I am so happy to see beautiful picture books by Asian authors. Many of these children’s books are brilliantly illustrated and highlight a wide variety of topics, from culture to food, relationships with grandparents, and welcoming a new sibling. no matter what kind of stories you’re looking for, these authors have you covered!
Great Picture Books by Asian Authors
Here are over 40 of the best picture books by Asian authors:
You are reading: Asian american picture books
I’m golden
Published: February 1, 2022
what do you see when you look in the mirror, mei? do you see beauty?
We see eyes that point towards the sun, that give us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. we see hair as black as ink and soft as a peaceful night sky. we see skin brushed with gold.
the kingdom of paper
Published: February 18, 2020
When the babysitter can’t come, Daniel gets out of bed and joins his parents as they head downtown to work as night office cleaners. but history is more than brooms, mops and vacuum cleaners. Mom and Dad turn the deserted office building into a magnificent kingdom full of paper. then weave a fantasy of dragons and kings to further engage their reluctant partner, and even encourage him to one day be king of a paper kingdom.
wishes
Published: May 4, 2021
Wishes tells the powerful and honest story of a Vietnamese family’s search for a new home on the other side of the world, and the powerful and lasting impact it has on one of the family’s youngest members. Inspired by true events in the author’s life, this is a narrative that is both timely and timeless. Told through the eyes of a young girl, the story chronicles one family’s difficult and powerful journey to pack what they can carry and leave their world behind, traveling to a new and unknown place on a crowded boat. Featuring a sparse, poetic and lyrical text by acclaimed author Mượn Thị Văn, thoughtful background material on the author’s connection to history, and luminous, stunning illustrations by Forbes honoree Victo Ngai 30 Under 30 Wishes Tell a Powerful Story and timely in a soft and accessible tone for young children and their families.
the lost packet
Published: March 2, 2021
Like other packages, this one started out as an empty box. it was packed with great care, hermetically sealed and given a personal touch.
Like other packages, it left the post office with hope. but unlike most packets, before they reach their destination…
it
I have
lost.
follow a lost package and discover a story of friendship that proves distance can’t always keep us apart.
the doll
Published: April 20, 2021
A girl and her family arrive at an airport in a new country. they are refugees, migrants who have traveled the world in search of safety. some strangers greet them and one of them gives a doll to the girl. Decades later, that little girl grows up and she has the opportunity to take in a group of newly arrived refugees in her adoptive country. to the youngest, a girl, she gives a doll, knowing that it will help her feel welcome. inspired by real events.
dumplings for lili
Published: June 1, 2021
lili loves to cook baos, and nai nai has taught her all the secrets to making them, from lovingly and firmly kneading the dough to being grateful for the strong, healthy ingredients in the filling. But when Nai Nai realizes they’re out of cabbage (Secret #8: Line the basket with cabbage leaves!), she sends Lili to Babcia’s apartment on the sixth floor to buy some. Babcia is happy to share her cabbage, but she needs potatoes for her pierogi. . . .
What follows is a race up the stairs as Lili helps all the grannies in her building borrow ingredients for different dumplings: Jamaican beef burgers, Italian ravioli, Lebanese fatayer and more. Driven by Melissa Iwai’s captivating artwork and kinetic storytelling, Dumplings for Lili is a light-hearted tale of sharing food, friendship, and love in all its forms.
ten meatballs
Published: January 5, 2021
In the city of Fengfu lives a very special family, special because they have ten children who do everything together. their parents call them their ten little dumplings, as both the sons and the dumplings are auspicious. but if you look closely, you will see that there is someone else there, listening, studying, learning and discovering her own talent: a sister. As this little girl grows up in the shadow of her siblings, her determination and persistence help her create her own path in the world. . . and she becomes the wisdom that she passes on to her own daughter, her own little dumpling.
Based on a short film made by the author, inspired by her father’s family in Taiwan, Ten Little Dumplings explores some sad truths about the place of girls in our world in an accessible, inspiring, and hopeful way.
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bindu of bindis
Published: March 16, 2021
This charming picture book is about a girl who loves her bindis (and the many creative ways they come!). the bindis are also a connection to her nani who lives in india. When Nani comes to visit Bindu and brings her the bindis, she is just in time to wear something new to the school talent show. Bindu and Nani work together to shine their brightest and embrace her brilliance, even when they stand out from the crowd.
June bottle
Published: January 15, 2015
sometimes a simple everyday object can take you on great adventures. Juna and her best friend Hector have many adventures together and love to collect things in empty kimchi jars. Then one day, Hector unexpectedly moves out without getting a chance to say goodbye. Juna is heartbroken and wonders who will go on adventures with her. Determined to find Hector, Juna turns to her special jar of kimchi for help each night. she dives into the depths of the ocean, she swings on vines through the jungle and flies through the night sky in search of her friend. What Juna finds is that adventure and new friends can be found in the most unexpected places. Paired with dreamy watercolor illustrations by Felicia Hoshino, Juna’s Jar is a moving and whimsical story about the power of imagination.
amy wu and the perfect bathroom
Published: October 1, 2019
meet funny, fierce and fearless amy wu, who is determined to make a perfect bao bun today. Will she be able to rise to the occasion?
amy loves doing bao with her family. but it takes skill to make the bath taste and look delicious. and her bath keeps going wrong.
then you have an idea that can give you a second chance… will amy ever do the perfect bao?
cress
Published: March 30, 2021
driving through ohio in an old pontiac, a girl’s parents stop suddenly when they see watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side of the road. Grabbing an old paper bag and a pair of rusty scissors, the whole family dives into the mud to collect as many mud-covered watercresses and snails as possible.
at first, she feels embarrassed. Why can’t her family buy food at the supermarket? But when her mother shares a story of her family’s time in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they sought. together, they make a new watercress memory.
the ocean calls
Published: August 4, 2020
dayeon wants to be a haenyeo like grandma. the haenyeo dive off the coast of jeju island to extract treasures from the sea; generations of Korean women have done it for centuries. to this day, haenyeo are as strong and graceful as mermaids. To give him strength, Dayeon eats Grandma’s abalone porridge. she practices holding her breath while they do the dishes. And when Grandma gets dressed for her next dive, Dayeon grabs her wetsuit, her fins, and her goggles. A terrifying memory of the sea keeps Dayeon clinging to the shore, but with Grandma’s guidance, Dayeon comes to appreciate the ocean’s many gifts.
laxmi’s mooch
Published: March 2, 2021
A light-hearted, body-positive picture book about a young Native American girl’s journey to accept her body hair and celebrate her heritage after being mocked for her mustache.
laxmi never paid much attention to the little hairs on her lip. But one day, while she is playing farm animals at recess, her friends point out that her whiskers would make her the perfect cat. she begins to notice body hair on her arms, legs, and even between her eyebrows.
With the help of her parents, laxmi learns that hair isn’t just for the head, it grows everywhere, regardless of gender. with affirmative text by shelly anand and exuberant and endearing illustrations by nabi h. ali, laxmi’s mooch is a celebration of our bodies and our body hair, however they grow.
eyes that kiss in the corners
Published: January 5, 2021
A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers. They have large, round eyes and long eyelashes. she realizes that her eyes are like those of her mother, her grandmother and her little sister. they have eyes that kiss at the corners and sparkle like hot tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are full of stories from the past and hope for the future.
Harnessing the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. This powerful and poetic picture book will resonate with readers of all ages.
good luck and the three pandas
Published: January 7, 2014
It’s Chinese New Year and Goldy Luck’s mom wants him to bring a plate of turnip cakes to the neighbors. The Chans aren’t home, but that doesn’t stop Goldy from trying their rice porridge, their chairs, and their beds, with disastrous results.
See Also: About Ron | Ron Rolheiser
In this fun and festive tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Natasha Yim and Grace Zong introduce a brave heroine who takes responsibility for her actions and makes a new friend (and a whole plate of turnip cakes!) !), just in time. for Chinese New Year.
includes back material on Chinese New Year and a recipe for turnip cakes.
outside, inside
Published: January 5, 2021
something strange happened on a normal day just before the season changed.
everyone who was outside. . .
. . . entered.
outside, everything was calmer, wilder and different. inside, we laughed, we cried and we grew.
We remember to protect those we love and to love those who protect us.
while the outside world changed, we became stronger inside and believed that one day soon spring would return.
drawn together
Published: June 5, 2018
When a child visits his grandfather, the lack of a common language generates confusion, frustration and silence. But when they sit down to draw together, something magical happens: With a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.
a different pond
Published: August 1, 2017
A 2018 Caldecott Honors book that Kirkus reviews calls “a must-read for our times,” A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event: a fishing trip from long ago. Graphic novelist Thi Bui and acclaimed poet Bao Phi provide a powerful and honest look at the relationship between father and son, and between cultures, old and new. As a child, Bao and his father would wake up early, hours before his father’s long workday began, to fish on the banks of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other fishermen, Bao and his father fished for food, not for fun. a successful catch meant a family fed. Between hopeful casts, Bao’s father told her about a different pond in his homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui’s striking and evocative art combined with Phi’s deftly crafted prose has earned this powerful picture book six star reviews and numerous awards.
the jar of names
Published: October 30, 2013
a heartwarming story about the new girl in school and how she learns to appreciate her Korean name.
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what happens when no one can pronounce your name? Fresh from Korea, Unhei is eager to fit in. So instead of showing up on the first day of school, she decides to pick an American name out of a glass jar. But while Unhei thinks about being Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, nothing feels right. With the help of a new friend, Unhei will learn that the best name for her is hers.
my first day
Published: February 16, 2021
This is no ordinary first trip. The rainy season has arrived in the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese man, sets out alone in a wooden boat with a small backpack and armed only with an oar. Along the way, he faces gigantic waves, heavy rain, and eerie forests where fear overtakes him. though intimidated by the unknown darkness, he realizes that he is not alone and continues paddling. he knows it will all be worth it when he reaches his destination, one familiar to children around the world.
how to wear a sari
Published: June 22, 2021
Being a little kid isn’t always fun and fun. sometimes, it’s downright annoying.
When a girl gets tired of being treated like she’s too little, she sets out to prove to her family that she can do anything she sets her mind to. . .
. . . including putting on a colorful, shiny and silky sari. Sure, they’re long and unwieldy, but that just means your family will be even more impressed when you wear them on your own.
Naturally, there are a few mishaps along the way, but she discovers she’s not the only one in her family who’s set out to try something, with chaotic and hilarious results. That’s what photo albums are for!
beautifully me
Published: September 14, 2021
meet zubi: a cheerful girl from bangladesh excited for her first day of school. But when Ella Zubi sees her mother frowning in the mirror and talking about being “too big”, she begins to worry about her own body and how she looks. As the day goes on, she hears more and more people criticizing each other and their own bodies, until her outburst at dinner leads her family to see what they’ve been doing wrong, and to help Zubi see that everyone is safe. we can make the world a more beautiful place by being beautifully ourselves.
storm: a story about finding a forever home
Published: September 17, 2019
In this heartwarming wordless picture book perfect for dog lovers, a woman visits a park and discovers a puppy hiding under a bench, disheveled, scared and alone. With gentle persuasion, the woman tries to befriend the animal, but the dog is too scared to let her get close. day after day, the woman tries, and day after day, the dog runs away. with perseverance and patience, and with the help of a tempting tennis ball, he begins a tentative friendship. But it’s not until a raging storm brings the two together that a happy and satisfying friendship takes hold. guojing poignantly explores how trust doesn’t always come easily, but how, over time, and with kindness and determination, love can forever grow.
the ocean is found
Published: May 15, 2018
It’s a good day to sail.
finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. every time he looks out the window it is a constant reminder of the stories his grandfather told him about where the ocean meets the sky. where whales and jellyfish soar and birds and castles float.
Finn’s grandfather is gone, but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He himself will build his own ship and sail to find this magical place!
And when you get there, maybe, just maybe, you’ll find something you didn’t know you were looking for.
a map of the world
Published: October 1, 2019
As the seasons change, so does a young Hmong girl’s world. she moves to a new home with her family and meets birth and death. As this curious little girl explores life within her home and beyond, she collects bits and pieces of the natural world. but for whom are her treasures?
paper child
Published: September 24, 2019
Before he became an artist named Tyrus Wong, he was a boy named Wong Geng Yeo. He traveled across a vast ocean from China to America with only a suitcase and some papers. not drawing papers -which he loved to do- but immigration papers to start a new life. Once in the United States, Tyrus jumped at every opportunity to make art, eventually enrolling in an art institute in Los Angeles. working as a janitor at night, his mop spun like a paintbrush in his hands. Eventually, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime, and using sparse brushstrokes and soft watercolors, Tyrus created Bambi’s iconic backgrounds.
julie leung and chris sasaki perfectly capture the beautiful life and work of a painter who came to this country with dreams and talent, and changed the world of animation forever.
I dream of poo
Published: January 5, 2021
I dream about poo as he rocks me in his arms. I greet popo before boarding my flight. I talk to popo from the other side of the sea. I tell Popo about my adventures.
When a girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to America, she leaves behind her beloved Popo, her grandmother. She misses her daddy every day, but even if her visits are fleeting, her love is always true and strong.
ruby’s wish
Published: September 1, 2002
ruby is unlike most girls on old china. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend college when she grows up, just like the children in her family. Based on the inspiring story of the author’s grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, Ruby’s Wish is a compelling portrait of a girl who strives for more and a family that rewards her hard work and bravery.
the paper boat
Published: September 15, 2020
at home in vietnam, a girl rescues ants from sugar water intended to trap them. Later, when the girl’s family flees war-torn Vietnam, the ants guide them through the moonlit jungle to the boat that will take them to safety. before boarding, the girl folds a paper boat out of a bun wrapper and drops it into the water, and the ants climb in. Her perilous journey, beset by harsh weather, predatory birds, and dehydration, before reaching a new beginning mirrors that of the family. Impressionistic collages and moving narration from own voices make this a unique story of courage, resilience, and hope.
tao
Published: April 15, 2021
Although it only has four simple and familiar letters, no one can pronounce the name of thao. They have called it theo, tail, even towel! but the teasing names (tofu, tiny, china girl) are worse. maybe it’s time to be someone else? thao decides to try on a different name, something easy, like jennifer.it works, but only until she opens her lunch box to find her mom’s vietnamese spring rolls, gỏi cuốn, thao’s favorite! now, she feels much more comfortable being herself. Simple on the surface, this story inspired by Thao’s own childhood is full of humor, heart, and important ideas of diversity, inclusion, and cultural pride. the story will instantly resonate with readers who have once felt different.
puddle
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Published: March 8, 2016
On a rainy day, a little boy is upset because he can’t go out to play. her mother comes up with a way to keep him entertained: by drawing a picture of her and him coming out of her, playing in the rain and splashing around in a giant puddle. they have so much fun drawing themselves that they decide to venture out and make the most of the rainy weather.
tiger camp
Published: May 21, 2019
every year, a boy and his family camp at the mountain pond.
They usually see things like an eagle catching their dinner, a salamander with red spots on its back, and chipmunks coming to steal food while the family sits by the campfire.
but this year is different. This year, the boy will enter first grade and his mother encourages him to do things on his own, as does his older brother. and the most different of all. . . this year, a tiger comes to the forest.
my day with gong gong
Published: September 8, 2020
A day in Chinatown takes an unexpected turn when a bored girl makes a connection with her grandfather.
May is not having fun on her trip through Chinatown with her grandfather. Gong Gong doesn’t speak much English and she may not understand Chinese. she is hungry and bored with gong gong errands. Plus, it looks like Gong Gong’s friends are making fun of her! But just when she can’t take it anymore, Gong Gong surprises her with a gift that reveals he’s been paying more attention than she thought.
With playful, expressive illustrations by Elaine Chen, this charming debut expertly captures life in the city and shows how small shared moments of patience and care, and a dumpling or two, can help a child. and a grandfather to bridge generational and cultural gaps. between them.
the most beautiful
Published: October 6, 2020
Based on author Kao Kalia Yang’s childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this poignant picture book portrays a family with lots of love and little money. Intertwining Kalia’s story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family’s early years in the United States.
When Kalia is unhappy about having to go without them and decides she wants braces to improve her smile, it’s her grandmother, a woman with only one tooth in her mouth, who helps her see that true beauty lies within her. in those who love more. Stunning illustrations by Vietnamese illustrator Khoa bring this intergenerational tale to life.
my tree
Published: May 4, 2021
When a little boy’s beloved plum tree falls in a storm, he feels he has lost a friend and a connection to his old home.
a young boy just arrived from korea finds a glorious plum tree in his new backyard. he reminds her of a tree his family had at home, and calls it “plumee” because of the dark purple plums on its branches. whenever the child feels homesick, he knows that he can take refuge in the high branches of plumee.
and when a storm topples the old tree, he and his friends have all kinds of adventures in its branches, as it becomes a dragon, a tree house and a ship in their imagination. but soon it is time to say goodbye when the remains of the tree are carried away. before long, a new plum tree is planted, new flowers bloom, and a new friendship takes root.
bee-bim bop!
Published: September 12, 2005
bee-bim bop (the name translates to “mixed rice”) is a traditional Korean dish of rice coated and then mixed with meat and vegetables. In a text with lively rhymes, a hungry girl recounts how she helped her mother make bee-bim bop: shopping, preparing ingredients, setting the table, and finally sitting down with her family to enjoy a meal favorite of hers The young storyteller’s energy and enthusiasm are conveyed in the whimsical illustrations, which bring details of the artist’s childhood in Korea to his depiction of a modern Korean American family. Even young readers unfamiliar with the dish will recognize the pride that comes from helping mom, the fun of mixing ingredients in a bowl, and the joy of sharing a delicious meal. includes author’s recipe.
lala’s words
Published: July 6, 2021
ah, there goes lala! she carries a pot of water around the corner, down the block and over the fence, to a patch of dirt and cement where tiny weeds sprout. “Hello, hello, friends!” she whispers. Lala waters the plants every day, but it’s her kind words that make them sway and nod.
lala’s wild nature and quiet compassion enchant in this perennial story about the power of kind words and the magic of being loved for who you are.
no kimchi for me!
Published: September 5, 2017
yoomi hates stinky and spicy kimchi, the pickled cabbage relish served in Korean meals. so her brothers call her baby and refuse to play with her. yoomi is determined to eat kimchi. she tries to cover it up by eating it in a cookie, on a pizza, and in ice cream. but that doesn’t work. Grandma then shows Yoomi how to make kimchi pancakes. This story about family, food, and a six-year-old’s “coming of age” has universal themes while celebrating Korean culture. a recipe for kimchi pancakes and other previous stuff is included.
our favorite day
Published: October 3, 2019
Every morning Grandpa follows his normal routine. he drinks his tea, waters his plants, tidies up and takes the bus to town. Grandpa enjoys his daily chores, but there is one day every week that is very special. that’s the day he could visit the craft store, order two orders of meatballs to go, and possibly pick some flowers he sees along the way. With its understated text and wonderfully warm watercolor and paper-cut illustrations that beg to be pored over, Joowon Oh’s story of the singular love between a grandfather and a granddaughter will nestle in every reader’s heart.
welcoming the new year
Published: January 8, 2008
This exuberant story follows a Chinese-American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep up last year’s dust, hang decorations and make meatballs. then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, bright lanterns, and a big, long parade of dragons to help bring in the lunar new year. and the parade of dragons in our book is extra long on a surprise fold-out page at the end of the story. Grace Lin’s artwork is a brilliantly and gloriously modeled celebration of itself! and his story is tailor-made for reading aloud.
Grandma’s school
Published: May 5, 2020
Every morning, a girl accompanies her grandmother to the aajibaichi shala, the school that was built so that the grandmothers of her village would have a place to learn to read and write.
The narrator beams with pride as she leaves her grandmother with the other aajis to practice the alphabet and learn simple arithmetic. A heartwarming story about family, women, and the power of education: When Aaji learns to spell her name, you’ll want to dance with her.
Women in countless countries continue to bear the constraints of illiteracy. Unjust laws have suppressed the rights of girls and women and prevented many from obtaining an education and an equal position in society. Based on a true story from the village of Phangane, India, this brilliantly illustrated book tells the story of grandmothers who were able to go to school for the first time in their lives.
danbi leads the school parade
Published: July 7, 2020
Meet Danbi, the new girl in school!
danbi is excited to start her new school in the united states. but she is a little nervous too, because when she enters the classroom, everything is silent. everyone looks. Danbi wants to join the dances and games, but she doesn’t know the rules and she can’t do anything right. Luckily, she’s not one to give up. With a spark of imagination, she invents a new game and leads her classmates in a parade to remember. danbi leads the school parade introduces readers to an irresistible new character. In this first story, she learns to navigate between her two cultures and realizes that when you open your world to others, their world opens to you.
the runaway wok
Published: January 6, 2011
When a child goes to the market to buy food and comes home with an old wok, his parents wonder what they will have for dinner. but then the wok rolls out of the poor family’s house with a skippity-hoppity-ho! And he returns from the rich man’s house with a feast in tow!
where three oceans meet
Published: August 24, 2021
I want to see what’s at the end of the earth!” sejal, mami and pati travel together to the southern tip of india. Along the way, they share meals, visit markets, and catch up with old friends. For Pati, the journey takes her through spaces she knows well. For mom, it’s a return to where she grew up. for sejal, it is a discovery of new sights and sounds. The family finds their way to Kanyakumari, where three oceans meet, and delights in reaching the end of the world together. This self-voiced picture book celebrates the beauty of India and the enduring love of family.
amira photo day
Published: April 13, 2021
just thinking about eid makes amira feel warm and tingly inside. From wearing new clothes to handing out goodie bags at the mosque, Amira can’t wait for the festivities to begin. But when a flyer on the refrigerator catches her eye, Amira’s stomach turns cold. It’s not just Eid, it’s also school picture day. if she is not in her class picture, how will her classmates remember her? Won’t her teacher wonder where she is?
Although the day’s celebrations at the mosque are everything Amira ever dreamed of, her absence on photo day weighs heavily on her. An afterthought on the drive home could provide the answer to everything in this charming story by acclaimed author Reem Faruqi, vibrantly illustrated by Fahmida Azim.
salma the syrian chef
Published: March 10, 2020
all salma wants is to make her mom smile again. between english classes, job interviews and dad’s absence in syria, mom always seems busy or sad. A homemade Syrian meal might cheer her up, but Salma doesn’t know the recipe, or what to call vegetables in English, or where to find the right spices! Fortunately, the staff and other newcomers to your welcome home are happy to lend a hand and a pinch of sumac.
With creativity, determination and charm, Salma gathers her new friends to show Mom that while things aren’t perfect, there is cause for hope and celebration. Syrian culture is beautifully represented through the food Salma prepares and Anna Bron’s vibrant illustrations, while the diverse cast of characters speaks to the power of cultivating community in difficult circumstances.
our little kitchen
Published: September 22, 2020
tie on your apron! roll up your sleeves! the pans are out, the oven is hot, the kitchen is ready! where do we start?
In this lively and heartwarming picture book by Caldecott honoree Jillian Tamaki, a team of resourceful neighbors come together to prepare a meal for their community. With a garden full of produce, a cheerfully chaotic kitchen, and a friendly meal shared at the table, our little kitchen is a celebration of full stomachs and caring for one another. Bonus materials include recipes and an author’s note on the volunteer experience that inspired the book.
There they are: 47 of the best picture books by Asian authors. which of these have you read? Which ones did I miss?
See Also: Lois Lowry – Book Series In Order
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