A is for Asian American: An Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alphabet

by Virginia Loh-Hagan, Tracy Nishimura Bishop (Illustrator)

The fabric of America is made up of countless threads weaving together different backgrounds and cultures. Using poetry and expository text, A is for Asian American: An Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alphabet celebrates the cultures of and contributions from Asian Americans throughout our country's history. Letter topics include traditions in food, family, and social celebrations, as well as key moments in history and milestone achievements. A is for Asian American illuminates the amazing and ongoing role the Asian American community has played in the shaping of America. Front and back matter provides additional information, including a glossary. The fabric of America is made up of countless threads weaving together different backgrounds and cultures. Using poetry and expository text, A is for Asian American: An Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alphabet celebrates the cultures of and contributions from Asian Americans throughout our country's history. Letter topics include traditions in food, family, and social celebrations, as well as key moments in history and milestone achievements. Front and back matter provides additional information, including a glossary. Glossary of key words Informative sidebars

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Childrens

44 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2022

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

From L is for Lunar New Year to R is for Remembrance Day, from Q is for Queen Lili'uokalani to Z is for Zodiac,
Explore this juvenilized Alphabet, showcasing the social, familial, careers, and history of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage!

Some of the letters feel a bit far-fetched (X being a Martial Arts move for instance), and while it sounds like its just a kids' alphabet book, it is definitely more catered for an older reading age.
While each page may be one the letters, the historical relevance is explained in each in a lengthy textual sidebar.
The facts and people of these sidebars were more interesting and engaging than the alphabet or illustrations of the book.
Glad the book exists, but I feel like this was a "could have been two very different books" situation;

[Janki Mody]

Misspelled names!!!!! What?

At least three of the featured people in this book have their names misspelled. Are you kidding?

Sunisa Lee (misspelled as Suinsa)
Ronald Takaki (Takai)
Maxine Hong Kingston (Kingsont)

Not cool.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ABC picture book joins others by this publisher that focus on various ethnic or cultural groups. While it will surely inspire pride and broaden awareness of the many contributions by Asian Americans. The main text uses rhyming lines, some of which move fluidly and others which seem a bit forced, to identify terms associated with Asian Americans as well as expository text that provides additional information. The colorful artwork features various group scenes and individuals, adding visual appeal to each page. While I appreciate the author's work here, I agree with another reviewer that the book's subtitle is rather misleading since the focus here is on Chinese and Japanese Americans more than those from Southeast Asia or the Pacific Islands or Philippines. Maybe there will be a follow-up that is more inclusive in honoring them as well. Having recently taught a course that used the book From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry about the death of Vincent Chin, which led to the modern Asian-American civil rights movement, I was surprised to see no mention of that event or that movement even in the timeline of milestone events. I did appreciation the inclusion of events in which various Asian-American groups were treated unfairly despite their contributions and loyalty to their new country as well as the lighter points the author stresses. This is a good introduction to some elements of Asian-American culture.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the alphabet and gives facts about the history of Asian heritage in the United States. It was really interesting to learn how Americans have migrated from all over the world, bringing their own unique traditions.

Each page has a short rhyme that tells us something about Asian heritage, and then a much longer section with several paragraphs going more in-depth to explain the history, the origins of the tradition, or the people involved. We learn about Lunar New Year, bubble tea, anime, K-pop, etiquette, zodiac signs, and Asian cuisine. We learn about the first Asian American in outer space, the winners of the National Spelling Bee, Olympic athletes, writers, politicians, and martial artists like Bruce Lee.

I loved the beautiful illustrations in this book! The artwork is really colorful and has delicate lines.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Gayatri Sethi Desi Book Aunty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched nonfiction picture book resource for teaching & learning about the expansiveness of what it means to be Asian American. The illustrations are dynamic & lively.

The back matter is particularly rich for lesson planning ideas & activities.
Recommend adding it to our preschool libraries.

Since no one book can definitively teach about the nuances & multiplicities of Asian America, this book would need to be partnered with others. There are significant gaps in information/ representation:
*Note that this book leans heavily into East Asian examples & illustrations. Muslim & Sikh communities are largely left out of this book.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of Alphabet books tackle broad topics and this one is no different. We learn bits and pieces of different Asian cultures, and some history. I think it would be a great addition to the elementary library collection. Asia is a large swath of countries and cultures and all are not represented here. I loved the inclusion of K-culture and K-pop, but the illustration of seven members could only be BTS and they seemed white-washed and Americanized.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rhyming is frequently forced and uneven, but the illustrations are nice and the information panels pack in a lot of great information.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much wonderful and interesting information, but the rhyme felt off and very forced. Still, an interesting read which features many different Asian cultures.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunisa Lee is spelled wrong in the illustration. APIDA subtitle but imbalanced representation.

[Shankar B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked when they told me about Kamala Harris but some things I didn’t understand.

[DeAja]

Read for class

[Sara N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my daughter's second favorite book. She likes the pictures, especially the zodiac animals, and I like the side paragraphs with the history blurbs. My only thing is that I wish there was a board book version of this.