Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is Celebrated in May

Each May our nation celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to recognize the enormous diverse and cultural contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made throughout American history.  The official designation of May as AAPI Heritage Month was signed into law in 1992.  AAPI Heritage Month celebrates a culturally and linguistically-diverse people, representing populations from many countries and islands.

Come to this exciting event! The Wilmette Community Center is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a festival that will include interactive cultural booths, live performances, food, and more on Saturday, May 4 from 1-4pm. 

Here are some great AAPI-authored children’s books that our youth librarians recommend you check out!

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin

Ling and Ting are identical twins that people think are exactly the same, but time and again they prove to be different.

Dumplings for Lili by Melissa Iwai

Lili loves to cook little dumplings called baos with her grandmother, but when cabbage is needed, Lili races up and down the stairs of her grandmother's apartment building to find the ingredient.

Yes we will: Asian Americans who shaped this country by Kelly Yang

A lyrical nonfiction picture book featuring eighteen Asian American changemakers and two pivotal moments in Asian American history, illustrated by fifteen renowned Asian and Asian American artists.

A is for Asian American: an Asian Pacific Islander Desi American alphabet by Virginia Loh-Hagan

Following the alphabet, poetry, and expository text explain and showcase the cultural traditions and contributions of Asian Americans throughout U.S. history.

Awesome Asian Americans: 20 stars who made America amazing by Philip Amara

This is an illustrated children's anthology of noteworthy Asian Americans: 20 groundbreaking men and women from diverse backgrounds and vocations.