Children's Books Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month

How to Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month?

May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month), a special time to celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The best way to celebrate? By learning together! 

We've picked some wonderful books to read for Asian Pacific Heritage Month that you and your little reader will love exploring. You can find these books at your local Osceola County Library branch.

Usha and the Big Digger by Amitha Jagannath Knight (Ages 3 - 6)

‍

This bilingual book follows Usha and Aarti as they look at the stars and describe the different things they see. Aarti sees the Big Dipper, but Usha sees the BIG DIGGER. Can they all be right? 

Your little reader will learn different ways math can be used to use math over the world around them. What new constellations will your family see next time you look at the night sky?  

Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis (Ages 3 - 6)

Join a Hawaiian family, or ohana, as they farm taro for a traditional luau celebration in this beautifully illustrated book. The poetic text pairs with dramatic illustrations to celebrate the rich Hawaiian land and culture. 

This engaging story includes a glossary of Hawaiian terms and an author's note to deepen understanding, so be sure to review these new words with your little ones before and after you read.

Mulan by Stevie Stack (Ages 3 - 7)

This bilingual book is based on the Disney™ classic, Mulan. To prevent her father from being sent to war, Mulan disguises herself as a man to join the Chinese army. Can she learn how to fight alongside her fellow recruits without anyone noticing? See the friends she makes along the way to save China and bring honor to us all.

Diwali by Hannah Eliot (Ages 1 - 4)

Discover the vibrant traditions of Diwali with this charming board book from the Celebrate the World series. Each autumn, families and friends gather to light bright lanterns and celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. 

Through beautiful illustrations by Archana Sreenivasan, little readers learn about the five days of Diwali, a time to pray for abundance, cherish sibling bonds, and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Luna’s Yum Yum Dim Sum by Natasha Yim (Ages 3 - 6)

It’s Luna’s birthday, and it’s time to celebrate! Her family takes her to dim sum, but she and her brothers don’t know how to share their pork buns fairly. How can three people divide up five pork buns? Use fractions and division to discover new ways your little reader can use math daily. 

These Asian Pacific American Heritage Month books may be some of our favorites, but there are more books you can read this month! With five library branches throughout Osceola County, the Osceola County library has more books you can check out to celebrate. Make sure to log your child’s minutes and books in Beanstack for special rewards, and if you aren’t signed up already, you can do so right on the Osceola County library’s website!