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Asian Americans in Kidlit - A Conversation about Representation and Recommendations

ARAM KIM

@aramkim

MELISSA IWAI

@meliwai

KARUNA RIAZI

@KarunaRiazi

EMILY X.R. PAM

@exrpan

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What our Students are Saying…

“The first time I read a book about an Asian character was in third grade and that was because I was seeking it out.” - Prishaa
“People just judge Asian people, assuming they look the same and their culture are the same, but there’s actually very big differences.” - Chelsey
“I notice illustrations where [characters] are made to look extra white.” - Olivia
“Kids shouldn’t have to start reading books about Asian Americans until they have a teacher who happens to have it in their library.” - Prishaa
“I don’t just want to read books where a character is Asian and that’s THE MAIN THING about them. I want a story where like a South Asian girl has an adventure, too.”
“Everyone deserves to see themselves in a book.” - Perla

Early Ed Titles

No Kimchi for Me by Aram Kim
Soup Day by Melissa Iwai
Under My Hijab by Hena Khan
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
Thirty Minutes Over Oregon: A Japanese Pilot's World War II Story by Marc Tyler Nobleman
Let’s Go to the Hardware Store, Melissa Iwai
Good Night Engines, Melissa Iwai
Turtle Ship by Helena Ku Rhee
Meet Yasmin! (series) by Saadia Faruqi
A Pair of Twins by Kavitha Mandana
Cilla Lee Jenkins (series) by Susan Tan
Mystery Bottle by Kristen Balouch
Tree of Cranes and Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
Umbrella by Taro Yashima
Yoshi’s Feast by Kimiko Kajikawa

Middle Grade Titles

YA Titles