May is officially here, and with it comes a beautiful opportunity to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month-long observance is a dedicated time to recognize the incredible contributions, diverse histories, and vibrant cultures of the AAPI community that have shaped our country.
Back in 1978, Congress passed a joint resolution for special commemorative week to celebrate AAPI. In 1992, it was expanded into the full month that we celebrate today. May was specifically chosen to honor two significant milestones: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 which was made possible by the hard work of Chinese immigrants.
On a personal level, I have always been fascinated by Asian cultures. I am fully into watching Asian programming. I truly enjoy watching Korean and Chinese dramas and “dramadies” (drama/comedy) and romance series and movies. There is just a level of emotion and production quality there that is unmatched. I’m also a huge fan of Japanese horror movies. They are some of the creepiest movies I have ever seen. Korean horror movies too. My favorite horror movie is Train to Busan, which is a Korean zombie film.
And yes, I’ll happily admit that I’ve fallen down the K-Pop rabbit hole, too. The energy and talent in that music are just infectious. My favorites include Stay Kids, BTS, Seventeen, TXT and Ateez.
I have always wanted to travel to Asia for as long as I can remember. It’s part of my lengthy “Bucket List.” Decades ago (long before we had smartphones, GPS, or instant translation apps) my mom up and traveled to China all by herself. She simply had a burning desire to see the world, and she made it happen, walking the Great Wall and taking in the sites with nothing but her own determination. I wish I could do something like that.
My father was stationed in the military in Okinawa, Japan, when I was just a baby and toddler. I have always promised myself that one day I’ll go back to explore Okinawa as an adult, see the majestic Mt. Fuji, and experience the breathtaking beauty of Japan firsthand. Someday…
I love finding ways to bring these cultures into our home and the lives of the children I work with. Books are one of the most powerful ways to build empathy and understanding, especially for children.
If you are looking to diversify your home or classroom library, here are some incredible children’s books that celebrate AAPI heritage, perfect for reading this month and all year round.
Sun, Moon and Star: A Folktale from Korea
Written by Nancy So Miller (ages 4-8).
Three sisters must outsmart a hungry tiger in this fresh retelling of a beloved Korean folktale.
you’re looking for a standout addition to your library for AAPI Heritage Month, lovely book is a must-read. It’s a beautiful retelling of a classic Korean origin story that follows three brave sisters who have to outsmart a hungry tiger in order to find their place among the stars.
The illustrations are vibrant, textured, and full of life. I really love the tiger. If your child is a fan of Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters, they’ll be excited to see a look-alike Derpy in this book.
Whether you’re introducing kids to Korean folklore or just love a story about courage and celestial magic, this book is for you. It’s a perfect way to celebrate a story that has been cherished for generations.
The Moon Rabbit
Written by Eva Wong Nava and illustrated by Jason Chuang (ages 4-8)
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a luminous read-aloud about the joys of family, sharing stories, and keeping tradition alive across generations.
This stunning book could easily double as a piece of fine art. In fact, stunning doesn’t even begin to cover it. The illustrations are gorgeous. They are so beautiful that I would want to frame some of the pages and hang them on my wall because they are that beautiful. The artwork has a fantasy look that feels almost ethereal The illustrations remind me of one of my favorite books from my childhood Ma Liang and the Magic Brush. I still own the book. I believe it’s from the 1960’s or early 70’s (I’m aging myself). However, The Moon Rabbit is much more beautiful, but the story line and the illustrations.
Because of the book’s dreamy quality and interesting story, I feel like it would make a great bedtime story. The magical illustrations are great to promote a child’s imagination. It’s the kind magical imagery that could lead your child into amazing dreams once the lights go out.
This book is a soulful, quiet tribute to a classic legend that you’ll find yourself reading over and over again.
Baby Cousin’s Big Day
Written by Aram Kim (ages 4-8)
Yoomi wants her baby cousin to be happy–on her 1st birthday and for the rest of her life. Can Yoomi help?
I have seen this in some K-dramas and C-dramas. It’s the traditional first birthday tradition known in many Asian cultures as the “first birthday grab.” It’s called Doljabi in Korea or Zhuazhou in China. It’s a fun way to see what the baby’s potential future might hold.
This is a big celebration for family and friends. I think it would be a lot of fun to do whether it’s a cultural tradition or not.
During the birthday celebration, the baby is placed in front of an assortment of items that hold certain meanings. The first one or two objects the baby picks up are suppose to predict the child’s life path.
Here are some examples I was able to find on the Internet.
- A Book or Pen: Foreshadowing a life as a scholar or writer.
- Money: Symbolizing future wealth and prosperity.
- Thread: A beautiful wish for a long, healthy life.
- A Stethoscope or Gavel: A doctor or lawyer
In this book a child gets to attend their baby cousin’s birthday party where they are going to partake in this tradition.
In this book it’s baby Dasom’s birthday and Yoomi is excited to see what he’ll choose. Yoomi chose a brush. Will her baby cousin choose the same thing or something else?
The illustrations are bright and colorful. I like that some of the characters are wearing traditional clothing, as well as modern clothing.
Off Limits
Written by Helen Yoon (ages 3-7)
For every child who has ever felt that grown-ups have all the fun, here is a vicarious chance to slip behind the office door—and play with all the tempting things that are off-limits, from the genius wit of Helen Yoon.
I’m not sure of Ms. Yoon’s nationality (she was born and raised in California). I’m not 100% certain why this funny book was included with the AAPI Heritage Month Children’s Books, but I don’t mind. I have read and reviewed other books from Ms. Yoon and I really enjoy her stories and cheery illustrations.
If you have children, or have spent time around a toddler, you know that they have a hard time not touching things they are not suppose to touch. This funny book is 100% relatable to any parent.
In this story a little girl wanders into the ultimate forbidden zone, her dad’s home office. What starts as a quick peek turns into a full-blown creative explosion of “fun” things such as tape, paperclips, and sticky notes.
Ms. Yoon’s illustrations are minimalist but they are incredibly expressive. They capture the intense focus kids get when they’re doing something they know they shouldn’t.
This is a very cute book. If you have the opportunity I would recommend other titles from Ms. Yoon including Is This Spring?, Is This Easter? and Is This Winter?
Seven Babies
Written by Forest Xiao
The cuteness meter is off the charts in this sweet and funny story from exciting new picture-book talent Forest Xiao.
This super cute book follows seven adorable babies through their daily antics, capturing those tiny, hilarious moments that perfectly mirror the beautiful chaos of early childhood. I love the babies huge round heads. Their faces are minimal, with only a few dots for eyes and a nose, and a little shape for the mouth, but you can truthy sense the babies feelings as you flip through the pages and read the story.
I can’t imagine having to take care of SEVEN babies at one time. Yikes! That would be a huge challenge.
This book is great for a laugh. Even if your child can’t read yet they will love looking at the illustrations.
Incorporating these books into your home or classroom library is about more than just finding a new favorite bedtime read. It’s also about opening a window to the diverse experiences that make up the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Each of these books offers a unique perspective, from ancient folklore and magical legends to the hilarious, everyday chaos of a modern office. These book help a child build empathy and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month through books is a simple yet powerful way to honor these vibrant cultures and ensure that every child sees themselves, and their neighbors, reflected in the pages.
You can find these books at your favorite local independent bookstore, or easily pick them up online through major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do these reviews. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
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