Asian representation books

Ages 3–8

Maxine Trottier

"This is the story of young boy who manages to overcome financial hardships with the power of his imagination. Eddie Wing dreams of flying beautiful silk kites like all the other kids, but his family is so poor that he can't even afford to buy a kite made of paper. This year, Old Chan has said that the person who builds the smallest kite will win the kite-flying competition. A girl wins the prize, but the old man has noticed Eddie flying his imaginary kite. Impressed by the young boy's imagination, Chan gives him the materials to build his own kite. Eddie's spirit inspires Chan to write a beautiful poem about a boy who flies a kite of dreams"

Ages 3–8

Fran Manushkin

Jake's new toy plane is missing. No one knows where it is, except Katie Woo. But Katie wants to keep the plane. What should she do?

Ages 3–8

Nancy Tupper Ling

With grace and warmth, this lyrical picture book speaks to the difficulty of transition, and celebrates the ways in which love and family give us the strength to weather life's changes.

Ages 3–8

Patricia McMahon

Just add one Chinese sister by Patricia McMahon — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Fran Manushkin

No more teasing by Fran Manushkin — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Katrina Saltonstall Currier

In 1934, twelve-year-old Kai leaves China to join his father in America, but first he must take a long sea voyage, then endure weeks of crowded conditions and harsh examinations on Angel Island, fearing that he or his new friend will be ...

Ages 3–8

Wong Herbert Yee

All the family members think baby is crying, and they try to cheer him up before discovering that his face is wet from raindrops, not tears.

Ages 3–8

Kat Yeh

Combining a heartwarming family story, a magical adventure, and a multilingual primer on Chinese language, The Magic Brush tells the story of Jasmine, a young girl who learns Chinese calligraphy from her Agong, or grandfather.

Ages 3–8

Mary Beth Chapman

This endearing story, from Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, is a wonderful reminder of the miraculous love that makes every Christmas a special one.

Ages 3–8

Paul Yee

In the Chinese opera, men traditionally sing both male and female parts. Wei Lim's father, Ba, however, usually plays masculine characters and sings in a deep bass voice. But Wei's grandfather played female roles, and has secretly taught Wei to sing these difficult parts. When the New World's entertainments begin to cause a shrinking audience for the opera company, and Ba is forced to play female characters, which can help him learn to sing in such high tones? Color illustrations help bring Wei's tale, and this ancient art form, to life.

Ages 3–8

Roseanne Thong

Tummy Girl by Roseanne Thong — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 3–8

Rosemary Wells

Mmm, Yoko's mom has packed her favorite for lunch today'sushi! But her classmates don't think it looks quite so yummy. "Ick!" says one of the Franks. "It's seaweed!" They're not even impressed by her red bean ice cream dessert. Of course, Mrs. Jenkins has a plan that might solve Yoko's problem. But will it work with the other children in class? Now in paperback for the first time, this tender story from Rosemary Wells demonstrates the author's uncanny understanding of the pleasures and pains of an ordinary school day. Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 5/12/2009 Pages: 32 Reading Level: Age 3 and Up

Ages 3–8

Allen Say

In this Caldecott Medal–winning picture book, master storyteller Allen Say chronicles his family’s history between Japan and California.

Ages 3–8

Linda Walvoord Girard

Nine-year-old Benjamin Koo Andrews, adopted from Korea as an infant, describes what it's like to grow up adopted from another country.

Ages 3–8

Nina Pellegrini

Families are different by Nina Pellegrini — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.

Ages 0–3

Sam McBratney

Welcome the family classic with an elegant, refreshed cover — the quintessential picture book, just waiting to be shared. Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure! For two decades, Sam McBratney’s timelessly endearing story, beautifully rendered in Anita Jeram’s exquisite watercolors, has captured the deep and tender bond between parent and child. Guess How Much I Love You is one of the world’s best-loved picture books.

Ages 8–12

Kelly Yang

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year.

Ages 8–12

Erin Entrada Kelly

Four kids' fates collide in this Newbery Medal novel about bravery, bullying, and found family.

Ages 8–12

Thanhhà Lai

Inside Out & Back Again is a verse novel by Thanhha Lai. The book was awarded the 2011 National Book Award for Young People's Literature and one of the two Newbery Honors. The novel was based on her first year in the United States, as a ten-year-old girl who spoke no English in 1975.

Ages 8–12

Gene Luen Yang

American Born Chinese is a 2006 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature, the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New, an Eisner Award nominee for Best Coloring, a 2007 Bank Street Best Children's Book ...

Ages 8–12

Nidhi Chanani

It's a summer of secrets, and sorrow, and growing up, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other. This One Summer is a tremendously exciting new teen graphic novel from two creators with true literary clout.

Ages 8–12

Lily LaMotte

"Having just moved to Seattle from Taiwan, twelve-year-old Cici enters a cooking competition to win the chance to see her grandmother again, but she only knows how to cook Taiwanese food."--Provided by publisher.

Young adult

Malinda Lo

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND STONEWALL BOOK AWARD • From acclaimed author Malinda Lo comes a gripping, tender coming-of-age novel exploring identity, queerness, and historical upheaval set in San ...

Young adult

Nicola Yoon

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • An all-encompassing, whirlwind romance that’s “beautifully crafted” (People) and “full of intelligence, understanding and hope” (Los ...