**An API Read-Aloud Initiative**

May is Asian Pacific Islander heritage Month, and in light of the rise in violent and racist attacks against the AAPI community this past year, I created the initiative to upload and share a new Interactive Read Aloud video featuring an Asian children’s book Every Weekday in May to MaiStoryBook Youtube . These featured reads include books starring Asian characters, and/or those that were created by Asian authors and illustrators. 

Part of working to create change starts with building  awareness, empathy, and an appreciation and respect for differences amongst the younger generations. Sharing books and stories that highlight Asian and Pacific Islander communities and voices is an impactful way to start conversations with little learners about current events.

Below you will find the full Read-Aloud Lineup of NEW interactive read alouds for every weekday in May. You will also see the breakdown of read-aloud titles by week~ with descriptions of each book and what Asian voices and identities they represent. Plus, if you are looking for API read alouds for the FULL Month of May, I’ve included a *Full Month Read Aloud Lineup* complete with weekend interactive read aloud suggestions from MaiStoryBook’s preciously featured API titles.

MaiStoryBook YouTube API Interactive Read Aloud Playlist

*~A special thank you to all the listed authors, illustrators, and publishers for permissions to share their books and for their commitment to sharing Asian voices. ~*

Click here to add these books to your own library.

**Note: This lineup is not representative of all Asian/Pacific islander countries. Selections were based on read aloud and copyright permissions in collaboration with publishers and authors/illustrators. For additional book recommendations representing more API voices and stories, check out @maistorybooklibrary on Instagram.

*Click on Book Titles in the Description to View Read Aloud Videos. Title Hyperlinks to Videos will be live on the corresponding Read Aloud Date*

Check out a collection of Asian Book Crafts inspired by Asian Picture Books

Week 1: 5/03 – 5/07

Monday 5/03: *The Star Festival* by Moni Ritchie Hadley, Illustrated by Mizuho Fujisawa, || Join Keiko, her mama, and her Obaasan as they celebrate Tanabata Matsuri, the Star Festival, in Japan. However, when Obaasan gets lost in the crowd, Keiko and Mama must work together to find her. || Published by Albert Whitman

Tuesday 5/04: *Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates* by Tim J. Myers, Illustrated by Bonnie Pang || A high-seas adventure story celebrating the courage and history of Chinese immigrants. When their boat is attached by Egg Pirates out at sea, it’s up to Yao Bai to come up with a clever plan to save all the precious eggs they found. || Published by West Margin Press

Wednesday 5/05: *Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines* by Jeanne Walker Harvey, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk || Biography of Chinese-American artist Maya Lin, famous for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial || Published by MacKids

Thursday 5/06: *Pan de Sal Saves the Day* by  Norma Olizon-Chikiamco, Illustrated by Mark Salvatus || A heart-warming story of a young Filipino girl who builds self-confidence after spending a day with her classmates and sharing her talents and cultural traditions with them. || Published by Tuttle

Friday 5/07: *Sakura’s Cherry Blossoms* by Robert Paul Weston, Illustrated by Misa Saburi || Sakura’s dad gets a new job in America, so she and her parents make the move from their home in Japan.  But that means leaving her grandma behind. Will Sakura find a way to adjust to her new life and make new friends? || Published by Tundra Books

Add these books to your own library

Week 2: 5/10 – 5/14

Monday 5/10: *Kuan Yin* by Maya van der Meer, Illustrated by Wen Hsu || An ancient Chinese tale of the world’s most beloved Buddhist heroine. This is a story of sisterhood, strength, and following your own path. || Published by Bala Kids

Tuesday 5/11: *My First Day* by Phung Nguyen Quang & Huynh Kim Lien || A visually stunning story of a young Vietnamese boy’s journey along the MeKong Delta to the first day of school. || Published by Random House Kids

Wednesday 5/12: *Kaya’s Heart Song* by Diwa Tharan Sanders, Illustrated by Nerina Canzi  || Set in the jungles of Malaysia, read along as Kaya finds her heart song. Her journey takes her to an abandoned carousel in the middle of the jungle that’s waiting for her special song to make it turn again. || Published by Lantana Publishing

Thursday 5/13: *Maya and the Turtle* by John C. Stickler, Illustrated by Soma Han || A Korean Fairytale about how a young girl’s courage and love help save her father from illness, and a town from a monstrous beast. || Published by Tuttle Publishing

Friday 5/14: *Thai Children’s Favorite Stories* by  Marian D. Toth, Illustrated by Patcharee Meesukhon || An anthology of colorfully illustrated Thai fables, myths, legends and fairy tales from Thailand that have been passed down through generations of Thai families. || Published by Tuttle Publishing

ADD THESE BOOKS TO YOUR OWN LIBRARY

Week 3: 5/17 -5/21

Monday 5/17: *The Good Song* by Penelope Dullaghan, Illustrated by  Alexandria Giardino || With the help of his grandpa, a little Hawaiian boy learns to listen for the good song. He finds it in his heart and shares it with the world. This story is inspired by the medley *Somewhere Over the Rainbow x What a Wonderful World* || Published by Cameron Kids

Tuesday 5/18: *Nimesh the Adventurer* by Ranjit Singh, Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini || A little boy’s walk-home from school is transformed into a riveting adventure with just a little bit of imagination! || Published by Lantana Publishing

Wednesday 5/19: *Four Feet, Two Sandals* by Karen Lynn Williams, Illustrated by Khadra Mohammed || A story about two girls who become friends by sharing a pair of sandals in a refugee camp on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. || Published by Eerdmans Publishing

Thursday 5/20: *It Began with a Page* by Kyo Maclear, Illustrated by Julie Morstad || The beautiful biography of Gyo Fujikawa, a Japanese-American illustrator who was the first one to illustrate books portraying children of color. || Published by HarperKids

Friday 5/21: *Sunday Funday in Koreatown* by Aram Kim || Sunday’s are always fundays, and today Yoomi and Daddy are going to Koreatown. However, even though nothing is going as Yoomi had planned, she will learn the advantages of being open-minded to new possibilities and experiences. This story celebrates family, resilience, and Korean culture. || Published by Holiday House

ADD THESE BOOKS TO YOUR OWN LIBRARY

Week 4: 5/ 24 – 5/31

Monday 5/24: *Gecko’s Complaint* by Ann Martin Bowler, Illustrated by  I Gusti Made Sukanada || A Balinese Folktale the features both English and Indonesian text. A jungle animal story about being grateful rather than complaining. || Published by Tuttle Publishing

Tuesday 5/25: *Two Bicycles in Beijing* by Teresa Robeson, Illustrated by Junyi Wu  || A sweet story about two bicycles separated at the store, and then finding each other as they ride through the sights in Beijing China. || Published by Albert Whitman

Wednesday 5/26: *Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers* by Rajani LaRocca, Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat  || Celebrate Raksha Bandhan with Bina as she designs the perfect bracelets for her brothers. || Published by Charlesbridge Publishing

Thursday 5/27: *Yang Warriors* by Kao Kalia Yang, Illustrated by Billy Thao || An inspiring story about a group of refugee children confronting the hardships they face in the Ban Vinai refugee camp. || Published by University of Minnesota Press

Friday 5/28: *The Cambodian Dancer* by Daryn Reicherter, Illustrated by Christy Hale || Biography of Sophany, a refugee Cambodian dancer, who followed her passion for dance and taught Cambodian dancing to Cambodian girls in America. A beautiful story about keeping hope and your spirit alive. || Published by Tuttle Publishing

Monday 5/31: *Where Thuong Keeps Love* by Thu Buu, Illustrated by Bao Luu || A beautiful story of the nonverbal ways love is held and stored in every part of the body. Inspired by the differences in the notion of love between American and Vietnamese cultures. || Published by West Margin Press

ADD THESE BOOKS TO YOUR OWN LIBRARY

A Full Month of API Interactive Read Alouds

Includes suggested weekend interactive read aloud videos from MaiStoryBook’s previously featured API titles.

Click the image for the full API Interactive Read Aloud Playlist

ADD THESE BOOKS TO YOUR OWN LIBRARY

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Through this read aloud initiative, mai goal is to highlight Asian voices and experiences, and to help create home/classroom libraries that truly represent and appreciate different cultures and histories~ to create libraries where each and every little can picture themselves in a story and see someone like them in literature.

*~ I’d love to  see and hear about your own reading adventures you are having to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, so please share your experiences below in the comments – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary  – find me on TikTok @MaiStoryBook – or post on MaiStoryBook’s FaceBook page!~*

Click here for more Diverse Interactive Read Aloud Videos

Check out MaiStoryBook’s List of Recommended Asian / Asian American Children’s Books

ASIAN BOOK CRAFTS INSPIRED BY ASIAN CHILDREN’S BOOKS

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*