Books are a wonderful way to expand your child’s awareness and appreciation for people of all cultures. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we are sharing children’s books that specifically explore the culture and traditions of the AAPI community.

1. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho

This book tells the story of a young Asian girl who realizes that her eyes look different from her friends’ eyes. Her eyes kiss in the corners like those of her family members. She learns to appreciate her own beauty and discovers a journey of self-love and acceptance.

2. Drawn Together by Minh Lê

In this story, a boy and his grandfather struggle to communicate due to age, language and cultural barriers. When they sit down together to draw, they realized that their love of art and drawing can bridge their communication issues and bond them even more.

3. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Unhei is a young girl from Korea who is anxious about starting her new school in the United States. Instead of telling her classmates her real name, which is hard to pronounce, she tells them that she’ll pick a name from a jar. Without giving too much away, this is a story about self-acceptance and embracing other cultures.

4. I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne

This heartwarming picture book is about a little girl who misses her grandmother (Popo) when her family emigrates from Taiwan to the United States. The story provides a great framework to explore and discuss themes of identity, roots and love.