10 Books For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Best Kids Books to Read During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Getty Images

10 Books For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month has begun and now is no better time to celebrate the community’s history and culture and to listen to empowering stories of resilience.

One of the best ways to celebrate while also learning and educating yourself is through books, which is why we came up with a list of kids books that are perfect to read with kiddos of all ages during this month!

Psst… Check out Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events 2023!

Early Readers

My First Mandarin Words With Gordon & Li Li by Michele Wong McSween

Pre K and Up

Have your kids learn  English and Mandarin at the same time with My First Mandarin Word With Gordon & Li Li book! With a mixture of greetings, everyday words, animals, and numbers, kids will love reading along and the two panda cousins try to communicate with each other. 

When asked about the importance of AAPI Heritage Month, Author and Creative Director Michele Wong McSween said:

“Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month by reading a book by an AAPI author, attending an AAPI event, or supporting an AAPI business, says, I value you and your story. I hope this month can help bring us closer to living in a community of acceptance, inclusion, and embracing each other’s diversity, one book at a time.”

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

Ages 2-7

This beautiful picture book tells the story of a young Asian girl who notices that her eyes look different from the rest of the kids in her class.

With the help of her mother, grandmother, and sister, she learns to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes. This New York Times Bestseller is the perfect book to add to your collection this month!

Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen

Ages 4-7

During the day on Saturday’s, Sumo Joe is known for being the best big brother to his little sister, but on Saturday night he and his friends put all of their energy into becoming sumo wrestlers which also means they follow sumo’s ultimate rule: no girls allowed!

When Sumo Joe’s sister wants to join in on the fun, he needs to make a decision between sumo and his sister.

The Name Jar written and illustrated by Yangsook Choi

Ages 5-9

As Unhei gets ready for her first day at a new school, she starts to get anxious about her classmates not knowing how to say her name. Instead of introducing herself, she decides to pick an American name out of a jar that she can choose to use instead.

This story is not only heartwarming, but it also promotes being proud of your background and true to yourself.

Upper-Level Readers

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Ages 12 and Up

This action-packed story follows three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang who learns he is the only Chinese-American student in his school, the Monkey King, and Chin-Kee who is the epitome of the negative Chinese stereotype.

In an unexpected twist, these three lives come together and make for an exciting story to read about.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Ages 9-11

Front Desk was the winner of the Asian / Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, making it the perfect book for your kids to read this month!

Mia Tang is carrying a lot of secrets around with her: She lives in a Motel with her parents, her parents hide immigrants, and that she wants to be a writer. Readers will stay intrigued until the end as Mia tries to tackle everything at once while also following her dreams.

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

Ages 8-12

Reha seems to be living two separate lives: one where she is the only Indian American student in her school and one where she follows her parents strict expectations when it comes to their traditions and holidays.

Everything changes when her mother, or Amma, gets very ill and now Reha will do anything to become the perfect daughter in Amma’s life in order to save her life.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller 

Ages 9-13

Another Winner Of The Asian/Pacific American Award For Children’s Literature, this book tells the story of Lilly who learns an old family secret while meeting a magical tiger at her grandmother’s house. Now Lilly must go on an adventure to right some wrong while also trying to save her grandmother.

8th Grade and Young Adult Readers

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Ages 13 and up

This beautifully written story starts with four Chinese women in 1949 who have recently immigrated to America. These women call themselves The Joy Luck Club and get together to eat dim sum, play mahjong and to talk about some of their shared losses and hope.

Now, 40 years later, these women have an American-born daughter. Author Amy Tan examines the deep, but sometimes difficult connection between a mother and daughter.

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee

Ages 13 and Up

This book has won and been nominated for a number of awards and has a powerful message that is important for kids to read about.

We Are Not Free follows a close group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, that are dealing with the mass U.S. incarcerations of World War II.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Atlantic Acting School

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Looking for a fun and exciting theater program for kids and teens? Join us at the Atlantic. Our programs are intense, exciting and fun!</span></p>

Asphalt Green

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Asphalt Green’s high-quality sports programs start at 4 months old. Two beautiful facilities in vibrant Manhattan neighborhoods provide the optimal space for children to learn the fundamentals, play for leisure, or compete at the highest level.<br />As the leading sports and fitness facility in Manhattan, Asphalt Green’s never-before- seen training methods focus on improving your mental and physical game. Whether participating in swim, soccer, flag football, martial arts, basketball, baseball, tennis, or volleyball, coaches instill values that set athletes up for success in life and bring out their full potential in sports.</span></p>

Adventuring Portal

<p><a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) games for kids.   We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&D.</p> <p>Our D&D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.  Monday – Friday.  Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).  15 total gaming hours for $180.  If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.   </p> <p>Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor’s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done & take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do.</p> <p>All our games focus on experiential learning.   Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&D adventuring!</p> <p>We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum. </p> <p>All girls’ groups available. </p> <p>I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started Adventuring Portal, an online Dungeons & Dragons business for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.</p>