May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which commemorates the culture, traditions, and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Originally this celebration was a weeklong event, following the passage of a joint Congressional Resolution in 1978. It expanded to a month-long event in 1992 after an official designation of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. Did you know the month of May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, during the beginning of the California Gold Rush? It also marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. While DCAEYC encourages all educators to incorporate Asian-Pacific history into their curriculum throughout the entire school year, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a great time to explore the rich history and contributions of Asian-Pacific Americans, as well as analyzing the bias and discrimination faced by them. Ready to start? Check out the resources below. Suggested Literature for Asian-Pacific Heritage Month:
Drawn Together by Minh Lê and Dan Santat- recommended for ages 3-5
Too Many Mangos by Tammy Paikai and Don Robinson - recommended for ages 3-6
What Will You Be, Sara Mee? by Kate Aver Avraham and Anne Sibley O'Brien - recommended for ages 4-8
Eyes that Kiss in the Corner by Joanna Ho and Dung Ho- recommended for ages 4-8
Suki's Kimono by Chieri Uegaki (Author), Stéphane Jorisch (Illustrator) - recommended for ages 4-8.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali - recommended for ages 4-8
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua - recommended for ages 4-8
Hot Hot Roti for Dada-Ji by Farhana Zia and Ken Min - recommended for ages 5-8
When Lola Speaks recommended for ages 5-12
Online Resources: