In honor of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, advocates are encouraging schools and libraries across the country to add books by and about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to their collections.

 

 

The Very Asian Foundation and We Need Diverse Books launched the May Book Project in 2022. They offer free lists of recommended books for all age groups. Here are five picks from the picture book list to add to your child care library!

 
 

Drawn Together

by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat.

This beautifully detailed book was inspired by the author’s relationship with his Vietnamese grandfather and the illustrator’s relationship with his Thai grandmother. Watch Lê share his story, read the book, and reveal a hidden surprise in this video!

Bee-Bim Bop!

By Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee

This bouncy, rhyming book will have little ones boogying along with a little girl who is eagerly waiting for her mother to make a delicious Korean dinner.

Baseball Saved Us 

by Ken Mochizuki, illustrated by Dom Lee

Introduce elementary-aged kids to a critical — and often hidden — moment in American history with this story of a young Japanese American boy whose father helps build a baseball field while the family is incarcerated at an internment camp during World War II.

 

 

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

by Grace Lin

Little Star lives in the sky with her mama. After they make a big mooncake, Little Star is supposed to wait to eat it — but she wakes up at night to take a big bite! Find out what happens next in this Caldecott Honor book.

 

 

Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala

by Meenal Patel

A grandmother shares vivid memories of India with her granddaughter in this story that celebrates building connections across generations and cultures.