097

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