Our Favorite Kids’ Books by AAPI Authors, for Toddlers to Teens

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There’s nothing we love more than a well-stocked kids’ bookshelf — unless it’s a diverse well-stocked kids’ bookshelf! And since May is Asian American and Pacific Islander American (AAPI) Heritage Month, we’ve curated this collection of some of the best kids’ books by AAPI authors. From lessons about Asian culture and tradition to lessons about racism and staying true to yourself, for toddlers to teens, there’s something for absolutely everyone on this list. We’ve arranged them in order of age level, from the youngest readers to the oldest.

Not only are these beautifully written and illustrated stories that your kids will love, they’re also the perfect way to begin conversations about inclusivity and empathy. Anti-Asian hate crimes rose a staggering 339% last year over the previous year, which highlights the absolute necessity of teaching our kids how to show kindness, appreciation for other cultures, and support for people who may be treated as “other.”

For AAPI Heritage Month, and every month, these kids’ books by AAPI authors show us that there’s such beauty in diversity — and that we’re all much more alike than it seems.