Children's Books for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

 

This month we’re highlighting children’s books celebrating figures of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander heritage. From the inspiring tale of a Disney illustrator to the fearless research of a shark expert, we hope these stories will inspire young historians to make a positive impact on history themselves.

Artists, Architects, and Musicians:

• Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated Dow Phumiruk 
  

• I am I.M. Pei by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

•  Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong by Julie Leung and illustrated by Chris Sasaki
  

• Drawing from Memory by Allen Say
  

• It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morstad

•  Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Teresa Martinez
  
  

Illustration of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, designed by architect Maya Lin.
Image credit: Library of Congress, LC-DIG-ds-09691

Scientists

• Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns

• Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson and illustrated by Rebecca Huang

• An Astronaut’s Legacy: The Story of Ellison S. Onizuka by Lisa Nikaido Arakaki and illustrated by Mitchell Fong

  
  

  
  Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka. Image credit: NASA
  
  

World War II and War Heroes

 

• Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee by Marissa Moss and illustrated by Carl Angel 

• Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi and illustrated by Yutaka Houlette

• The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee by Julie Leung and illustrated by Julie Kwon
  
  
  
  

  WASP pilot Hazel Ying Lee in 1932. Image credit: U.S. Air Force
  
  

Athletes and Martial Artists

• Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku by Ellie Crowe and illustrated by Richard Waldrep 

• Little People, Big Dreams: Bruce Lee by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrated by Miguel Bustos
  

• Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen 

• Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo and illustrated by Dom Lee

  
  

  
  Olympic diver Sammy Lee in 1952.
  Image credit: Wikimedia
  
  
  

 

Politicians and Changemakers

 

• Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong by Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and illustrated by Gayle Romasanta

• Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Laura Freeman

• A Life of Service: The Story of the Senator Tammy Duckworth by Christina Soontornvat and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk

• We Are Here: 30 Inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Have Shaped the United States by Naomi Hirahara with the Smithsonian Institution and illustrated by Illianette Ferandez

 

And if you’re looking for more resources to go with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, check out our kids magazine. Create a bundle with Issue 2 | A Pirate’s Tale, Issue 10 | A Portrait of India, and Issue 16 | The Way of the Samurai to explore the history of China, India, and Japan.