Asian characters in picture books just going about their everyday lives during modern times written by Asians? Yes! Asian joy! Let’s make a list together! Thank you for your suggestions!
44 Picture Books Celebrating Asian Joy
Here’s my contribution:
Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Nat Iwata
This is my debut picture book, but not the first picture book that Nat Iwata illustrated (though his first that came out). This is also the graphic designer’s first picture book! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Pizza Day by Melissa Iwai
On a sunny, summer day, a young boy and his father assemble the ingredients for a homemade pizza. From gathering fresh garden herbs to rolling out the dough for a crust to spreading on sauce and cheese, this picture book leads young chefs step-by-step through the process of making a favorite meal. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho, illustrations by Holly Meade
In charming rhyme, a mother asks the wildlife around her to stay quiet while the baby is asleep. The animals reflect the wildlife of Thailand: mosquito, lizard, cat, mouse, frog, pig, duck, monkey, buffalo, and elephant. Use this book to compare to a picture book about animals on a farm in the United States. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Attack of the Ninja Clan! by Arree Chung
A ninja must be ready for anything! Maxwell is a strong, courageous, silent ninja, but he also wants somebody to play with. Mama, Papa, and little sister Cassy are all too busy, leaving Maxwell disappointed and alone. [picture book series, ages 4 and up]
Burt’s Shirts by Surjit Kaur, illustrated by Pedro Demetriou
A story of a little boy who loves his shirt. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Is Mommy? by Victoria Chang, illustrated by Marla Frazee
In this irreverent, hilarious, and charming picture book, award-winning poet Victoria Chang and celebrated artist Marla Frazee show that all toddlers love their mommies—no matter what. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Morning with Grandpa by Sylvia Liu, illustrated by Christina Forshay
Mei Mei’s grandpa is practicing tai chi in the garden, and Mei Mei is eager to join in. As Gong Gong tries to teach her the slow, graceful movements, Mei Mei enthusiastically does them with her own flair. Then Mei Mei takes a turn, trying to teach Gong Gong the yoga she learned in school. Will Gong Gong be able to master the stretchy, bendy poses? Winner of the LEE & LOW New Voices Award, this title celebrates, with lively spirit and humor, the special bond between grandparent and grandchild and the joy of learning new things together. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Our Favorite Day by Joowon Oh
Thursdays are the favorite days for a grandfather and his granddaughter. As he goes about his usual routine of drinking tea, watering his plants and going to town for his favorite lunch, he adds another order to share. I found it a little confusing that the grandfather is referred to as “papa,” but the illustrations depict a kindly older gentleman. I love the cut-paper illustrations. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Apple Pie, Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
This is a picture book about a lively Chinese-American girl who wants to tell her parents how
things should be done on one special day. She is in for a surprise. This is a beautifully told story filled with emotions and colors. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hot, Hot Roti for Daja-Ji by F. Zia, illustrated by Ken Min
There aren’t many picture books that celebrate the foods from India or Pakistan which can make kids feel like their food is “weird.” I love that Hot, Hot Roti for Daja-Ji celebrates both a multi-generational family and the delicious homemade food from their ancestral homeland. Daja-Ji’s tells his grandson that he is able to summon up superhuman strength because of the hot, hot roti he enjoys! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Jo Jo Eats Dim Sum by James Kye
Jo Jo isn’t Asian but she’s an adventurous eater who will try interesting and delicious food! Can you challenge your kids to eat like Jo Jo? I also love the collage illustrations in this picture book by James Kye that combine cartoon drawings with photographs.
Will Jo Jo try the chicken feet? Would you? I personally love them! [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Mama’s Saris by Pooja Makhijani, illustrated by Elena Gomez
A seven-year-old longs to dress up in her mother’s gorgeous saris. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Henry’s First-Moon Birthday by Lenore Look, illustrated by Yumi Heo
It’s Jen’s little brother’s first-moon birthday and the entire family is scrambling to get ready. There’s so much to do from cooking a feast to cleaning to coloring eggs red. All of this brings young Henry good luck. Jen’s a little jealous but by the end of the party, she realizes that she and Henry are a team like two matching socks! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Jen drinks jasmine tea with her grandmother. To try a cooking activity to go along with this book, try making Jasmine tea and dying eggs red.
Danny’s Hawaiian Journey by Patrick Landeza, illustrated by Edna Cabcabin Moran
A young boy who has never been to Hawai‘i learns about his Hawai‘ian heritage. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Drawn Together by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat
A language and generation gap keep a grandson apart from his grandfather, but art draws them together in this heartwarming adventure. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin
A delightful introduction to Dim Sum in a simple book for preschoolers! It includes some Dim Sum favorites like pork buns, fried shrimp, turnip cakes, sweet tofu, and custard tarts. My kids’ favorite Dim Sum dishes include pork buns, Little Neck clams in black bean sauce, Siu Mai dumplings, mango jello, and steamed pork bits in black bean sauce. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Where Are My Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Spencer loves to read. He reads a book every night. But one morning his favorite book goes missing, and in its place is a tulip. Spencer searches high and low, but he can’t find his book.
The next morning another book is missing, a nut in its place. And the morning after that, another book is missing.
What is happening to Spencer’s books? When he finds out, Spencer devises a surprising solution that will delight readers (and librarians) everywhere. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Happiest Tree: A Yoga Story by Uma Krishmaswami, illustrated by Ruth Jeyaveeran
A young Indian-American girl is unsure about participating in her school play. Through yoga and breathing, she gains confidence. This book subtly weaves Uma’s Indian background and offers much to readers about the ancient yoga techniques while telling a story they can relate to. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Christiane Krömer
Rukshana Kahn brings alive the memory of kite flying in India. This book is more than that though. It is a book that all the children will enjoy and connect with because it has a warm, heartfelt story and lovely illustrations. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee
This book about (Korean) food is more than just shopping and cooking together. It is about warm family relationships, passing on cultural traditions, and sharing a special meal. When I first read the book I never had Bee-Bim Bop but it sounded great. I have had it since then and it is absolutely delicious. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
Grace Lin lived for some time in Somerville, a suburb next to Cambridge in Massachusetts and I picture her neighbors of different ethnicities inspiring this book. It could just be my fantasy, but I’m going with that.
A young girl complains that her garden is ugly compared to their neighbors. Her mother assures her that their garden is special too even though there aren’t pretty flowers or recognizable plants. When harvest season comes, her mother makes a heavenly soup that sends the neighbors over hoping for a trade. The ugly Chinese vegetables turn out to make the most delicious soup. Grace Lin includes the recipe as well in the very back of the book! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Wave by Suzy Lee
It just might be this little girl’s first trip to the ocean because at first, the waves scare her. She finally jumps in and frolics about in the water when a huge wave splashes her. She’s not happy about being pounded by the wave but it leaves presents behind. [wordless picture book, ages 4 and up]
Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias, illustrated by Tracy Subisak
…this is a poignantly emotional and highly relatable story for children whose grandparents or other family members might live far away, but also one that teaches universal lessons about overcoming fears of the unfamiliar.” –starred review from School Library Journal
Taiwanese-American girl named Kylie visits her Amah faraway in Taipei. They don’t see each other often enough, so the culture, customs, food, and even family feel unfamiliar to Kylie–until Amah takes her to soak in the hot springs. There, tempted by warm waters, Kylie splashes with Amah beginning a new-found openness to things Kylie had previously regarded with wariness. The modified reverse poem format highlights Kylie’s emotional change as the story’s tone shifts from cautious to hopeful and exuberant. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho
While a Taiwanese-American girl admires other girls’ big eyes and long lashes, she embraces her own. She recognizes how her eyes connect her to loved ones whose eyes look much like her own and ultimately, how they reflect the heritage of her past and hope for the future. This beautifully written, lyrical story begins with a relatable feeling of being different and ends with a powerful message to be shared with anyone whose eyes kiss in the corner. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Mommy’s Hometown by Hope Lim, illustrated by Jaime Kim
Mommy’s Hometown is about a mother/child connection that transcends time and place; a connection that is rooted in love and sharing. When a child visits his mother’s hometown, everything there is different from what he imagines in her stories. After spending some time with his mother, however, he eventually feels connected to the place and finds the beauty in what remains in a city where the old and the new come together. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Juna’s Jar by Jane Bahk, illustrated by Felicia Hoshino
A very sweet and charming story of a girl who deals with her best friend’s sudden departure by going on various imaginary adventures. Soft and beautiful illustrations accompany the text seamlessly. Very heartwarming and satisfying ending. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Twin’s Blankets by Hyewon Yum
Nowhere in the story does it say that these two adorable twin girls are Korean. Hyewon Yum just very naturally and masterfully lets the beautiful Korean traditional patterns and colors melt into this universal sibling story. Two twin girls narrate the story, and you will be amazed by how perfectly this author understands the children’s world. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim
This is a heartwarming story of a little girl who has immigrated from Korea and starts her first day of school. She feels out of place until lunchtime when she breaks out her beautiful stacked lunch box. Her favorite Korean dishes are well-received by her classmates. Danbi, in attempting to share her food, inadvertently starts a parade. Her first day of school is a big success! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
Suki’s Kimono is actually about the Obon festival and her cotton “kimono” is known as a “yukata.” A kimono is a more expensive and fancy affair. So, actually, this book should technically be called Suki’s Yukata which looks similar to a kimono and also has a sash called an “obi.”
It is hot and sticky in Japan during the summer! A silk kimono (or the less expensive synthetic not authentic polyester) would be sweltering to wear. A kimono also has more layers. The yukata is a simple cotton robe that you wear by itself. It’s lightweight and airy. It’s perfect for summer and, in fact, the summer “kimono.” I use mine as a bathrobe! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Snow Angel, Sand Angel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
Snow Angel, Sand Angel (Picture Book) by Lois-Ann Yamanaka tells the story of Claire who has been surrounded by deep blue waves and magnificent mountains of Hawai‘i all her life but has never, ever seen snow. And that’s what she wants more than anything. When her father drives her and her family to the top of Mauna Kea, she can’t help but be disappointed . . . it’s not the winter wonderland she’s always dreamed of. But as Claire edges closer to the New Year, she wonders if maybe she can delight in the special joys of winter in her own way—right there, on her Big Island of Hawai‘i. A guide in the back captures some of the local flora and fauna of Hawai‘i, as well as the value of being environmentally friendly. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Lois has a book list of Hawai‘i Children’s Books by Writers of the Island We Call Home, part of the #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2022.
The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito, illustrated by Julia Kuo
“Do you have a favorite sound?” little Yoshio asks. The musician answers, “The most beautiful sound is the sound of ma, of silence.”
But Yoshio lives in Tokyo, Japan: a giant, noisy, busy city. He hears shoes squishing through puddles, trains whooshing, cars beeping, and families laughing. Tokyo is like a symphony hall! Where is silence?
Join Yoshio on his journey through the hustle and bustle of the city to find the most beautiful sound of all. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki and Qin Leng
Hana is just a beginner at violin but she signed up for the talent show anyway. Her older brothers laugh in derision. But Hana feels a connection to music because her grandfather in Japan — Ojichan — was a professional violinist and taught her that the sounds the violin makes can mimic nature. Hana is nervous the night of her performance; will her brothers turn out to be right? I’d gift this picture book to any child learning to play an instrument, particularly the violin! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasaki
Dad wakes early every morning before the sun, heading off to work at the bakery. He kneads, rolls, and bakes, and as the sun rises and the world starts its day, Dad heads home to his young daughter. Together they play, read, garden, and—most importantly—they bake. [picture book, ages 6 and up]
One Hug by Katrina Moore and illustrated by Julia Woolf
At its heart—it’s about one hug connecting us in ways that sometimes words cannot. [picture book, ages 0-4]
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua
Amy Wu has grit and will stop at nothing to make the perfect bao on Bao Making Day with her family. When her bao turns out too small, too full, or full of leaks, she perseveres. There’s an adorable cat and a lovable family that surrounds Amy in this delicious story that also shows that mistakes can be quite scrumptious, too. The recipe at the end is an added treat. When my family goes to dim sum, bao is always one of my favorites. I’ve never made it myself. But I definitely want to after reading this book! [picture book, 4-8]
The Shadow in the Moon: A Tale of the Mid-Autumn Festival by Christina Matula, illustrated by Pearl Law
This is a lovely picture book in which a family, two sisters, and their grandmother, celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Chinese Moon Festival). Grandmother (Ah-ma) tells the story of the archer and his wife and how the lady on the moon came to be. Use this picture book to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival with or without mooncakes. This book is an interesting blend of contemporary Chinese customs and traditional folklore. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Mama and Papa Have a Store by Amelia Lau Carling
I love this story about a Chinese family that immigrated to Guatemala City and owns a store. Depicting a typical day in the life of a family as described by the youngest, it’s a fun way to learn about the people and culture of Guatemala and the gentle rhythm of their lives. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani, illustrated by Holly Hatem
A beautiful story about taking joy and pride in one’s family and cultural traditions. A young girl regales her and her papa’s daily hair ritual – from brushing to braiding while doing “hip cheers”. A short author’s note at the end provides information on Sikhism and the tradition of not cutting one’s hair. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed
Bilal invites his non-South Asian friends to help make his favorite dish daal, a South Asian lentil stew. They mix yellow chana daal, spices, ginger, garlic, and more. Be sure to have some cooked daal on hand since this book will leave you feeling hungry or make the recipe at the end of the book. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Priya Dreams of Marigolds and Masala by Meenal Patel
A lovely story about taking joy in carrying traditions across cultures and generations. Priya loves hearing her ba’s stories of India from the swish-swish of the saris to the steaming cup of chai. When ba misses the marigolds in winter, Priya and her friends make a marigold garland to cheer her up. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Fahmida Azim
I enjoyed seeing Amira’s heartfelt joy in celebrating the Muslim holiday of Eid. Amira loves putting on the mehndi, preparing goody bags to pass out at the masjid, and eating the yummy treats. But there is part of her that wishes she didn’t have to miss Picture Day at school. Luckily, it all works out in the end. Backmatter includes more information on Eid and a glossary. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Fatima’s Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
Fatima and her family go camping for the first time. While there are plenty of challenges from putting up the tent to building a fire, they pull together and make it a memorable vacation. I love the little bits that make the camping trip uniquely theirs from the Bollywood singing in the car, and eating samosas, to the fact that Mama is excellent at catching lizards. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, illustrated by Alea Marley
A sweet book about a young boy, Harpreet, who expresses his feelings through the color of his patka – pink for celebrating, red for needing courage, and yellow for spreading cheer. But when the family moves to a new city, Harpreet wears his white patka since he is feeling shy. A touching story about the universal experience of having to move to a new place and make it home. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
A young, spirited girl is tired of hearing she’s “too young” from her family. She sets out to prove she can do “older” things too by wearing one of her mother’s saris. There are some mishaps along the way leading to one big “oops”. The book ends on a note of family acceptance. It’s a book about trying new things, messing up, and fitting in anyway. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
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p.s. Related posts:
40+ Lists of Asian American Books for Kids
South Asian-American Picture Books of Joy
Can A Book Do Real Harm? Anti-Asian Racism in Joey Pigza series by Jack Gantos
Picture Books set in Asia or about Asian-Americans
Asian Culture and KidLit Series: Our connection to 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Celebrating Asian Americans for #WomensHistoryMonth
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My books:
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
- 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
