As the warm embrace of summer gradually gives way to the crisp anticipation of fall, it's time to dust off backpacks and polish pencils for the back-to-school season. The excitement of new beginnings, the camaraderie of friends, and the joy of learning fill the air. The books on this list not only help little ones ease into the back-to-school routine but also celebrate the magic of friendship, kindness and embracing ones identity.
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Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon
Author: Kat Zhang (@katzhangwriter)
Illustrator: Charlene Chua (@charlenedraws)
"Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon" is a delightful read that celebrates representation, creativity, and self-expression. Amy Wu is excited about making a dragon in class, but when her dragon turns out differently than her classmates', she's disheartened. Her classmates tell her that it's not a dragon at all, and Amy feels pressured to change her creation to be more like theirs. However, after making changes, it doesn't feel right to her. Then, Amy's grandmother shares a story about Eastern dragons, which are very different from the Western dragons Amy’s class learned about. This inspires Amy to create a patchwork dragon that combines features of both Eastern and Western dragons and reflects both her cultural identity as an Asian-American and her unique artistic style.
Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome
Author: Kat Zhang (@katzhangwriter)
Illustrator: Charlene Chua (@charlenedraws)
“Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome” is a heartwarming story about welcoming someone new and celebrating different cultures. Amy's class has a new student, Lin, who just moved from China and doesn't speak English. At school, he is quiet and reserved, but when Amy sees him with his family, speaking Chinese, he’s a different person. Amy devises a plan to help Lin feel welcomed in their new home. She invites Lin and his family to a dumpling party and prepares a special message in Chinese, but she gets nervous about speaking the language, just like Lin feels nervous about speaking English. Despite her nerves, the dumpling party and warm welcome for Lin is a success!
Danbi Leads the School Parade
Author / Illustrator: Anna Kim (@artbyannakim)
Danbi’s family moves from Korea to America. Danbi is nervous about her first day of school because she doesn’t understand the language, games, or dances. She begins to feel isolated, but during lunch she has an idea that helps her connect with her fellow students - a parade! At the end of the day, Danbi makes a new friend and learns how to write her name in soft, round letters.
David Jumps In
Author: Alan Woo (@happywoo77)
Illustrator: Katty Maurey (@katty_maurey)
This lyrical tale, written in simple free verse, tells how a game with roots in ancient China --- called elastic skip in this story --- helps a boy find his footing on his first day at a new school. It is David's first day at his brand-new school. He doesn't know anyone. At recess, he stands alone and watches the other children enjoying their activities on the playground, from practicing soccer moves and climbing monkey bars to playing hopscotch and daydreaming in the grass. Bundled deep inside David's pocket is a string of rubber bands, knotted and ready for a game of elastic skip. But will anyone want to try that game? he wonders. Will anyone want to play with him? (Description from Amazon)
Emma Ren: Junior Paleontologist
Author: Jenny Lu (@jenny.lulubooks)
Illustrator: George Sweetland (@georgesweetland)
In "Emma Ren: Junior Paleontologist", Emma’s class takes a field trip to the Natural History Museum. Everyone else is excited, but Emma isn’t so sure. She’s scared of dinosaurs. The students meet Ms. Anning, a female Paleontologist, who gives the children a fossil project. Emma doesn’t want to participate, until her fellow classmate, Jake, encourages her and shows her how interesting Paleontology can be. Because of Jake’s passion for the subject, Emma is able to overcome her own fears and leave her comfort zone.
Emma Ren: Robot Engineer
Author: Jenny Lu (@jenny.lulubooks)
Illustrator: George Sweetland (@georgesweetland)
In "Emma Ren: Robot Engineer", Emma’s class is tasked with building the best battle robots. Emma is really excited until she’s paired up with Jeremy, who doesn’t think girls can build robots. Jeremy rejects most of Emma’s ideas and belittles her during their project. During the robot battle, Emma saves the day with her engineering skills. This makes Jeremy recognize and accept that girls can be good at building robots too. The last spread in the book shows the STEM Engineering Process.
Gibberish
Author / Illustrator: Young Vo (@youngvoart)
It’s Dat’s first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn’t know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says — from the school bus driver to his new classmates — sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can’t understand each other?
Luckily there’s a friendly girl in Dat’s class who knows that there are other ways to communicate, besides just talking. Could she help make sense of the gibberish?
I Am Different, I Am Great
Author: Melody Kiang (@journeywithmeimei)
Illustrator: Jinulz
Melody Kiang's debut picture book, "I am Different, I am Great," follows the story of five-year-old Mei Mei. While she adores her kindergarten class, Mei Mei occasionally grapples with feeling excluded due to her accent. Her mother imparts wisdom, explaining that each person comprises various facets influenced by their heritage and background, resulting in individuality and magnificence. Her mother emphasizes that self-perception outweighs external opinions, guiding Mei Mei to embrace her unique qualities like her multilingualism, protective nature, care for loved ones, and knack for sharing. Eventually, Mei Mei comprehends that her actions and identity hold greater significance than her manner of speech.
Like a Dandelion
Author / Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee (@huyvounlee)
“Like a Dandelion” is inspired by the author’s own experience moving to the US from Cambodia as a child. The book tells the story of a young girl and her mother who leave a refugee camp to start a new life in the United States. At first the girl is shy at school, but she soon makes friends and blossoms. The next year, she sees new immigrant children and, remembering her own experience, quickly invites them to join her friend group.
Luli and the Language of Tea
Author: Andrea Wang (@andreawhywang)
Illustrator: Hyewon Yum (@yumhyewon)
Luli attends an English as a Second Language (ESL) daycare. All the students speak different languages, so they all play alone. Luli creates a plan to bring the students together by sharing tea. Though they all have a different word for “tea”, all the children enjoy the drink. Sharing tea brings them all together and the children no longer play alone. It’s a really sweet reminder that bonds can be forged despite language barriers, and often children are better at seeing these opportunities.
Mighty Mara
Author: Carina Ho (@onikhomusic) and Jesse Byrd (@jessebcreative)
Illustrator: Monica Paola Rodriguez
Welcome to Sametown where everyone and everything is...well...the same. Except Mara! She's a little different. She’ bright. She’s sunny. And, unlike her classmates who are all planning on performing a similar magic show act at the school talent show, she is going to dance, dance, dance! One problem: everyone in Sametown – her classmates, her teacher—they all think she shouldn’t do it. And it’s not just (it seems) because dancing isn’t the status quo in Sametown...It’s because they just don’t believe in Mara. Mara won't let their dissuading and even their heckling rock her spirit, though. She’s Mighty Mara, and she’s about to shake she some new life into her muted town. In the most surprising and beautiful of ways. (Description from Amazon)
Mina's First Day of School
Author: Katrina Liu (@minalearnschinese)
Illustrator: Anselm Medina
On Mina’s first day of school, she learns many different ways of saying “yes” and “no” as she interacts with her animal classmates and teacher. This is a fun read, full of everyday language, for children getting ready for their own first day of school!
My First Day
Authors / Illustrators: Phùng Nguyên Quang & Huynh Kim Liên (@kaaillustration)
"My First Day" is a beautifully illustrated book that takes readers on a remarkable adventure alongside a young Vietnamese boy. From his home on the Mekong Delta to his school, the vividly depicted journey showcases both the challenges he faces and the breathtaking beauty of the water, forest, and sky that surrounds him. Undeterred by high waves, rain, and the ominous forest, the boy's unwavering determination shines through as he fearlessly presses on. Alongside the compelling narrative, the book's back matter offers readers additional insights into Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.
Say My Name
Author: Joanna Ho (@joannahowrites)
Illustrator: Khoa Le (@khoa.le.artwork)
Available September 26, 2023.
Names reveal generational ties and histories, weaving an intricate tale of the past. Names—and correctly saying them—are important. Each one carries the hopes, dreams, and traditions of those who came before us.
Six children connect with the reader and proudly celebrate their names and backgrounds: Hé Xiao-Guang, Ofa Kivaha Tupoumalohi, Bijan Hosseini, Nizhoni Yazzie, Xóchitl Luna, and Akosua Acheampong. These captivating kids of Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Navajo, Mexican, and Ghanaian descent also honor their ancestors and cultural histories. (Description from Amazon)
Sora's Seashells
Author: Helena Ku Rhee (@helenakurhee)
Illustrators: Stella Lim (@stellalim_art) & Ji-Hyuk Kim (@ji_hyukkim)
"Sora's Seashells" is a heartfelt tale that explores the significance of heritage, kindness, and personal growth. Sora's cherished summer moments with her South Korean grandmother, Halmoni, are centered around searching for seashells on the beach. However, Sora's desire to hoard the shells contrasts with Halmoni's selfless act of leaving the most beautiful one for someone else to find. Sora's struggles with bullies at school who make fun of her name and her subsequent decision to change her name to Sara reveals her internal turmoil. In a family trip to the beach, Sora's parents unveil the beautiful meaning behind her Korean name, given to her by her Halmoni, instilling a sense of pride in her heritage. This transformative experience propels Sora to confront her bullies and embody Halmoni’s legacy of kindness and generosity.
Thao
Author / Illustrator: Thao Lam (@thaohlam)
Even though it’s only four simple, familiar letters long, nobody can ever pronounce Thao’s name. She’s been called 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 lunchbox to find her mother’s Vietnamese spring rolls, gỏi cuốn―Thao’s favorite! Now, it feels a lot more comfortable to be herself.
The Name Jar
Author / Illustrator: Yangsook Choi (@yangsook.choi)
"The Name Jar" is about Unhei (은혜), a new immigrant to the US from Korea. Unhei gets teased about her different name, so she decides to take an American name. Her classmates offer suggestions in a name jar on her desk, but none quite fit. With the help of close family and friends, Unhei decides to keep her own beautiful and meaningful name. With some practice, her classmates are able to pronounce it correctly.
Do you know a fantastic book that would make a great addition to this list? I'd love to hear your recommendations! Please leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts. Thank you for helping make this list even better!
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