Children's Books for AAPI Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Check out some of the books below to celebrate!

Updated April 25, 2023
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Troublemaker. [online electronic book]
Cho, John, 1972-
Ebook
Nana, Nenek & Nina
Ferneyhough, Liza
Paper Book
***ALA Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature honor*** Nina loves visiting her two faraway grandmas-one in Malaysia and one in England. Spot the similarities and differences between their homes in this cozy and beautifully illustrated picture book! Nina lives in...
Ho'onani : hula warrior
Gale, Heather (Children's author)
Paper Book
Based on a true story, Ho'onani: Hula Warrior is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and an empowering story of a girl who learns to lead and learns to accept who she really is - and in doing so, gains the respect of all those around her.
Brown is beautiful
Kelkar, Supriya
Paper Book
For fans of Hair Love and Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, here is an empowering picture book about recognizing the beauty around you and within you by award-winning author Supriya Kelkar and rising star illustrator Noor Sofi. Brown is beautiful.
The legend of Auntie Po
Khor, Shing Yin
Paper Book
A NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST Part historical fiction, part fable, and 100 percent adventure. Thirteen-year-old Mei reimagines the myths of Paul Bunyan as starring a Chinese heroine while she works in a Sierra Nevada logging camp in 1885. Aware of the racial tumult...
Danbi's favorite day
Kim, Anna
Paper Book
The sequel to the Asian Pacific American Honor winner. Danbi's favorite day is here! Thrilled to invite her friends to celebrate Children's Day as she did in Korea, she promises kites, tigers, and magic train rides. But when the reality of a picnic behind her parents...
Kimchi, kimchi every day
Kim, Erica
Paper Book
Whether round and crunchy like a kimchi pancake or pinched and plump like a kimchi dumpling, there are so many ways to enjoy this Korean traditional dish. Explore the different ways to eat kimchi in this fun, rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Korean-American author...
Home is in between
Perkins, Mitali
Paper Book
In the timely yet timeless picture book Home Is in Between, critically acclaimed author Mitali Perkins and illustrator Lavanya Naidu describe the experience of navigating multiple cultures and embracing the complex but beautiful home in between. Shanti misses the warm...
You are life
Phi, Bao
Paper Book
"An affirmation for Asian American youth." --Kirkus ReviewsYou are . . . You are . . . You are . . . Every child is bursting with amazing things! This joyful picture book celebrates the wonderful and complex identities of children of immigrants and refugees. Through poetic text, acclaimed author Bao...
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...
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...
My bindi
Varadarajan, Gita
Paper Book
In this universal story about embracing who we are and where we come from, a young girl finds the magic and power of wearing a bindi for the first time, in this moving and lyrical picture book debut from Gita Varadarajan. There in the mirror, I see a shining star. My...
Stargazing. [graphic novel]
Wang, Jen, 1984-
Paper Book
Stargazing is a heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel in the spirit of Frizzy and Mexikid, from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Jen Wang. Moon is everything Christine isn't. She's confident, impulsive, artistic . . . and though they...
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. ...

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