AAPI Children's Books

As a new parent, one of the most important things for me was to ensure my child is exposed to stories from a vast variety of experiences in hopes that her lens of the world in rooted in the belief that different is beautiful and normal. Another important consideration is making sure she sees herself in books and she doesn't have to go through the identity struggles many Asian Americans in my generation went through. I want her to love herself as she is and as she will be.

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month - here's a list of books I recommend everyone add to your personal library collection. If you want to consistently know what new ones are getting published, I recommend you follow @asianlitforkids on Instagram. Enjoy the books written for us by us!

Watercress - Written by Andrea Wang and Pictures by Jason Chin

Driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl's parents stop suddenly when they spot watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side of the road. Grabbing an old paper bag and some rusty scissors, the whole family wades into the muck to collect as much of the muddy, snail covered watercress as they can.

At first, she's embarrassed. Why can't her family get food from the grocery store? But when her mother shares a story of her family's time in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they foraged. Together, they make a new memory of watercress.

I Am Golden - Written by Eva Chen and Illustrated by Sophie Diao

This joyful and lyrical picture book from?New York Times?bestselling author Eva Chen and illustrator Sophie Diao is a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for Chinese American children.

Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho and Illustrated by Dung Ho

See also Eyes That Kiss in the Corners.

A young boy comes to recognize his own power and ability to change the future. When a friend at school creates a hurtful drawing, the boy turns to his family for comfort. He realizes that his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars, shine like sunlit rays, and glimpse trails of light from those who came before—in fact, his eyes are like his father’s, his agong’s, and his little brother’s, and they are visionary.

Inspired by the men in his family, he recognizes his own power and strength from within. This extraordinary picture book redefines what it means to be truly you.

A Different Pond - Written by Bao Phi and Illustrated by Thi Bui

A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi deliver a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. As a young boy, Bao and his father awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam

The Name Jar - Written by Yangsook Choi

Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what happens when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious about fitting in. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she decides to choose an American name from a glass jar. But while Unhei thinks of being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, nothing feels right. With the help of a new friend, Unhei will learn that the best name is her own.?

Playing With Lanterns - Written by Wang Yage, Illustrated by Zhu Chengiang and Translated by Helen Wang

Zhao Di and her friends are excited to go out at night with their paper lanterns and celebrate Chinese New Year. Each holding a unique colorful lantern with a lit candle inside, they admire the breathtaking colors while doing their best to avoid the wind and the sneaky boys in the village. Every night, until the fifteenth day of New Year, Zhao Di and her friends take part in this fun tradition, experiencing the thrill of nighttime in their village. And then―it’s time to smash the lanterns!

Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca and Illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

Sejal, Mommy, and Pati travel together to the southern tip of India. Along the way, they share meals, visit markets, and catch up with old friends.

For Pati, the trip retraces spaces she knows well. For Mommy, it’s a return to the place she grew up. For Sejal, it’s a discovery of new sights and sounds. The family finds their way to Kanyakumari, where three oceans meet, and delight in making it to the end of the earth together.

This own voices picture book celebrates the beauty of India and the enduring love of family.

A Boy Named Isamu - Written by James Yang

In tribute to Japanese American sculptor Noguchi—or, more precisely, his distinctive vision and affinity for natural forms—Yang portrays an introspective child, Isamu, in Japan who steps away while his mother is shopping to seek out quiet places. In a sparely told slow-growth epiphany young Isamu comes to appreciate shapes of leaves and twigs in a park, how every stone large or small is unique in form and character…and at last how what he sees and touches seemed to be waiting for him, as if "forest and beach were like friends giving you a gift."?

I Dream of Popo - Written by Livia Blackburne and Illustrated by Julia Kuo

This delicate, emotionally rich picture book celebrates a special connection that crosses time zones and oceans as Popo and her granddaughter hold each other in their hearts forever.

Hair Twins - Written by Raakhee Mirchandani and Illustrated by Holly Hatam

A small girl with long black hair provides a first-person narration about her Sikh father, who has a beard and wears a turban over his own long black hair. Papa tames her hair with coconut oil, twisting it into a Rapunzel-esque braid; they both love the pink hair band she chooses. He brushes his beard, too, and whether their hair is up or down, braided or free-flowing, they share a new adventure each day. Mirchandani creates a celebration of love between a Sikh father and his daughter who connect through the strands of their silky hair.?

Dad Bakes - Written by Katie Yamasaki

Dad, tattooed and tired, works as a baker early every morning. He returns home for a nap, before spending the day with his young daughter. Together, they knead dough and spend time reading and playing while it rises.

Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham

?With sympathy and symmetry, Pham recreates the world pre-pandemic in digital illustrations that have the flow and dynamism of watercolors. She imagines a world where people from all walks of life enjoy being outside engaging in many activities until one day when it all comes to a halt—almost everyone goes inside. So begins this enlightening story of how a deadly pandemic forces everyone indoors.

Drawn Together by Minh Le and Illustrated by Dan Santat

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens—with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.