This diverse book list celebrates picture books written by Asian and Asian-American authors. May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month but you can (and should!) read these books all year round!
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For books with Asian and Asian-American protagonists for older readers see our list of Asian American History Month books for middle grade readers.
The authors on this list primarily represent East Asian and Pacific-Islander heritage. You can find South Asian books here: South Asian and Indian Characters in Children's Books.
Table of contents
Fiction Picture Books
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua
This darling story about a girl hoping to figure out how to make the perfect bao is a testament to creative problem solving! Amy's parents and grandma all seem to be adept at making the delicious treats but Amy struggles and is determined not to give up. I love that Zhang included Amy's dad as part of the bao-making, intergenerational kitchen brigade. So often "cooking with family" books only include the women. Ages 4 and up.
'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak
Loomis's cumulative rhyme wraps you in a warm embrace as she and illustrator, Pak, lovingly guide you through the experience of a multi-generational family preparing poi for a family gathering. The book celebrates Hawaiian traditions that bond family together, including the food and the land. The rhythm of the words is just divine. An endnote gives further information and a glossary.
MORE: Books about all kinds of families
A Map Into the World by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Seo Kim
This lovely, tender story about a Hmong-American girl is a delight. Paj Ntaub moves into a new house, hangs a traditional Hmong story cloth with her grandparent, meets the neighbors and watches the seasons change. Along the way, twin brothers are born, and one of her elderly neighbors passes away. Paj, using her thoughtful observation skills, creates a "map into the world" to comfort him. Ages 5 and up.
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Doug Ho
It would be enough to pick up this title just for Doug Ho's splendid illustrations, but pair them with Joanna Ho's heartwarming story about a girl recognizing the beauty of her eyes and their connection to her heritage, and you have a real winner of a book. A young girl beautifully describes her eyes, those of her mother and grandmother, and relates how they convey emotions and thoughts. Ho's illustrations connect the present with Chinese culture. A rich and splendid book. Ages 4 and up.
MORE: Picture books that teach inclusion
Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin
When a Chinese-American family pulls over to the side of the road to gather watercress, a young girl is embarrassed and wishes her family could be more "normal." However, as the family gathers the watercress and sits down to dinner the stories come out, the girl learns of the connection with memory, her Chinese heritage and her family's experience with famine. There is a lovely weight to Wang's prose (or free verse) that captures the deep emotional resonance of the experiences. One of my favorite lines is "My mom's eyes are as sharp as a dragon's claw." An author's end note explains the autobiographical nature of the story. Ages 5 and up.
Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner
What better adventure is there than getting lost in a book? On a winter day, in an attempt to shake off cabin fever, Alice (one cannot help but wonder if she was named after a certain Wonderland lass) opens a book. Immediately, she and is sucked inside on an adventure. With each turning of the page, the adventure continues until she returns to her family. Readers will love examining the illustrations to see how the pages of Alice's book form the backdrops of her adventure. Simply delightful.
MORE: Metafiction in Children's Literature
Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Genevieve Simms
Mayumi learns how to care for and appreciate a garden from her grandfather. Mayumi's grandfather lives in Japan and his garden is not filled with flowers, but with stones. When grandfather becomes too elderly to continue to live alone he must leave his house and garden and Mayumi channels her sadness over the loss by creating a small, mobile stone garden that her grandfather can always have with him. Ages 5 and up.
MORE: Books that instill a love of nature
Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Nat Iwata
A fun, positive story about a boy who must learn how to balance his love of sumo wrestling with being a good big brother. I love how Japanese terms are seamlessly woven into the story. A great way to introduce kids to the sport, but still a lovely story about a sibling relationship.
Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Sousa
This fascinating tale is a must read. Four healing stones, called Kapaemahu, sit on Waikiki Beach. An Indigenous Hawaiian legend tells of four individuals who traveled to Hawai'i from Tahiti. These individuals were spirits, or mahu, each with a different gift of healing. The islanders brought the stones on the beach, and the mahu transferred their healing powers to the stones. Bilingual text in Olelo Niihau and English. Ages 5 and up.
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
Find it: Amazon
Tan's spare text and highly imaginative paintings address the darker side of loneliness. A lonely girl wakes up, feeling the sometimes surreal sensation of being alone, waiting for something to happen, wandering in a confusing and vast world. When she returns to her room, she finds a red leaf springing up from the middle of the floor and as it turns into a tall red tree, it lifts the girl's spirits. Sure to spark some interesting conversations! Ages 5 and up.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Unhei has just moved to America from Korea. She loves her name but when the other kids can’t pronounce it, she worries about fitting in. She decides she should choose a new American name. Her classmates fill up a jar with potential new names but with the support of others, Unhei decides she wants to keep her Korean name. This anti-bias book is so important, especially in classrooms in which children may have names that are difficult for native-English speakers to say. Names are a big part of a person’s identity and we serve children well by valuing them. Ages 4 and up.
A Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu, illustrated by Christina Forshay
Mindfulness doesn't have to take place in solitude! I adore this book about how a girl connects with her grandfather over the practice of Tai Chi. Mei Mei joins her grandpa in the morning for his daily ritual but while he is smooth and graceful, Mei Mei puts her own spin on things, reminding us that mindfulness need not always be practiced in the stillness. A wonderful story. Ages 4 and up.
MORE: Wonderful picture books about grandparents
Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
This is an absolutely gorgeous book with a lovely intergenerational message. A boy and his grandfather are visiting each other, but they have trouble communicating through a language barrier. The key, however, is art. By drawing together, they learn to understand each other. Ages 4 and up.
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Qin Leng
Even though she is just a beginner, Hana signs up to play the violin in her school talent show, but her brothers tell her she isn't good enough. Hana won't let that discourage her, and inspired by her grandfather, she sets out to practice, practice, practice. As with most things in life, it is not all smooth sailing when she begins to doubt herself, but that's where the growth mindset comes in. Hana does not give up and her performance surprises even her! Ages 4 and up.
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade
I love this book and have recommended it so many times over the years. After a mom puts her baby to sleep in a hammock she has to hush the sounds around her. Author Minfong Ho writes each animal's onomatopoetic sound and I like that they are unusual to English speakers. For example, the lizard says "tuk-ghaa", the pig says, "uut-uut." The gentle, rhythmic text creates such a lovely lullaby. All ages.
MORE: The best bedtime picture books
When Spring Comes to the DMZ by Uk-Bae Lee
This gorgeously illustrated picture book introduces readers to a unique landscape with which most western children are not familiar. Uk-Bae Lee takes readers on a journey through the seasons in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, describing the abundance of flora and fauna that inhabit the landscape. Each season a grandfather climbs to a lookout point to observe the natural phenomena. At the end of the book the final pages show a gate and the pages fold out to display a wonderful landscape waiting to be explored. At several points in the story, the author reminds us that the DMZ is also a place where soldiers train and takes note of the barbed wire surrounding the area. A really wonderful book that will inspire a lot of conversations with your kids! Ages 4 and up.
The Green Frogs: A Korean Tale by Yumi Heo
Find it: Amazon
This Korean folk tale explains why frogs croak loudly near water. Two young frogs never listen to their mother! They love to do exactly the opposite of what she says. When their mother dies, they bury her by the stream and croak loudly so she is not washed away and forgotten. Ages 3 and up.
MORE: Korean folktales
The Firekeeper's Son by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by
In 19th century Korea, Sang-hee is the son of the village firekeeper. The firekeeper is an important position because if the fire goes out, the king will assume there is trouble. One night Sang-hee's father falls ill and the task falls to him; he struggles with his desire to see the soldiers and the responsibility of making sure the signal fire is lit. Ages 5 and up.
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
Sam is excited to be able to spend his lucky New Year money. He has four dollars and his mom has told him he can buy anything he wants. On their trip through the neighborhood Sam notices a homeless man with bare feet. As he contemplates how to spend his money he feels frustrated that the four dollars is never enough to buy what he wants. His mother reminds him to appreciate what he has. During a second encounter with the homeless man, Sam understands how he can best spend his money. Ages 4 and up.
MORE: Books about Lunar New Year
Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan, illustrated by Lillian Hsu
Marisa Yang lives in a multicultural household in Hawai'i. Marisa is going to help make the dumplings for the New Year celebration but she worries that hers won't be as perfect as everyone else's. I love this joyful book and its portrayal of a large, loving family and the fun they have getting ready for the festivities. Ages 4 and up.
Nonfiction
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
All of Chin's books are spectacular and this book which investigates the geology of the Grand Canyon is no exception. The story follows a child and an adult on a walk through the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, detailing how the layers were formed, the plants and wildlife that live in the basin. There is so much information here that you and your children will want to read it over and over and then will immediately start planning your next vacation! Be sure to look for Jason Chin's other books on the nonfiction shelf! Ages 3 and up.
Biographies & History
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo, illustrated by Lin Wang
Anna May Wong grew up helping her parents in their laundry business but dreamed of becoming a film actress. When she started getting film work she was frustrated that the only roles she could get were Chinese stereotypes, so she moved to Europe. Upon her return to the States, nothing had changed and she set to work to combat those stereotypes in film. What a fascinating and important story. Ages 6 and up.
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee
During World War II, the United States government imprisoned people of Japanese descent in internment camps. Shorty and his father build a baseball diamond in the dusty field of the camp. Shorty uses the game to build his self-confidence and channel his anger at the guards. Be sure to discuss this book critically with kids: Did baseball actually save the boys? Was using their anger a productive way to approach their situation? Should assimilation actually be the real goal? Ages 6 and up.
Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee
This is an amazing, true story. The narrator is a boy whose father is the Japanese ambassador in Lithuania during World War II. One day, hundreds of Jewish refugees start showing up at the embassy asking for visas to Japan so they can escape the Nazis. They hope to get to Japan so they could move on to another country safely. Three times, the boy's father asks permission from Japan to issue the visas, and three times the answer is, "No." However, the father decides to do the right thing. I particularly like how the boy's father includes him in the events, "My father always took the time to explain everything to me." Don't miss the afterward, describing what happened in later years. Ages 7 and up.
MORE: Picture books about refugees
Dia's Story Cloth: The Hmong People's Journey of Freedom by Dia Cha, illustrated by Nhia Thao Cha
A traditional Hmong story cloth tells the author's story her family's experience with the war in Laos during the mid 20th century. Her father was killed in the war and she and her mother travelled to a refugee camp in Thailand, where they lived for four years before emigrating to the United States. The quilt depicted in the book is gorgeous and parents and educators can connect it to the tradition of telling family history through quilting in America. Ages 8 and up.
Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung, illustrated by Chris Sasaki
This is the moving and fascinating story of Wong Geng Yeo, later known as Tyrus Wong (a name given to him by his school teachers), who grew up to be an animator on Disney's Bambi. Leung begins the story with Wong's immigration and his interrogation by officials at Angel Island. Leung and Sasaki paint a loving portrait of a son, boy and man who learned positive values from his father and works hard while practicing his art. Ages 6 and up.
Joelle says
For many years, I've been finding and buying books with Asian characters in the story so my kids can read about characters who look like them. Here are some you you didn't list:
A Different Pond by Bao Phi
I Dream of PoPo by Livia Blackburne
Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee
The Paper Boat by Thao Lam
My Day With Gong Gong by Sennah Yee
Dumpling Dreams: How Joyce Chen Brought the Dumpling from Beijing to Cambridge by Carrie Clickard
Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee by Julie Leung
The Year of the Ox: Tales of the Chinese Zodiac by Oliver Chin (books on the other zodiacs)
Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
Bee-Bim Bop by Linda Sue Park
Asian Americans Who Inspire Us by Analisa Quiroz Wolf
Hot Pot Night by Vincent Chen
Erica says
I love all of these, too! I ended up limiting the list before I got carried away, so I'm glad you dropped your recommendations in here, too!