Asian Pacific American Authors and Illustrators

Multicultural books open up the world for children. Diverse books open doors to invite readers to experience, discover, and dive in cultures through words and pictures. It is learning through stories, folktales, and history. It helps children to connect with diversity, cultures, and peers who are from various backgrounds. In part 2 of the Asian Pacific American Authors and Illustrators series, I expand the books to reach the Middle East, the Muslim culture.

Muslim is one of the seven major races in Chinese culture. On the surface level, Chinese people in Taiwan can easily spot a Muslim Beef Noodle shop on the street. At the same time, on a deeper level, Chinese people have Muslim family friends or peers who carefully follow and practice Muslim traditions and religion in their daily life. Then, on a personal level, my experience living in a Muslim country in Northern Africa and taught in the school there has connected me with the people, the culture, and the richness of diversity within. I hope this booklist can inspire you and your child to explore East Asia and the West Asia region further.

There are different ways to connect with diverse cultures. You can start with the community you live in. Your neighborhood library is a place with resources that you can explore. You can also request the libraries to purchase and curate diverse books from authors from different cultural backgrounds. The librarians will be delighted to have your recommended multicultural children’s booklist. Share this post with them, tag them on the post via social media. You can volunteer to read a diverse book in your child’s class. And, the positive feedback you will receive might surprise you.

We need to bring more diverse books to our children to prepare them with world knowledge, empathy, and connecting skills for now and the future.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

– Maya Angelou

Happy Reading!

Disclosure: Affiliate links. If you click on the book cover pictures and make a qualified purchase, Miss Panda Chinese will receive a small commission that will be used towards maintaining the site.

A Gift for Amma

Author: Meera Sriram. Illustrator: Mariona Cabassa. Ages 4 to 8.

A Gift for Amma is a charming story for kids to explore a southern Indian street market from fragrant spices, blooming flowers, to precious peacock feathers. A trip to find a gift of Amma becomes a thoughtful adventure for the young girl. The vibrant spice, the blooming jasmine, and the vibrant color words with the illustration all make this a perfect picture book to experience a part of India from one page to the next.

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

Author:Ibtihaj Muhammad. Art: Hatem Aly. Ages: All.

The Proudest Blue is written by Ibtihaj Muhammad, the Olympic medalist in fencing. Ibtihaj is the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in the Olympics. This is a powerful, uplifting, and sibling-loving story. An outstanding read with great discussion topics for various age groups.

Drawn Together

Author: Ming Lê. Art: Dan Santat. Ages: 3-5.

A story that is close to the heart of the author and a story that will touch the heart of many. What happens when a child visits the Grandpa and cannot speak the language that Grandfather is speaking. The adventure starts here with gorgeous illustrations to reveal the thoughts, the connection, and the story between a grandchild and grandfather. This is a touching, adventurous, and outreaching story. For families that are passing a heritage language to the children this is a great read. For helping children to understand and support the need of peers who are learning a heritage language this is a great book to start with.

Nya’s Long Walk A Step At A Time

Author: Linda Sue Park. Illustrator: Brian Pinkney. Ages 4 to 7.

This is a book that will help kids to see the life of children in a different part of the world, a simple thing they that they might take for granted, and determination. Story-telling in the perspective of a child to express love, perseverance, and the path to access clean water. A good story to connect children with the world.

Mela and the Elephant

Author: Dow Phumiruk. Illustrator: Ziyue Chen. Ages 5 to 8.

Mela and the Elephant is a beautiful story that teaches kids about kindness. And, it shares an important message that kindness doesn’t need a reward in return. The readers will experience a calm and beautiful day that turns into an adventure and an unforgettable journey. As Mela took the boat and left her young brother behind, she started exploring the jungle. This heartwarming story shares an authentic Thai tradition.

Mixed A Colorful Story

Author and Illustrator: Arree Chung. Ages 2 to 5.

A Coloring Story is an adorable, engaging, simple but powerful, thoughtful diverse children’s book. The readers will explore colors, understand identity, and see possibilities from different perspectives. There are many great discussion points to use in this book with kids of all ages. A fabulous read with kids preschool and up.

A Different Pond

Author: Bao Phi. Illustrator: Thi Bui. Ages 3 to 8.

A Caldecott Honor Book. It is a story about the relationship between father and son, and between cultures. It tells a simple fishing trip. Alone on the pond with Dad, the boy discovered a story of a different pond in Vietnam. Before the war. A book told from the boy’s perspective. Readers will follow him and peek inside the memory and family history.

Under My Hijab

Author: Hena Khan. Illustrator: Aaliya Jaleel. Ages 4 to 7.

Books open up the world for children and Under My Hijab is a great one for family readers. It tells a story of a Muslim American girl and it leads your child to get to know the significance of the hijab. Look closely at each of the pictures. What is the difference between the outside and inside. There are cultural clues in the words and in the art. The possibilities have no boundaries. A fantastic read for children ages 4 to 7+.

Love, Love

Author: Victoria Chang. Ages 8 to 12.

Love, Love is a novel in verse for older kids who are grade 6 and up. It tells the story of two Chinese American girls. They are sisters. Frances is 10 and Clara is 11. It is a poetic read. The story of facing teasing, bullying, the sister’s illness, and identity. The topic is relevant for in-depth discussions with children.

Riding A Donkey Backwards

Author: Sean Taylor. Illustrator: Shirin Adl. Ages 4 to 8.

Get ready for Mulla Nasruddin, a wise Turkish Muslim trickster, and a beloved figure. This book is filled with wisdom, humor, and riddles. A fun diverse book to share with children to learn, explore, and laugh together.

Measuring Up

Author: Lily LaMotte. Illustrator: Ann Xu. Ages 8 to 12.

Measuring Up is a middle-grade graphic novel by the debut author, Lily LaMotte. It tells the story of Cici, a young immigrant from Taiwan. From Taiwan to Seattle, from the homemade delicious Taiwanese food to the not-so-delicious comment about her homemade home to the cooking competition… This is a delicious, heartwarming, and engaging story of one young lady’s journey to find her peace, place, and identity in her new environment.

Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist

Author: Julie Leung. Illustrator: Chris Sasaki. Ages 4 to 8.

Paper Son is an inspiring story of the Chinese-born American artist who was responsible for bringing Disney’s Bambi to life. He came to the State in 1919. It is over 100 years ago. Tyrus used diverse media to create his art. Readers will follow Tyrus journey from the moment he landed in San Francisco to his artistic journey and achievements. This is a book of biography and American history for children ages four and up.

Asian Pacific American Authors and Illustrators – Read Now and Beyond Asian Pacific American Heritage Month