Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang (2019) – also available on e-book from the Indiana Digital Library. Amy loves to make bao with her family, but her bao never come out quite perfect. Can Amy figure out how to make the perfect bao? This sweet picture book celebrates perseverance and you can follow more of Amy Wu’s adventures in follow up books Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon and Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome.
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed (2019). Bilal is excited to help his dad cook his all-time favorite dish: daal! But daal takes a long time to cook and Bilal’s suddenly not sure if his friends will like it. Food brings a community together in this delicious picture book.
Let’s Go to Taekwondo by Aram Kim (2020). Yoomi loves taekwondo and desperately wants her yellow belt, but she struggles when it comes to breaking boards. Yoomi thinks she wants to quit, but can her Grandma change her mind? This is a wonderful book for any young reader who’s worked at a sport or activity and features a loveable Korean-American cat family. Read more about Yoomi and her family in Sunday Funday in Koreatown.
My First Day by Nguyen Quang Phung (2021) – also available on e-book from the Indiana Digital Library. An sets out in his boat to navigate the rising waters now that the rainy season has come to Vietnam. It’s the first time he’s taking this journey by himself and he’s sometimes scared, but he knows that his destination will be worth it! This is the perfect book for any child facing something new and a little scary.
Ojiichan’s Gift by Chieri Uegaki (2019). Every summer when Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan, she enjoys the rock garden he has created for her. But one summer Ojiichan is no longer able to live in his own home. Can Mayumi find a way to bring their garden to him? This poignant picture book celebrates the bond between grandfather and grandchild, as well as traditional Japanese landscaping.
