16 EDUCATIONAL BOOKS FOR KIDS TO CELEBRATE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
May marks the time that we celebrate the amazing culture, contributions, and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. With vast ethnicities that cover large swaths of the world, this month is a wonderful time to introduce your child to all of the amazing cultures that make up Asian American and Pacific Islander populations.
We’ve rounded up titles that will educate, entertain, and delight your little ones. From picture books for you to read during your bedtime routine to chapter books for your older kids to explore on their own, these are the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month books that you should add to your kid’s library.
1‘Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao’ by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua
$10.25
One of Amy’s favorite things to do with her family is to make tasty bao. The traditionally Chinese steamed buns are soft, fluffy, and filled with piping-hot goodness. The only problem is, Amy’s bao never come out the way they are supposed to. In this book, the quirky Amy goes on a culinary and cultural adventure to create the perfect little bun.
2CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK‘A Different Pond’ by Bao Phi
$14.16
Bao and his dad wake up well before the sun to head down to a small Minneapolis pond to go fishing. These early-morning trips to catch the family’s meal for the day eventually become the backdrop for a wonderful story about culture, old and new.
This beautiful story about Vietnamese culture from the perspective of two generations is a heartwarming tale paired with expert illustrations that your kids will love.
3NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER‘Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom’ by Booki Vivat
$12.99
Abbie Wu is dealing with a major crisis. Despite being a new middle-schooler, basically an extraterrestrial in her family, and the only living human being on the planet without a niche, none of those are a part of her current major crisis. The thing is, crisis mode is actually just Abbie’s regular state of being.
Your middle-grade reader will love going on the topsy-turvy adventures with Abbie Wu in this multibook series as she figures out who she is.
4MICHAEL L. PRINTZ AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE‘American Born Chinese’ by Gene Luen Yang
$10.99
A creative tale about three different characters that seemingly have nothing in common, American Born Chinese weaves together these narratives in a unique and satisfying way. Jin Wang is a Chinese American student in a town where no one else looks like him.
The powerful Monkey King is the main character in a well-known Chinese fable, and Jin Wang’s cousin, Chin-Kee, is all of the negative stereotypes rolled up into a single person. What do these stories have to do with each other, and what happens when these stranger paths cross?
Your young reader will zoom through this graphic novel, consumed by every twist and turn, finally arriving at the surprise ending.
5‘The Name Jar’ by Yangsook Choi
$7.99
There is nothing more embarrassing for a new student than to have their name mispronounced by classmates and teachers alike. Instead of dealing with being called by various, incorrect names, Unhei decides to let her classmates give her a name. As the students fill the jar with different suggestions, Unhei begins to realize the power and honor in her own Korean name.
A harrowing story about culture and the amazing strength behind our given names, you’ll love reading this story as much as your kids will love hearing it.
6‘Front Desk’ by Kelly Yang
$7.99
Mia Tang and her family are new to the United States and are ready to work hard in order to build a new life. The only problem is, nothing is going as they expected it to.
After a couple of years, Mia and her family are working in less than desirable conditions at a motel for a boss that is an actual ogre. Despite the tough circumstances, Mia spends her shifts at the motel dreaming about becoming a writer while also assisting her parents as they help new immigrants acclimate to the country.
Based on the author’s own story as a young Chinese immigrant, your kiddos will feel like Mia is their real-life friend as they read through the multibook series.
7CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK‘A Big Mooncake for Little Star’ by Grace Lin
$16.65
Little Star wants to take a big bite out of the scrumptious mooncake that she has baked with her mommy in honor of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The tasty mooncake can’t be eaten just yet — but while she waits, Little Star (and your kiddo) learn about the fascinating phases of the moon.
8‘Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas’ by Natasha Yim
$16.95
In the traditional story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Goldilocks helps herself to the family’s porridge, chairs, and eventually their beds. A Chinese New Year spin on a classic tale, Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas is a quirky and charming twist.
Goldy Luck is tasked with dropping off turnip cakes to her neighbors, but when she arrives, the Chans aren’t there. That’s OK! Goldy decides to help herself to the yummy rice porridge, their chairs, and their comfy beds in the meantime. What’s the worst that can happen?
9‘Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things’ by Lenore Look and Leuyen Pham
$6.99
At home, Alvin Ho is a loud, imaginative kid that loves hanging out with his siblings and taking gentleman lessons from his dad. But at school, Alvin transforms into a shy and quiet kid that is afraid of everything from elevators to girls. In this multibook series, your little lit lover will get to know the real Alvin, the shy Alvin, and how he can eventually blend the two.
10‘No Kimchi for Me!’ by Aram Kim
$8.99
The smell of the spicy kimchi is enough to send Yoomi running. Her brothers tease her and call her a baby because she can’t handle it but Yoomi refuses to back down.
This sweet picture book is a tale about Yoomi finding a way, with her grandmother’s help, to make kimchi taste better to her picky taste buds. The best part is you can make Grandma’s famous kimchi for your family using the recipe at the end of the story.
11‘Too Many Mangos’ by Tammy Paikai
$13.95
Kama and Nani love helping their grandfather pick mangoes in their homeland of Hawaii. This time, the threesome has picked way too many and decides to go on a journey to deliver the sweet, delicious fruits to their friends and neighbors.
As they deliver the mangoes, your little sweetie will learn the different ways the people of Hawaii like to enjoy their juicy treats.
12‘Hot Hot Roti for Dada-Ji’ by F. Zia
A big part of any culture is the delicious foods that shape it. In this upbeat title, Aneel is looking forward to his beloved grandfather coming to visit. He knows that the visit means fun, laughter, and delicious, mouthwatering roti for Dada-Ji.
13‘We Are Inspiring: The Stories of 32 Inspirational Asian American Women’ by Angel Trazo
$15.00
A collection of inspirational stories about Asian American women from all walks of life, different ethnicities, and professions, your child will learn about the colorful and amazing Asian American women who have impacted our world today.
14‘Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth’ by Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes
$16.99
Ganesha is like a regular kid; he’s fun-loving and totally cute. There are only a few things that make him different from all of the other kids which is his elephant head and the fact that he rides around on a magical mouse. Oh, and Ganesha loves the traditional sweet treat laddoo!
One day, Ganesha gets into a sticky situation when he munches down too hard on a laddoo and breaks his trunk. In this dazzling book, your kids will be introduced to a modern twist on an old classic Indian tale.
15‘Epic Crush of Genie Lo’ by F.C. Yee
$18.99
For your older kids who are ready to take on an adventurous, action-packed novel, Epic Crush is the one for them. The success-driven Genie Lo is hyper-focused on achieving her goals. Everything is going her way until her low-key Bay Area suburb turns into the grounds of a Hellspawn takeover, ripped right out of Chinese folklore.
Your kids will buckle up for a wild journey full of twists and turns while they discover what Genie is willing to do to save her small town, even if that means putting her personal success on hold.
16‘Hiiaka Battles the Wind’ by Gabrielle Ahuli‘i
$10.79
A charming book with captivating illustrations, this title introduces your kids to a traditional Hawaiian tale. One day, a wild wind rips through Waipio Valley and destroys everything in its path. The mighty Hi‘iaka and her lightning pau (skirt) come to the rescue as she gears up to fight the ferocious wind head-on.
Both entertaining and imaginative, your kids will be on the edge of their seat waiting to find out who wins.
