Asian Pacific American Authors and Illustrators
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is in May. However, you can share diverse books with kids on any day of the year. Today is a perfect day to celebrate diverse cultures and read books by Asian Pacific American authors and illustrators. You can take action and help. You can bring books by AAPI authors and illustrators home, share their work with friends and schools, and ask your library to expand diverse book collections for children and adults.
The culture we grow up in has a big impact on us. They are the family culture and the community culture. It can be the minority culture at home and community culture outside of the home. Many live in and between cultures.
Kids are natural-born learners and they are curious.
As we guide kids to learn about kindness, mindfulness, and respect books are great tools to help children to connect with a bigger world, practices, and traditions of people from different backgrounds. Raising world citizens is to cultivate an open and connecting mind with understanding, kindness, and empathy.
These books by Asian Pacific American Authors have a lot to offer to the readers big and small. This is a list to start with and I need your help to grow this list and add more Asian Pacific American Authors and illustrators to it.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, and Other Tourist Attractions
Author: Lenore Look. Illustrator: LeUyen Pham. Ages 8 and up.
The Asian American second grader, Alvin, is heading to China for a family visit. He is very concerned with the over 15 hours flight. And, he is anxious about the cultural differences he is about to face. His journey will take readers to experience the Chinese culture at a very different level from a child’s perspective.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu
Author: Wendy Wan Long Shang. Ages 8-12
This is a heartwarming and humorous story. It is about the split cultural identities of Lucy Wu, a sixth-grader who is about to have the best year ever. Then the news comes in. Her Yi Po, Grandma’s sister is coming for a visit, and she will be staying in Lucy’s room.
SUMO JOE
Author: Mia Wenjen. Illustrator: Nat Iwata. Ages 4-7
SUMO JOE tells a spirited rhyming story of a gentle loving brother to his little sister and his favorite activity with his friends, being sumo wrestlers with his friends on Saturday mornings! You will see the boys tie on makeshift mawashi belts, practice drills like teppo, and compete in their homemade dohyo ring. They also observe sumo’s ultimate rule: no girls allowed! What will Sumo Joe do when his little sister wants to join in the fun?
Queen of Physics: How WU CHIEN SHIUNG Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom
Author:Teresa Robeson. Illustrator: Rebecca Huang. Ages 5 and up
Here is a book for children to see the possibilities of achieving their dreams, making a change in the world, and being a contributor to the community. When Wu Chien Shiung was born a hundred years ago, girls didn’t go to school. However, her parents did differently and encouraged her to pursue her love for education and science. An engaging biography follows Wu ChienShiung’s journey in the field of science.
The Nian Monster
Author: Andrea Wang. Illustrator: Alina Chau. Ages 4-8
The Nian monster has returned on Chinese New Year’s Day. The old tricks to keep him away don’t work on Nian anymore! What idea will Xingling come up with? Is it possible to keep the Nian Monster away?
Jasmine Toguchi Mochi Queen
Author: Debbi Michiko Florence Illustrator: Elizabet Vukovic. Ages 6-9
JasminToguchi is determined to join the family tradition to make mochi for the New Year. But everyone is telling her that she is not old enough. Will she be able to show everyone that she is old enough? Can she show that she can really pound mochi as a little girl? Experience mochi making with an easy-to-make recipe in the back of the book.
When the Mountain Meets The Moon
Author/Illustrator: Grace Lin. Ages 8-12
A touching adventure of Minli to improve the fortune of her family with the help of a dragon. As Minli’s father has told her the folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon. And, the one who knows the answers to all of the questions. There are stories within the story and it is beautifully intertwined.
Eyes That Kisses In The Corners
Author: Joanna Ho. Illustrator: Dung Ho. Ages 4-8
A beautiful read for kids to be proud of who they are and their heritage. The rhyming words flow with charming illustrations – family, culture, the understanding of oneself from a child’s eyes. There are many questions you can ask and inspire your child with this story.
No Kimchi For Me
Author/Illustrator: Aram Kim. Ages 3-7
This engaging story is about family, food, and celebrates Korean culture. Yoomi hates kimchi and you will learn how she is trying to overcome this. But, is it working? What did Grandma do to help Yoomi? A recipe is included for the readers to try and test it out.
American Born Chinese
Author/Illustrator: Gene Luen Yang. Ages 12-18
A graphic novel for teens and adults. It’s the winner of the Michael L. Printz Award. One story with three unrelated characters. It’s an action-packed fable for readers with Asian heritage but it will also appeal to readers of all ethnicity. A great book for book club discussion about self-acceptance, peer pressure, and racial tensions.
I Dream Of PoPo
Author: Livia Blackburne. Illustrator: Julia Kuo. Ages 4-8
A touching story tells a beautiful relationship between a grandmother in Taiwan and a grandchild who moved to the U.S. at a young age. What happens when the little girl dreams of Popo (maternal grandmother)? Will distance be a challenge? Will language be a problem?
Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire
Author: Susan Tan. Illustrator: Dana Wulfekotte. Ages 8-12
You will be charmed by Cilla Lee-Jenkins, this biracial girl. Half Chinese and half Caucasian. She is an entertaining narrator. You will see her struggles and how important they are. Kids will want to read this book on their own or being read to. A book worths reading with friends together and share.
Explore More books by Asian Pacific American authors – coming soon!
Explore More…
Children’s Books for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Every Day
Celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with Children
Be Fearless! Pass On Your Heritage Language and Culture To Your Children