Halfway through Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we’ve read some incredible books and have more to go! These are the books on our shelves, but I would love to hear your recommendations too.
Some of the links in this post include affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase (thanks!). As always, check your local library first.
These books are generally great for 3-6 year olds, and are listed in alphabetical order except for the first one. I unapologetically put my favorite first!
Danbi Leads the School Parade (Amazon and Bookshop) is my favorite on this list! Danbi is gorgeously illustrated. Gorgeous. Did you hear me? Gorgeous. It is also a story about friendship, learning new languages, immigration, being the new kid… it’s everything. Beyond that, I ended up having a wonderful conversation with the author Anna Kim, and holy moly ya’ll. She sent our kiddo a signed piece of art, from the front pages of the book. He literally put it next to his nightlight so he could see it all night. He, and I, love Danbi and absolutely cannot wait for Danbi 2 to come out! If you get one book, pick this one.
111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl (Amazon and Bookshop) by one of our favorite authors, Rina Singh, and illustrated by Marianne Ferrer. I had no idea about this true story and loved learning along with my son about the village in India that plants 111 trees for every girl baby that’s born. The illustrations are moving and photographs at the end bring it home. Part of the Citizen Kid series that I’m now obsessed with. FYI this book is a bit long for our preschooler, we broke it up and read it several times. Loved it each time!
Dim Sum for Everyone! (Amazon and Bookshop) by Grace Lin is a simple book about a family going out to eat dim sum. Our son loves trying new restaurants but because of COVID we have yet to take him to dim sum, so this was a wonderful way to learn about one of my favorite food experiences. “Now there are empty little dishes” is the mostly simply satisfying end to a story, e specially with the kids looking like they’re about to fall asleep! We love this book.
Let’s Get Boba! (Direct and Etsy – with stickers!) by Isabella Chiu is one of my newest favorites! I won this book from Isabella Chiu and Andrea Z via Instagram and wow was I lucky. I’m a HUGE fan of boba and, again, because of the pandemic haven’t been able to introduce my son to this favorite beverage. Did I mention the stickers? I’m obsessed with them (and bought them myself). I really adore this book!
A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India (Amazon and Bookshop) by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa.
Bilal Cooks Daal (Amazon and Bookshop) by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Listen, daal is one of my favorite foods so I’m totally biased. And the kids in this book, I just want to be friends with them!
Ohana Means Family (Amazon and Bookshop) by Ilima Loomis, illustrated by Kenard Pak. A gorgeously illustrated story about a Hawaiian ohana on a farm together, with great pages in the back to help with language that was new to us.
Looking for more? See if you can check off all 100 Children’s Books to Read in 2021!