Let's dive into summer reading: Picture books featuring AANHPI kids
By Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
W
hen I was a kid growing up on the south side of Chicago, summer was always my favorite time of year. Summer meant sprinting through the sprinklers, picking juicy tomatoes from our garden to eat off the vine, and endless hours for glorious reading.
As soon as school let out, my mama always took my brother and me down to the local library to sign us up for the summer reading program. Our local library had creative programs during the summer, including musical guests, crafts, and a contest for kids to encourage them to read.
I was a voracious reader and a bit of an achiever, so any invitation to read and win prizes sounded primo to me. I found myself tumbling through the iconic wardrobe, perusing the secret garden, and getting lost in the worlds of Anne Shirley and the March sisters. I read hundreds of books cover to cover—and some more than once.
The one thing my summer reading lacked was adventures about mixed-race AANHPI characters like me. That’s why I always dreamed of writing books for kids in which they could see many shades of brown faces and enter worlds that fell into worlds that felt both familiar and adventurous.
My first book, Cora Cooks Pancit, was published in 2010 and won the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association award for Picture Book of the Year. It was among the first featuring a Filipino American family. This book honored my dad’s family’s heritage and invited readers from all backgrounds to savor the joy of cooking together.
Last year, a new book baby was born into the world. Chasing God’s Glory is a story about how God’s glory can be discovered around us. The family featured in the book is intentionally Asian-and-Black-mixed race. I wanted to normalize the experience of mixed-race kids while telling a story that inspires faith in a creative God.
Kailani’s Gift launched in April of this year. It is a picture book celebration of family, Filipino heritage, and dance that is showcased to the world in April of this year. It showcases the value of patience, perseverance, and blessing others with your gifts and talents. In many ways, this book is like a younger sister to Cora Cooks Pancit.
As Kailani watches her siblings practice a traditional Filipino dance for their grandparent’s anniversary party, she longs to join them. But keeping up with the rhythm and hopping in time with the beats of the tinikling is much harder than Kailani imagined!
With Daddy’s help, Kailani practices the dance motions step by step. But will she learn the tinikling in time to surprise Lolo and Lola? This message is for kids of all ages, which means it’s for the parents, too! In the same way that I had to persevere for many years to get these books featuring AANHPI characters published, Kailani models what it looks like to persevere. And sometimes, perseverance pays off with the opportunity to bless others in the process.
As an AANHPI children’s author and mother/auntie to eager readers, it’s important to me to have books from a diversity of authors on our shelves. My three daughters and I compiled this list of 20 new and old picture books by AANHPI authors that are favorites from our collection. We hope this list introduces your family to some great summer reads!
20. HOLDING ON BY SOPHIA N. LEE
“A young girl in the Philippines uses music to connect with her grandmother as her memory fades in this warm and moving picture book, perfect for fans of Pixar’s Coco. There is always singing in Lola’s house: Sammy Davis Jr. in the morning, Dean Martin in the afternoon, and old Tagalog love songs from Nora Aunor, Basil Valdez, and more throughout the evening. Lola always says, “If you want to hold on, you gotta sing your songs.”
Her granddaughter tucks these sounds and Lola’s wisdom deep within her heart. And when Lola starts slipping into silence and stillness, she helps Lola hold on, piece by piece, with the joy and music that Lola taught her.” This book is like a warm hug for the soul.
19. GOD’S LITTLE ASTRONOMER BY TINA CHO
“In God’s Little Astronomer, author and educator Tina Cho invites young readers to blast off to see God’s creation in the heavens. From the sun, moon, stars, constellations, and comets, this out-of-this-world introduction to space will teach budding astronomers new words, facts, and concepts while also encouraging them to see God throughout the universe, and reinforcing the message that the same God loves them too.
Each page includes fact-filled sidebars plus an accompanying Bible verse, making God’s Little Astronomer the perfect combination of faith and science for budding scientists.” Tina Cho’s prose is invitational and creative, with playful illustrations to help engage readers.
18. A IS FOR ASIAN AMERICAN BY VIRGINIA LOH-HAGAN
“The fabric of America is made up of countless threads weaving together different backgrounds and cultures. Using poetry and expository text, A is for Asian American celebrates the cultures and contributions of Asian Americans throughout our country’s history.
Letter topics include traditions in food, family, and social celebrations, as well as key historical moments and milestone achievements. A is for Asian American illuminates the amazing and ongoing role the Asian American community has played in the shaping of America. Front and back matter provides additional information, including a glossary.” This is an excellent resource for the classroom or a home library!
17. RAMEN FOR EVERYONE BY PATRICIA TANUMIHARDJA
“Hiro loves ramen. Hiro’s dad makes delicious, perfect ramen for dinner every Sunday, using a recipe passed down from his dad. There’s nori seaweed, briny like the ocean; nitamago egg, the yolk golden like the sun; and chashu pork so tender, it melts in your mouth. Yum!
Hiro’s dream is to make his own perfect bowl, and he’s sure he can do it after watching his dad and taking notes. But when he gets started, things don’t go according to plan. The seaweed crumbles! The eggs slip through his fingers! The pork falls apart! Hiro is worried he’ll never be a real ramen chef; but thanks to his father’s wise advice and his own creativity, Hiro discovers that every person’s perfect bowl of ramen is unique.” Watch out, this book will make you hungry in a flash. I’m off to make some ramen!
16. FINDING PAPA BY ANGELA PHAM KRANS
“Finding Papa has been named the 2024 Asian/Pacific American Award Picture Honor Book by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association. This poignant and lyrical debut picture book, based on the author’s own experience and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Thi Bui, follows young Mai and her mother’s perilous journey from Vietnam to America to find Papa—who left ahead of them to start a better life for their family.
No one can make Mai laugh like her Papa! She loves playing their favorite game—the crocodile chomp chomp! But then Papa leaves Vietnam searching for a new home for their family in America, and Mai misses him very much. One day, Mama and Mai pack a small bag and say goodbye to the only home Mai has ever known. And so begins Mai and Mama’s long, perilous journey to find Papa by foot and boat, through dangers and darkness.” This important book gives us a window into history and one family’s perseverance through hardship.
15. A DUPATTA IS… BY DANE LIU
“A Dupatta Is…, written by Marzieh Abbas and vividly brought to life by the artwork of Anu Chouhan, is a loving and lyrical ode to the dupatta. A dupatta is fun―playing peekaboo and building cushion forts with dupatta canopies.
Dupattas―shawls traditionally worn by women in various South Asian cultures―are beautiful and colorful, of course. Still, they’re also fun and functional and carry the sounds and smells of family and identity.” I loved learning about dupattas in this creative and beautiful journey.
14. FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER BY DANE LIU
“On a snowy Lunar New Year’s Eve in Northeastern China, it’s Dandan’s last night with Yueyue. Tomorrow, she moves to America. The two best friends have a favorite wintertime tradition: crafting paper-cut snowflakes, freezing them outside, and hanging them as ornaments. As they say goodbye, Yueyue presses red paper and a spool of thread into Dandan’s hands so that she can carry on their tradition. But Dandan has no one to enjoy the gift within her new home―until a friend comes along.”
This is a picture book based on the author’s own immigration story, the infinite impact of friendship, and the passing of love and kindness around the world. I love the vantage point the author gives us about friendship in this universal story.
13. LOVE MAKES A GARDEN GROW BY TAEEUN WOO
“A young girl observes the bugs, blooms, and rich smell of the soil in her grandfather’s garden. Her grandfather hums as he waters his treasured plants. When he gives the girl a flower of her own, caring for it teaches her to feel her grandfather’s love. Even as time passes, her grandfather’s garden grows smaller, and the girl grows up; she never forgets what she learned or loses her closeness with her nurturing grandfather.
Inspired by the author-illustrator’s family, this beautiful and personal story celebrates the love that binds families and makes us who we are.” A beautiful intergenerational story that’s perfect for grandparents and kids to share!
12. MARIBEL’S YEAR BY MICHELLE STERLING
“New country, new school, new friends. A lot can happen in a single year. But one thing’s for certain: Maribel won’t forget her Papa, even when he’s 8,000 miles away in the Philippines. After all, Papa is all around. He is the memory of feeding koi fish in their pond every morning. He is the constellation map as Maribel dreams of showing him her new world. He is the one who sends the packages and letters back and forth. He is everywhere except the place he’s wanted the most. But the bond between Maribel and Papa transcends oceans. So, as the snow melts and turns to rain, as flowers blossom and welcome sun-kissed days, and as the leaves start to change and snow begins to fall once more, can Maribel wait a little bit longer?”
This sweet new book invites us to experience Maribel’s world and culture with the five senses. It’s a book about longing and remembering.
11. SARI-SARI SUMMERS BY LYNNOR BONTIGAO
“Nora loves spending summers with Lola at her sari-sari store, a treasure trove filled with everything you could need, from hair accessories to toys, creamy yema to sour tamarind candy. And this year, Nora is big enough to help her grandmother. But when a heat wave strikes and no one comes to the store, Nora worries that she won’t get to spend the rest of the summer with her Lola—until she gets a sweet idea. After all, the mangoes on the tree outside are finally ripe, and with a bit of measuring, mixing, and a good deal of tasting, Nora and Lola have a refreshing way to bring people together—and to the sari-sari store.
With soft, heartfelt illustrations, Lynnor Bontigao’s endearing picture book—featuring a recipe for making mango ice candy like Nora’s—is an ode to ingenuity and intergenerational relationships.” This one is a sweet love letter to the Philippines (and grandmothers).
10. RAPUNZEL BY CHLOE PERKINS & ILLUSTRATED BY ARCHANA SREENIVASAN
“This timeless tale is set in India and features vibrant illustrations as part of the Little Simon Fairy Tales board book series. It is the story of a girl locked away in a tower, the witch who climbs her hair, and the prince who falls in love with her. Rapunzel follows her dream of seeing the outside world and takes readers with her!”
This is one of my favorite books to give for baby showers. The delightful and colorful illustrations offer a fun take on the Rapunzel story. We also love the Snow White board book set in Japan.
9. BINDU’S BINDI’S BY SUPRIYA KELKAR
“Bindu has different bindis for every mood. And Bindu especially loves to wear matching bindis with her Nani. When Bindu signs up for the Talent Show along with Nani, she finds she doesn’t want to wear her bindi in front of her. Will she ever be brave again?”
This beautiful book focuses on the bond between granddaughter and grandmother and the joy of celebrating their culture together. Such a sweet, colorful story to read aloud!
8. NIKI NAKAYAMA: A CHEF’S TALE IN 13 BITES BY JAMIE MICHALAK & DEBBI MICHIKO FLORENCE & ILLUSTRATED BY YUKO JONES
“When Niki was a kid, she hungered to create her own life story. She loved designing her recipes. She went on to become one of the most celebrated chefs, earning two Michelin stars for her dynamic take on traditional Japanese cuisine.”
This story, told in 13 bites, is about how one little girl grew up to prove the critics wrong. This delicious story made me want to get in the kitchen and create.
7. FILIPINO CELEBRATIONS: A TREASURY OF FEASTS AND FESTIVALS BY LIANA ROMULO & ILLUSTRATED BY CORAZON DANAN-ALBANO
“In the Philippines, people love to celebrate! Holidays are filled with music and dancing, sometimes wonderful costumes, and always great food. This book gives readers a glimpse into the major holidays and family gatherings many Filipino families celebrate. From these pages, children will learn the history of each holiday, its cultural influences, and the variety of ways people celebrate across the regions.”
The colorful and playful illustrations help us delve deeper into the spirit of these celebrations! A great addition to any classroom!
6. HOT, HOT ROTI FOR DADA-JI BY F. ZIA
“When Aneel’s grandparents come from India to live with his family, he is delighted by their customs, stories, and especially their tradition of making homemade roti. Here’s another food story that combines contemporary Indian-American life, good old-fashioned storytelling, and delicious eats.”
This delicious read brings us into this culture authentically and authentically!
5. MALALA’S MAGIC PENCIL BY MALALA YOUSAFZAI
When Malala was a child in Pakistan, she wished for a magic pencil. But as she grew, her world changed, and so did her wishes. Her right to attend school was threatened—just because she was a girl. Instead of a magic pencil, Malala picked up a real one and wrote in her room about the challenges she faced. People from all over the world read her words.
This book is based on a true story about the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. It is an excellent, wonderful nonfiction biography to help kids learn more about Malala’s inspiring history!
4. ABADEHA: THE PHILIPPINE CINDERELLA BY MYRNA J. DE LA PAZ
“As Abadeha wept and prayed, she saw a beautiful woman, bathed in radiant light, who appeared to take her worries away. So go the blessings of Cinderella's fairy godmother throughout the struggles and eventual triumphs of a young girl against her oppressors.”
This book is a retelling of the Cinderella story set in the Philippines, which captures the charm of the indigenous culture of the Filipinos. I was given this book as a gift for my oldest girl’s baby shower. Now, my girl is turning 18, but we still love to read this magical Filipino tale!
3. HULA LULLABY BY ERIN EITTER KONO
“In Hawaii, the warm breeze often carries the sound of ocean waves, the rustling of leaves, and the rhythmic chants of the hula. This book takes readers on a poetic journey, introducing traditional hula dance sounds and instruments. This book features a sweet relationship between mother and child while celebrating Polynesian culture.”
This is a wonderful bedtime book to read aloud! I read it to my girls often as they were growing up. The text transports us back to the islands.
2. EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS BY JOANNA HO
“A young girl notices that her eyes look different from her friends. Her eyes kiss at the corners like her mother’s, sister’s, and grandmother’s eyes.” They help her gain confidence in her beauty and strength.
This sweet book centered on inner and outer beauty passed down through generations. I love how this book introduces a celebration conversation about our unique features.
1. CORA COOKS PANCIT BY DORINA LAZO GILMORE
“Cora loves being in the kitchen but always gets stuck doing the kids' jobs, like licking the spoon. One day, however, when her older sisters and brothers head out, Cora finally becomes Mama’s sous chef. She learns to make a traditional Filipino noodle dish called pancit and some family history.”
My book, Cora Cooks Pancit, was awarded Picture Book of the Year by the Asian American Librarians Association in 2010. I know this one will make you hungry for pancit, so it's a good thing the recipe is included in the back!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young is a writer, speaker, teacher, and former journalist. As the founder of the Widow Mama Collective grief support group on Facebook, she is passionate about helping people navigate grief and discover God’s glory on life’s unexpected trails. Her previous books include the award-winning children’s book Cora Cooks Pancit, Chasing God’s Glory, Walk Run Soar, and Create in Me a Heart of Mercy.
Dorina enjoys meeting God as she runs trails through mountains or near the ocean. She and her husband, Shawn, are raising three daughters in central California.
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