I’m grateful that my mother was able to read my debut picture book. My mother was always supportive of everything we did and when my sister and I started writing and publishing books, she would make a point of purchasing five copies.
At the time, she was living in an Independent Living facility so she really didn’t have the means to distribute the four copies of the books that were in duplicate. It was just her way to help us with our book sales. That’s my mom in a nutshell.
My mom passed away in September 2019 and in honor of her, I am giving away six copies of Sumo Joe for its six-month anniversary. Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. I can only mail to U.S. addresses.
p.s. My parents used to take us to the public library every single week. It was only at the 50% off book fair at Cal State University Long Beach that my father taught me that they would ever buy books. There used to be rows of tables with boxes of books at these book clearance events, and I would spend time searching for children’s books. I never found a book with Japanese characters, though, in my public library or at that book sale.
My mom would be happy to know that things have changed.
Japanese American Books for Kids
21 Wonderful Japanese Folk Tales
Japanese Internment Books for Kids
Learning About Japan Picture Books for Kids
For your young ninja, books to learn about Japan.
Connecting Science and Art: Hokusai’s The Great Wave
It’s amazing how a single piece of art can have a ripple effect, inspiring others all around the world and for many generations.
In Memory of Hiroshima Bombing Books and Crane Origami for Kids
Top 10: Japanese American Children’s Books (ages 2-16)
WWII Internment seems to dominate Japanese American books for kids. I agree that it is an important lesson in history — my own mother was forced to relocate but I also hunger for books that explore other facets of being Japanese American.
Kite flying is an important ritual in Asia and I’ve rounded up every great kite flying book thanks to a little help from my friends and readers.
Best BiLingual Japanese Books for Kids
This was my response to a reader request.
Japan: Books for Kids on Shogun, Family Crests, Block Prints
I explore my own Japanese history in this post.
Japanese American Post Internment Story: Journey Home (ages 8-12)
These older books explore the Japanese American internment experience during WWII, a shameful chapter in America’s history.
Pearl Harbor Day Books for Kids
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Your sweet mother! What a lovely photo! I’m sure that she was very proud of you!
Wishing you a happy half year book birthday!
Off the top of my head, I have no answer for such a specific comment. I have read a lot of literature that celebrates Asian cultures, and I hope to continue to share that with my grandchildren. You have some great literature listed here such as Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. My heartfelt condolences for you and your family.
Bless your mom! I already have a copy., but I want to encourage others to enter for a chance to read it!
I don’t have a favorite, but I hope to change that. Thank you for sharing stories and memories of your mother. I’m really touched by them, and I know I’m not the only one. My eyes stung with tears when I read the student feedback from your recent guest teaching stint at UMass Boston and the student wrote that she was grateful for your mother’s strength. What a lovely tribute to her, and such a clear indication that you are telling your mother’s story in its full dimensions: she is not a “cute Asian lady”, or simply your sweet mother, she is a strong woman who survived many things and went on, building a life and legacy.
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune was a recent book I read featuring an Asian woman who wanted to open a restaurant featuring her mom’s Asian recipes.
I am so glad your Mom got to see and read this book. I know she was very proud of you and your sister. She sounds very kind. Please enter my name in the rafflecopter drawing.
I have nieces and nephews that would enjoy reading the fabulous and fun Round is a Moon Cake by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Grace Lin, many times.
A new book that I found: “Thank You Very Mochi.” Oh great, now I want some mochi….
How precious! What a wonderful way to commemorate your mother. I love it!
Round is a Mooncake is a favorite.
I look forward to reading your book. I enjoy Grace Lin’s books, Dim Sum for Everyone! and A Big Mooncake for Little Star and share them both with students.
I think I would have to go with The Joy Luck Club, which I know is cliched, but food forms such a big part of it.
Round is a Mooncake is my choice
No favorites but love the book.
such a tribute to your lovely mom
“The Fortune Cookie Chronicles”; so sorry on your Mother’s passing.
The Japanese culture is rich in folklore.
So sorry for the loss of your mother. No favorite book.
I recently read Bila Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed and will be adding it to my collection. Thank you for sharing your very sweet story. Family ❤️
Your mom sounds amazing and so supportive. I’m so sorry for your loss; I bet she’d be happy to see your brilliant book going to so many people. What a great day to honor her❤️
Such a special memory of your mom ♥️ Mochi Queen by Debbi Michiko Florence. A story about a strong young girl and when it’s okay to break tradition.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mia. So many great titles. I want to read them all!
My kids got a copy of Hot Hot Roti from school and absolutely love it, its a lot of fun!
We just read My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz. Food was not featured but it was mentioned 😊.
My favorite is Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories: Anniversary Edition
Beautiful mother. I am glad I found your blog as I am an “excessive,” as you said, or as I say, “obsessive” reader of children’s books, especially those with multicultural characters and themes.
Are you on GoodReads by any chance? Would happily connect.
Blessings to your family.
~ Maya
My favorite Asian American book regarding food is “The Joy Luck Club”.
Looks like a great book. I am sorry about your mom. I lost mine in December. 🙁
I think I was supposed to mention a favorite book. My children and I read “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” tonight. My oldest said, ” I didn’t ‘like’ it but it felt important and something I should know about.”
I am counting this as Asian American as the story was from Japan and its author was North American.
George Takei’s graphic novel about internment would be another history that fits the category and my child’s sentiment.
My grandchildren would absolutely like to read the cool and interesting Jo Jo Eats Dim Sum by James Kye, always.
I have grandchildren that would definitely like to read the amazing and delightful Halmoni and the Picnic by Sook Nyul Choi, all of the time.
The wonderful and nice Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin, my grandchildren would always like to read, for lots of fun.
My nieces and nephews would really enjoy reading the marvelous and colorful Hot, Hot Roti for Daja-Ji by F. Zia, illustrated by Ken Min, for a great time.
My many children just love to read the awesome and neat Henry’s First-Moon Birthday by Lenore Look, for a fun time.
My many children just love to read the awesome and neat Henry’s First-Moon Birthday by Lenore Look, for a fun time..
I have nieces and nephews that would enjoy reading the fabulous and fun Round is a Moon Cake by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Grace Lin, many times..