May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and to celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of children’s books that feature Asian characters that were either written by Asian authors or illustrated by Asian artists!
These eight books are fun for the whole family to enjoy together, or for young readers from preschool through middle school to read on their own.
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Check out the list below!
Drawn Together
Amazon
Written by Minh Lê, illustrated by Can Santat
Preschool – Kindergarten
Love is a universal language, but for a young boy who only speaks English, connecting with his grandfather who only speaks Vietnamese is a challenge until they discover their shared love of drawing. Get this book by first-generation Vietnamese-American author Minh Lê from Amazon for $15.99.
Apple Pie Fourth of July
Amazon
Written by Janet S. Wong, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Preschool – third grade
A young Chinese-American girl is embarrassed that her parents are selling Chinese food at their restaurant on the fourth of July and predicts that nobody will buy it. But throughout the day she learns about her family’s heritage, and as customers stop by, learns more about how different cultures are embraced in the United States. Get it from Amazon for $7.59.
Bear Came Along
Amazon
Written by Richard T. Morris, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Preschool - third grade
Adventures are more fun when you have friends along for the ride, and in this Caldecott honor book, that features art by Vietnamese-American illustrator LeUyen Pham, a group of animals learn that their differences can help each other see the world through a new light. Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
Mixed: A Colorful Story
Amazon
Written and illustrated by Arree Chung
Preschool – third grade
This story is a very approachable way to discuss tolerance and embracing differences with small children. Written and illustrated by Chinese-American author Arree Chung, this picture book gives fun and different personality traits to the primary colors – but what happens when they start to clash? Get the book from Amazon for $12.59.
What Will You Be, Sara Mee?
Amazon
Written by Kate Aver Avraham, illustrated by Sibley O’Brien
First grade – third grade
This sweet picture book introduces young children to the toljabee, a traditional Korean game that is played to celebrate first birthdays. Sara Mee is turning one, and young readers can follow along as her family and friends gather to celebrate her and find out what she’ll be when she grows up. The author, who adopted her daughter Sara Mee Jung Kim from Korea in 1984, based the book on her daughter’s tol, or first-birthday celebration. Get the book from Amazon for $7.95.
Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat
Amazon
Written by Amy Tan, illustrated by Gretchen Shields
First grade – second grade
Fans of “The Joy Luck Club” will recognize this book’s author, celebrated Chines-American writer Amy Tan! Telling the story of how Siamese cats got their dark markings on their face and tails, this book set in the late Qing Dynasty was also turned into a series which aired on PBS Kids. Get it from Amazon for $12.55.
Mommy Eats Fried Grasshoppers!
Amazon
Written by Vilayvanh Bender, illustrated by Nor Sanavongsay
Parents know that sometimes things that you loved as a kid don’t translate to younger generations, and in this book by Vilayvanh Bender, who immigrated to America at the age of seven as a Vietnam War refugee and Lao-American author Nor Sanavongsay, Mahlee learns about her mom’s childhood in Laos, and how it differs from how she’s growing up in the United States. Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Amazon
Written by Bette Bao Lord
Fourth grade – seventh grade
Shirley Temple Wong, a Chinese immigrant who lives in Brooklyn, New York in 1947, has a hard time making friends in her new home as she doesn’t speak English. But as the Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson’s star begins to rise, Shirley starts to play stickball with the other children and bonds with them over their shared loved of baseball. Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
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