Asian and Pacific Islander Voices: Books for Early Childhood

Updated April 18, 2024
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Drawn together
Le , Minh
Paper Book
The recipient of six starred reviews and the APALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature!   Named a Best Book of 2018 by the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Smithsonian, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Booklist, the...
Sakamoto's swim club : how a teacher led an unlikely team to victory
Abery, Julie
Paper Book
The inspirational and little-known story of a dedicated teacher who coached Hawaiian swimmers all the way to the Olympics, beautifully told in simple rhyme. When the children of workers on a 1930s Maui sugar plantation were chased away from playing in the nearby irrigation ditches, local science...
I am golden
Chen, Eva
Paper Book
An Instant New York Times Bestseller! This joyful and lyrical picture book from New York Times bestselling author Eva Chen and illustrator Sophie Diao is a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for Chinese American children....
Aloha everything
George, Kaylin Melia
Paper Book
★ "A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity."-starred review, Kirkus Aloha Everything, is a magical story that will take you on a thrilling journey through the breathtaking islands of Hawaiʻi! ...
Leila in saffron
Guidroz, Rukhsanna
Paper Book
"Glorious." --Kirkus Reviews A colorful journey of self-discovery and identity, this sweet, vibrant picture book follows young Leila as she visits her grandmother's house for their weekly family dinner, and finds parts of herself and her heritage in the family, friends,...
Eyes that kiss in the corners
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and #1 Indie Bestseller · A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year · A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021 · Included in NPR's 2021 Books We Love List · Featured in Forbes, Oprah Daily, The Cut, and Book Riot · Golden Poppy Book Award Winner · Featured...
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...
Finding Papa
Krans, Angela Pham
Paper Book
Finding Papa has been named the 2024 Asian/Pacific American Award Picture Honor Book by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association! This poignant and lyrical debut picture book based on the author's own experience and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Thi Bui follows...
The truth about dragons
Leung, Julie
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor Winner Winner of the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature An unforgettable lyrical picture book that celebrates biracial identity from the award-winning author of Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong,...
A big mooncake for Little Star
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
When Little Star's mother bakes a delicious-looking mooncake, she leaves it in the night sky to cool. But it looks so tasty that Little Star can't wait, and every night she must take a little nibble of the perfectly round confection until instead of a glowing, round cookie, there is only a...
Once upon a book
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
Once upon a time, there was a girl. She went to a place alive with colors, where even the morning dew was warm. Alice loves to imagine herself in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and...
'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...
Bee-bim bop!
Park, Linda Sue.
Paper Book
A Korean American girl celebrates food and family in this cheerful book about cooking a special meal by Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park. In bouncy rhyming text, an excited and hungry child tells about helping her mother make bee-bim bop: shopping, preparing ingredients, setting the table,...
A different pond
Phi, Bao,
Paper Book
A 2018 Caldecott Honor Book that Kirkus Reviews calls "a must-read for our times," A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and...
Salma the Syrian chef
Ramadan, Ahmad Danny.
Paper Book
Newcomer Salma and friends cook up a heartwarming dish to cheer up Mama. All Salma wants is to make her mama smile again. Between English classes, job interviews, and missing Papa back in Syria, Mama always seems busy or sad. A homemade Syrian meal might cheer her up, but Salma doesn't...
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,...
Festival of colors
Sehgal, Kabir
Paper Book
Holi, Hai! Holi, Hai! It's time to prepare for the Indian springtime Festival of Colors in this delightful Classic Board Book! It's time for the Indian festival of Holi, a celebration of the start of spring, of new beginnings, and of good over evil. Friends, families, and...
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...
That's not my name!
Syed, Anoosha
Paper Book
A debut picture book about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed. Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play,...
My love for you is always
Sze, Gillian
Paper Book
Warm like tea? Sweeter than red dates? A mother shares her love for her child as the two prepare a delicious meal together--perfect for fans of Guess How Much I Love You, Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You, and Mama, Do You Love Me? What is love? a...
Wishes
Van, Muon
Paper Book
An arresting, poetic journey and a moving reflection on immigration, family, and home, from an acclaimed creative team. Wishes tells the powerful, honest story about one Vietnamese family's search for a new home on the other side of the world, and the long-lasting and powerful...
Luli and the language of tea
Wang, Andrea
Paper Book
Though they may speak different languages, kids from all over the world come together to enjoy the shared pastime of tea in this delicious book for young readers. When five-year-old Luli joins her new English as a Second Language class, the playroom is quiet. Luli can't speak...
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 A...
Kapaemahu
Wong-Kalu, Hinaleimoana
Paper Book
An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individualsof dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, based on the Academy Award-contending short film. In the 15th century, four Mahu sail from Tahiti to Hawaii and share their gifts of...
Snow angel, sand angel
Yamanaka, Lois-Ann
Paper Book
A celebration of home, family, and finding beauty in your heritage, beautifully illustrated by the artist behind Anti-Racist Baby. Claire has been surrounded by the deep blue waves of Hapuna Beach and the magnificent mountains of Hawai'i all her life, but has never,...
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. ...
From the tops of the trees
Yang, Kao Kalia
Paper Book
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in the Picture Book Category "Father, is all of the world a refugee camp?" Young Kalia has never known life beyond the fences of the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. The Thai camp holds many thousands of Hmong families who fled in the...
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...

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