Please note:
This is a dynamic and living document and will be updated as we add more resources.
We have a number of related posts in the works as of 10 May 2023 - so watch this space!
Let's celebrate and highlight these brilliant creators all the year around, and not just one month.
~ Anne.

As you can tell by the full name – Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) is a United States creation.

As someone of Pāhekā (white settler) descent, living in an archipelago in the Pacific, I needed to do some research on this topic before putting my hand up to help collate this post.

I remember friends, in the US, posting around this time of year – about how the focus is on Asia (and a very narrow laser beam at that): where are the posts and resources highlighting the Pacific Islander aspect!?

Since 1 May 2023, I have seen posts and comments asking this exact question.

Storytime Solidarity is committed to being as representative as we can.

To know better. To do better.

To learn.

So, this post is part of my commitment to making sure ALL letters in the acronym are represented and celebrated this month – and every day.

~ Anne, Tāmaki Makarau Auckland; Aotearoa New Zealand.

What countries and cultures are included?

This is not an exhaustive list. Nor does it cover all aspects of a person’s identity. The below groups are taken from the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence:

Asian Americans:

The US Census bureau, defines this as people with origins in the indigenous / original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. However, that is NOT all the areas covered by the blanket term ‘Asian’.

Try to think more widely than the obvious groups. From my reading of social media, and recommended booklists, the majority of material focuses on those of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese heritage.

  • Central Asian: Afghan, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgians, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Mongolian, Tajik, Turkmen, Uzbek.
  • East Asian: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Okinawan, Taiwanese, Tibetan.
  • Southeast Asian: Bruneian, Burmese, Cambodian, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Laotian, Malaysian, Mien, Singaporean, Timorese, Thai, Vietnamese.
  • South Asian: Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Indian, Maldivians, Nepali, Pakistani, Sri Lankan.
  • West Asians: This is a contested term, and refers to the area more commonly known as the Middle East. I have not included these resources in this post.

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders:

  • (In the U.S. Jurisdictions & Territories) Carolinian, Chamorro, Chuukese, Fijian, Guamanian, Hawaiian, Kosraean, Marshallesse, Native Hawaiian, Niuean, Palauan, Pohnpeian, Papua New Guinean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan, Yapese.

Think of the wider groupings of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

For the purposes of this I have included some Indigenous Australian creators. Their culture deserves to be celebrated and acknowledged as the taonga (treasure) they are. They are descended from those who first left Africa up to 75,000 years ago.

Books by creators of AANHPI heritage: Part One:

Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street book cover.
Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street

Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street

Same, same but different book cover.
Same, Same But Different

Same, Same But Different

My footprints book cover.
My Footprints

My Footprints

Luli and the language of tea book cover.
Luli and the Language of Tea

Luli and the Language of Tea

The Bomb book cover.
The Bomb

The Bomb

Hurrah for yum cha book cover.
Hurrah for Yum Cha!

Hurrah for Yum Cha!

Tomatoes for Neela book cover.
Tomatoes for Neela

Tomatoes for Neela

Seven kites of Matariki book cover.
The Seven Kites of Matariki

The Seven Kites of Matariki

Stop that yawn book cover.
Stop That Yawn!

Stop That Yawn!

The Paper kingdom book cover.
The Paper Kingdom

The Paper Kingdom

Atua: Māori gods and heroes.
Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes

Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes

Cora cooks pancit book cover.
Cora Cooks Pancit

Cora Cooks Pancit

A Map into the world book cover.
A Map Into the World

A Map Into the World

Tane steals the show book cover.
Tane Steals the Show

Tane Steals the Show

The Wheels on the tuk-tuk book cover.
The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk

The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk

Mama's saris book cover.
Mama’s Saris

Mama’s Saris

The Promise of Puanga bookcover.
The Promise of Puanga: A Story for Matariki

The Promise of Puanga: A Story for Matariki

Pa and the dolphins book cover.
Pa and the Dolphins: A True Story of Pa, Rarotongan Hero and His Return Journey to Tahiti

Pa and the Dolphins: A True Story of Pa, Rarotongan Hero and His Return Journey to Tahiti

Not that pet book cover.
Not That Pet!

Not That Pet!

Today I'm strong book cover.
Today I’m Strong

Today I’m Strong

Real to me book cover.
Real to Me

Real to Me

Hundred years of happiness book cover.
Hundred Years of Happiness

Hundred Years of Happiness

Star Festival book cover.
The Star Festival

The Star Festival

Mumapalooza book cover.
Mumapalooza

Mumapalooza

Matariki book cover.
Matariki

Matariki

Cannonball book cover.
Cannonball

Cannonball

One wish book cover.
One Wish: Fatima Al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University

One Wish: Fatima Al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University

Gift for Ana book cover.
A Gift for Ana

A Gift for Ana

Danbi leads the school parade book cover.
Danbi Leads the School Parade

Danbi Leads the School Parade

Shadow book cover.
Shadow

Shadow

Matariki around the world book cover.
Matariki around the World: A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories

Matariki around the World: A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories

Daniel's Matariki feast book cover.
Daniel’s Matariki Feast

Daniel’s Matariki Feast

Beginnings and endings book cover.
Beginnings and Endings With Lifetimes In Between

Beginnings and Endings With Lifetimes In Between

Shubh Diwali book cover.
Shubh Diwali!

Shubh Diwali!

Tiger in my soup book cover.
Tiger in My Soup

Tiger in My Soup

Pono the garden guardian book cover.
Pono, the Garden Guardian

Pono, the Garden Guardian

Hot pot night book cover.
Hot Pot Night!

Hot Pot Night!

Interviews and posts to explore:

Books by creators of AANHPI heritage: Part Two:

Snow angel, sand angel book cover.
Snow Angel, Sand Angel

Snow Angel, Sand Angel

The Kuia and the spider book cover.
The Kuia and the Spider

The Kuia and the Spider

The Boy and the bindi book cover.
The Boy & The Bindi

The Boy & The Bindi

Koko and the coconut book cover.
Koko and the Coconut

Koko and the Coconut

Girl who heard the music book cover.
The Girl Who Heard the Music

The Girl Who Heard the Music

Tiger Brother book cover.
Tiger Brother: A Tale Told in English and Chinese

Tiger Brother: A Tale Told in English and Chinese

Greatest haka festival on earth book cover.
The Greatest Haka Festival On Earth

The Greatest Haka Festival On Earth

Ohana means family book cover.
‘Ohana Means Family

‘Ohana Means Family

Whiti te Rā book cover.
Whiti te Rā!

Whiti te Rā!

Hair Twins

Hair Twins

Fauja SIngh keeps going book cover.
Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon

Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon

Punky Aloha book cover.
Punky Aloha

Punky Aloha

Beautifully me book cover.
Beautifully Me

Beautifully Me

Wave book cover.
Wave

Wave

Te Wai Tama and the moon book cover.
Te Wai Tama and the Moon

Te Wai Tama and the Moon

Big bath house book cover.
The Big Bath House

The Big Bath House

Wildlife of Aotearoa book cover.
Wildlife of Aotearoa

Wildlife of Aotearoa

Mokopuna Matatini.
Mokopuna Matatini

Mokopuna Matatini

Haka by Patricia Grace.
Haka

Haka

When I found Grandma book cover.
When I Found Grandma

When I Found Grandma

Eight gifts of Te Wheke book cover.
The Eight Gifts of Te Wheke

The Eight Gifts of Te Wheke

Home is in between book cover.
Home is in Between

Home is in Between

Mohala Mai 'O'Hau book cover.
Mohala Mai’o Hau / How Hau Became ‘Hau’Ula

Mohala Mai’o Hau / How Hau Became ‘Hau’Ula

Lift book cover.
Lift

Lift

Fatima's great outdoors book cover.
Fatima’s Great Outdoors

Fatima’s Great Outdoors

The Ocean Calls book cover.
The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story

Ngā Taonga e Waru mā Te Wheke.
Ngā Taonga e Waru mā Te Wheke

Ngā Taonga e Waru mā Te Wheke

The Promise of Puanga bookcover.
The Promise of Puanga: A Story for Matariki

The Promise of Puanga: A Story for Matariki

I Lalai i Bilembaotuyan book cover.
I Lalai i Bilembaotuyan

I Lalai i Bilembaotuyan

My monster and me book cover.
My Monster and Me

My Monster and Me

White Sunday book cover.
White Sunday

White Sunday

Aloha is book cover.
Aloha is…

Aloha is…

I Am Kiki! I Love Me! book cover.
I Am Kiki! I Love Me!

I Am Kiki! I Love Me!

What I like most book cover.
What I Like Most

What I Like Most

Grace for president book cover.
Grace for President

Grace for President

Halu Bongo book cover.
Halu Bongo!: Be Quiet Bongo!

Halu Bongo!: Be Quiet Bongo!

Songs to share

Tēnā Koe

A greeting song in te reo Māori (the Māori language) and English.

I am adding more te reo Māori songs to our database, so keep an eye out!

Ube Song

This will become your latest earworm!

Please explore the Lyrics We Love section for more amazing Little Miss Ann songs to share!

The Ukulele Song

Music & words by Rose Oyamot Rodriguez of Ukulele Storytime.

We are adding more of Rose’s songs onto our database!

Savalivali

There are many versions around of this popular Samoan song, but I found this one was perfect for an audience of storytimers.

Ms. Christina shares some inspirational ukulele videos. May they encourage you to pick up this joyful instrument for storytime!

Honoka & Azita – “Bodysurfing.”

Jake Shimabukuro – “Passport.”

Feng E – covers “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams.

Books by creators of AANHPI heritage: Part Three:

I am the universe book cover.
I Am the Universe

I Am the Universe

The Little Book of Joy book cover.
The Little Book of Joy

The Little Book of Joy

I love me book cover.
I Love Me

I Love Me

The Many colors of Harpreet SIngh book cover.
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh

The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh

Mokopuna Matatini.
Mokopuna Matatini

Mokopuna Matatini

Thread of love book cover.
Thread of Love

Thread of Love

Little Nic's big world book cover.
Little Nic’s Big World

Little Nic’s Big World

Stolen stars of Matariki book cover.
The Stolen Stars of Matariki

The Stolen Stars of Matariki

Matariki around the world book cover.
Matariki around the World: A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories

Matariki around the World: A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories

That's not my name book cover.
That’s Not My Name

That’s Not My Name

Pan de Sal saves the day book cover.
Pan de Sal Saves the Day: A Filipino Children’s Story

Pan de Sal Saves the Day: A Filipino Children’s Story

Cook Island heroes book cover.
Cook Islands Heroes

Cook Islands Heroes

Depth of the lake and the height of the sky book cover.
The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky

The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky

Samoan Heroes book cover.
Samoan Heroes

Samoan Heroes

How to wear a sari book cover.
How to Wear a Sari

How to Wear a Sari

Grandpa's mixed up lu'au book cover.
Grandpa’s Mixed-Up Lu’au

Grandpa’s Mixed-Up Lu’au

The Library Bus

The Library Bus

Koro Pops book covers.
Koro / Pops

Koro / Pops

Kapaemahu book cover.
Kapaemahu

Kapaemahu

Greatest haka festival on earth book cover.
The Greatest Haka Festival On Earth

The Greatest Haka Festival On Earth

When Lola visits book cover.
When Lola Visits

When Lola Visits

Under my hijab book cover.
Under My Hijab

Under My Hijab

Weaving Earth and Sky book cover.
Weaving Earth and Sky: Myths & Legends of Aotearoa

Weaving Earth and Sky: Myths & Legends of Aotearoa

Gibberish book cover.
Gibberish

Gibberish

Ho'onani book cover.
Ho’onani: Hula Warrior

Ho’onani: Hula Warrior

Sam & Eva book cover.
Sam & Eva

Sam & Eva

Nanny Mihi and the rainbow
Nanny Mihi and the rainbow

Nanny Mihi and the rainbow

Honu Honu where are you book cover.
Honu, Honu, Where Are You?

Honu, Honu, Where Are You?

Peace bird book cover.
Peace Bird

Peace Bird

Bilal cooks daal book cover.
Bilal Cooks Daal

Bilal Cooks Daal

My tree book cover.
My Tree

My Tree

Hats off to you book cover.
Hats Off to You!

Hats Off to You!

Inventor book cover.
The inventor

The inventor

Literature organisations with global focus:

International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY): https://www.ibby.org/
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative https://glli-us.org/

Books by creators of AANHPI heritage: Part Four:

Nanny Mihi's Christmas book cover.
Nanny Mihi’s Christmas

Nanny Mihi’s Christmas

Nanny Mihi and the rainbow
Nanny Mihi and the rainbow

Nanny Mihi and the rainbow

Nanny Mihi's treasure hunt book cover.
Nanny Mihi’s Treasure Hunt

Nanny Mihi’s Treasure Hunt

The Donkey Man book cover.
The Donkey Man

The Donkey Man

Laxmis mooch book cover.
Laxmi’s Mooch

Laxmi’s Mooch

True story book cover.
True story

True story

We Are The Rock!

We Are The Rock!

Iti: The Hungry Fairy Tern book cover.
Iti: The Hungry Fairy Tern

Iti: The Hungry Fairy Tern

Tu Meke Tuatara book cover.
Tu Meke Tuatara

Tu Meke Tuatara

A Sky-Blue Bench

A Sky-Blue Bench

Five Wee Pūteketeke book cover.
Five Wee Pūteketeke

Five Wee Pūteketeke

Roly the Anzac donkey book cover.
Roly, the Anzac Donkey

Roly, the Anzac Donkey

A Pūkeko in a Ponga tree book cover.
A Pūkeko in a Ponga Tree

A Pūkeko in a Ponga Tree

Anahera book cover.
Anahera

Anahera

Anzac Day parade book cover.
Anzac Day Parade

Anzac Day Parade

Nature's Alphabet: A New Zealand Nature Trail book cover.
Nature’s Alphabet: A New Zealand Nature Trail

Nature’s Alphabet: A New Zealand Nature Trail

The beach they called Gallipoli book cover.
The beach they called Gallipoli

The beach they called Gallipoli

Blue blue Christmas book cover.
Blue, Blue Christmas

Blue, Blue Christmas

It's Diwali book cover.
It’s Diwali!

It’s Diwali!

Ruru book cover.
Ruru: Night Hunter

Ruru: Night Hunter

It’s My Egg (And You Can’t Have it) book cover.
It’s My Egg (And You Can’t Have it)

It’s My Egg (And You Can’t Have it)

The water bottle book cover.
The Water Bottle

The Water Bottle

Kororā and the Sushi Shop book cover.
Kororā and the Sushi Shop

Kororā and the Sushi Shop

My Paati's Saris book cover.
My Paati’s Saris

My Paati’s Saris

Pele and Poliahu book cover.
Pele and Poliahu: A Tale of Fire and Ice

Pele and Poliahu: A Tale of Fire and Ice

Grandpa Grumps book cover.
Grandpa Grumps

Grandpa Grumps

Mr Kiwi Has an Important Job book cover.
Mr Kiwi Has an Important Job

Mr Kiwi Has an Important Job

Tongan Heroes book cover.
Tongan Heroes

Tongan Heroes

One Weka Went Walking book cover.
One Weka Went Walking

One Weka Went Walking

Raj's Rule (for the Bathroom at School) book cover.
Raj’s Rule (for the Bathroom at School)

Raj’s Rule (for the Bathroom at School)

Hauraki Broo book cover.
Hauraki Broo

Hauraki Broo

Suki's kimono book cover.
Suki’s Kimono

Suki’s Kimono

The Proud Pūteketeke book cover.
The Proud Pūteketeke

The Proud Pūteketeke

Wētā: A Knight in Shining Armour book cover.
Wētā: A Knight in Shining Armour

Wētā: A Knight in Shining Armour

Critters of Aotearoa book cover.
Critters of Aotearoa: 50 Bizarre but Lovable Members of Our Wildlife Community

Critters of Aotearoa: 50 Bizarre but Lovable Members of Our Wildlife Community

Laxmi’s Mooch

Laxmi’s Mooch

The trolley book cover.
The Trolley

The Trolley

Hettie's Christmas gift book cover.
Hettie’s Christmas Gift

Hettie’s Christmas Gift

Christmas in summer book cover.
Christmas in Summer

Christmas in Summer

The eels of ANZAC Bridge book cover.
The Eels of ANZAC Bridge

The Eels of ANZAC Bridge

The Little Yellow Digger saves Christmas book cover.
The Little Yellow Digger Saves Christmas

The Little Yellow Digger Saves Christmas

Manu-rere-i-te-rangi book cover.
Manu-rere-i-te-rangi

Manu-rere-i-te-rangi

Amy Wu and the warm welcome book cover.
Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome

Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome

Tuatara: A Living Treasure
Tuatara: A Living Treasure

Tuatara: A Living Treasure

Weaving Earth and Sky book cover.
Weaving Earth and Sky: Myths & Legends of Aotearoa

Weaving Earth and Sky: Myths & Legends of Aotearoa

Atua: Māori gods and heroes.
Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes

Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes

Malia shares book cover.
Malia Shares

Malia Shares

Ginger and Chrysanthemum
Ginger and Chrysanthemum

Ginger and Chrysanthemum

The Butterfly Fluttered By book cover.
The Butterfly Fluttered By

The Butterfly Fluttered By

Nanny Mihi and the Bellbird book cover.
Nanny Mihi and the Bellbird

Nanny Mihi and the Bellbird

Cowshed Christmas book cover.
Cowshed Christmas

Cowshed Christmas

Most beautiful thing book cover.
The Most Beautiful Thing

The Most Beautiful Thing

Outside Inside book cover.
Outside, Inside

Outside, Inside

Grandad's medals book cover.
Grandad’s Medals

Grandad’s Medals

Wildlife of Aotearoa book cover.
Wildlife of Aotearoa

Wildlife of Aotearoa

You are life book cover.
You Are Life

You Are Life

Malala's magic pencil book cover.
Malala’s Magic Pencil

Malala’s Magic Pencil

Lest we forget by Feana Tu'akoi.
Lest We Forget

Lest We Forget

Pekapeka book cover.
Pekapeka: Secret Forest Bat

Pekapeka: Secret Forest Bat

Kaewa the Kororā book cover.
Kaewa the Kororā

Kaewa the Kororā

My grandad marches on Anzac Day book cover.
My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day

My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day

Sirocco: the Rock-star Kākāpō book cover.
Sirocco: the Rock-star Kākāpō

Sirocco: the Rock-star Kākāpō

Koro Wētā book cover.
Koro Wētā

Koro Wētā

Proudest blue book cover.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

Pavlova and presents book cover.
Pavlova & Presents

Pavlova & Presents

My Mother's sari book cover.
My Mother’s Sari

My Mother’s Sari

Ways to welcome book cover.
Ways to Welcome

Ways to Welcome

Haka by Patricia Grace.
Haka

Haka

Slinky Malinki's Christmas crackers book cover.
Slinky Malinki’s Christmas Crackers

Slinky Malinki’s Christmas Crackers

Kākāpō dance book cover.
Kākāpō Dance

Kākāpō Dance

Kākāpō Moon book cover.
Kākāpō Moon

Kākāpō Moon

Caesar the Anzac dog book cover.
Caesar the Anzac Dog

Caesar the Anzac Dog

Whetū the Little Blue Duck book cover.
Whetū the Little Blue Duck

Whetū the Little Blue Duck

Jim's Letters book cover.
Jim’s Letters

Jim’s Letters

Aotearoa: The New Zealand story book cover.
Aotearoa: the New Zealand story

Aotearoa: the New Zealand story

This is me book cover.
This is me!

This is me!

I am Lupe book cover.
I Am Lupe

I Am Lupe

House that Jack built book cover.
The House That Jack Built

The House That Jack Built

Naupaka book cover.
Naupaka

Naupaka

Tamanui: The Brave Kōkako of Taranaki book cover.
Tamanui: The Brave Kōkako of Taranaki

Tamanui: The Brave Kōkako of Taranaki

Watson the Detective Dog book cover.
Watson the Detective Dog

Watson the Detective Dog

Meet the ANZACs book cover.
Meet the ANZACs

Meet the ANZACs

Drawn together book cover.
Drawn Together

Drawn Together

One lonely kākāpō book cover.
One Lonely Kākāpō: A New Zealand Counting Book

One Lonely Kākāpō: A New Zealand Counting Book

I am a rainbow book cover.
I Am a Rainbow!

I Am a Rainbow!

Pūkeko Who-keko? book cover.
Pūkeko Who-keko?

Pūkeko Who-keko?

There are No Moa, e Hoa book cover.
There Are No Moa, e Hoa

There Are No Moa, e Hoa

Saving Wānanga book cover.
Saving Wānanga: The True Story of a Kea Rescue

Saving Wānanga: The True Story of a Kea Rescue

Rere Atu Taku Poi / Let My Poi Fly book cover.
Rere Atu Taku Poi!: Let My Poi Fly!

Rere Atu Taku Poi!: Let My Poi Fly!

I really want to see you, Grandma book cover.
I Really Want to See You, Grandma

I Really Want to See You, Grandma

Little Hector Meets Mini Māui book cover.
Little Hector Meets Mini Māui

Little Hector Meets Mini Māui

Te Ngahere i te Rā: The Forest by Day book cover.
Te Ngahere i te Rā: The Forest by Day

Te Ngahere i te Rā: The Forest by Day

Hot, hot roti for Dada-ji book cover.
Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji

Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji

Te Ngahere I te Pō: The Forest at Night book cover.
Te Ngahere i te Pō: The Forest at Night

Te Ngahere i te Pō: The Forest at Night

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