My favorite thing about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is the diversity and beauty in all the rich heritage and culture represented. This month honors Americans with heritage from Asia and Pacific Islands so it covers countries such as China, Taiwan, Korea, India, Japan, Iran and Pacific island such as Indonesia, Guam and Hawaii. Below is a list of beautiful picture books that honor these cultures as well as the Americans who proudly claim that heritage. Each one is beautiful and makes a great book to read this month or any month of the year.
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Thank You, Miyuki & Patience, Miyuki by by Roxane Marie Galliez and Seng Soun Ratanavanh – We love Miyuiki! Each of the books in this series features Miyuki and her grandfather as they learn a lesson together on topics such as gratitude, mindfulness, patience and more.
When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling and Aaron Asis- In this sweet story a little girl is excited for summer when her Lola (grandmother) gets to visit from the Philippines. It has a beautiful focus on family and love as it depicts what their summer consists of from food shared to memories made.
Wishes by Muon Thi Van and Victo Ngai- This gorgeous book is told with few words that speak volumes about the hope that refugees and immigrants (this one features a Vietnamese family) carry when they travel to make somewhere new their home. It is stunning and impactful.
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and Kerascoët – This is a nonfiction picture book autobiography by Malala about her efforts for human rights. It’s powerful.
Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee and Joey Chou- This is a fanciful and playful book that we adore that features the Chinese New Year. It is lots of fun and full of joy and color.
Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang and Jordi Solano- This is a nonfiction story based on the career of Eugenie Clark who was a scientist nicknamed “shark lady” who helped change society’s, and even science’s perspective of sharks to one that is more understanding and appreciative of their beauty and cleverness.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua- In this story a young girl named Amy Wu is making bao with her family. At first she is frustrated because she is seeking after perfection, but in the end learns to accept her own way of doing things and the beauty in the results.
My Tree by Hope Lim and Il Sung Na- In this story a young boy who has recently moved from Korea helps make the transition to his new home by befriending a plum tree in his backyard that reminds him of home. A beautiful story of change and transition.
Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar and Khoa Le- This book has two stories. One is of a young immigrant who is trying to adjust to her new home in America and the other is a Persian tale that she is told by her aunt that teaches how immigrants are a blessing and can be like “sugar in milk”.
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki and Qin Leng- It is about a little girl named Hana who heard the violin for the first time when her grandfather played it for her on a visit to him in Japan. It tells of her growth mindset as she tries to learn to play it in honor of him.
Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes by Hena Khan and Mehrdokht Amini- This book is a Muslim themed book that is a primer for shapes. It teaches a bit of Muslim culture alongside the shapes and is beautifully done.
The Fabled Life of Aesop: The extraordinary journey and collected tales of the world’s greatest storyteller by Ian Lendler and Pamela Zagarenski – This book tells the fable about the life of the man called Aesop as well as sharing some of his stories. It is incredibly well done.
Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis and Kenard Pak- This book is a beautiful tribute to Hawaii and those who call it home. In the story they are preparing for a luau. It is a wonderful celebration of family and culture.
Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Ebony Glenn- I love this book. It tells of the sweet association a young girl has between her mother and khimars and how they make her feel.
Festival of Colors by Surishtha Sehgal , Kabir Sehgal and Vashti Harrison- This book is vibrant celebration of colors and Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors. The whole book if filled with smooch joy and is positively wonderful.
Grandmother Thorn by Katey Howes and Rebecca Hahn- This Japanese tale tells the story of Grandmother Thorn and how she fights for control in her garden with a plant that refuses to leave. In the end she learns that things that you can’t control and the unexpected can bring sweetness to life.
A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa by Andrea D’Aquino- This is a picture book biography about Japenese-American artist Ruth Asawa. It highlights her life as well as her work and is so well done.
The Good Song: A Story Inspired by “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World” by Penelope Dullaghan and Alexandria Giardino- This story is inspired by Hawain singer Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole and his songs. It features Hawaii as well as themes of gratitude and joy for Her beauty.
Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua- In this sequel story with Amy Wu she
Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim – Danbi is from Korea and is having a hard time making friends in her new school until they find that friendship knows no language barriers. Little Danbi is so expressive in this book and the message is so beautiful.
Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin- In this impactful story a young girl is embarrassed at first to be picking watercress with her family by the side of the road. Then, at home she learns its importance to her immigrant parents and her heritage and gains a whole new appreciation for something she didn’t understand before.
Malala Yousafzai (Little People, BIG DREAMS, 57) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Manal Mirza- This picture book biography features the work of Malala Yousafzai and is part of a large series of picture book biographies for young children.
Sakura’s Cherry Blossoms by Robert Paul Weston and Misa Saburi- In this story a young girl’s world is turned upside down when her family moves to America away from her grandmother and then when they return to Asia to say goodbye again when her grandmother passes away. It is sweet and has strong themes of family, transition and friendship.
Like the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khan and Saffa Khan- This book is an expression of love between mother and child and is inspired by prose in the Quran. It is sweet and tender.
Let’s Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone by Aurora Cacciapuoti – This is a beautifully designed little primer for Japanese that would be a great introduction to the language and it’s characters.
I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne and Julia Kuo – In this story a young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan. The girl misses her Popo (grandmother) dearly, but still stays connected through their love, brief visits, and the memories they share.
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