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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My best friend
Fogliano, Julie
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
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
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
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...
A big mooncake for Little Star
Lin, Grace
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...
The adventures of Beekle : the unimaginary friend
Santat, Dan
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...
Little owl's love
Srinivasan, Divya
The star of Little Owl's Night returns to find love in his beloved nighttime forest. "What do I love?" Little Owl thought. There were so many things. . . Gliding along on a quiet night, Little Owl looks for the things that make him happy-...
Wishes
Van, Muon
  A lyrical picture book and a moving reflection on immigration, family and home. Wishestells 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 impact that makes on the...
Watercress
Wang, Andrea
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...
Dad bakes
Yamasaki, Katie
Dad wakes early every morning before the sun, heading off to work at the bakery. He kneads, rolls, and bakes, and as the sun rises and the world starts its day, Dad heads home to his young daughter. Together they play, read, garden, and--most importantly--they bake. This lovely, resonant...
Penguin in love
Yoon, Salina
Geisel Honor-winning author/illustrator Salina Yoon's beloved character Penguin searches for his match in Penguin in Love--a charming picture book that's perfect for Valentine's Day. When Penguin finds a lost mitten on the ice one day, he wonders who it belongs to-...
The cat from Hunger Mountain
Young, Ed
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...
A boy named Isamu : a story of Isamu Noguchi
Yang, James 1960-
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.
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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