Cover Story: Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Month in Children's Books
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. One great way to mark the month is by exploring the community through children’s books that celebrate the many AAPI cultures and heritages. Books by Asian and Asian American writers with relevant characters and diverse stories help readers to feel proud of who they are and create empathy and understanding in the broader children's reading community. An article by the NEA called "Fighting Asian Hate and Fostering Empathy with Children's Books" is a great way to learn more about the topic.
The 2023 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature winner is Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee. Yee’s heartfelt novel celebrates the stories of immigrants by blending past and present experiences as she shares the importance of family, friendship, history, and more. The book was also recognized as a Newbery Honor winner and a National Book Award finalist. Click the book cover image for a Kirkus review!
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Introducing Local Author Hanh Bui
and her Debut Book "The Yellow Áo Dài"
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At eight years old, Hanh Bui and her family left war-torn Vietnam for safety and a new beginning in America. Later, as a teacher in Northern Virginia, she decided to capture some of her childhood refugee experiences and Vietnamese heritage in children's books. Her first book debuted just last month!
Learn more about Hanh on our Celebrating Local Authors page by clicking here. Meet Hanh Bui in person for a Story Time event on May 27 at Bards Alley Bookshop in Vienna during which Hanh will read her book, answer questions, and hold a book give-away!
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In Hanh Bui's picture book, Naliah is excited to perform a traditional Vietnamese fan dance at her school’s International Day. She connects to her Vietnamese heritage when she accidentally rips her late grandmother's áo dài, a traditional dress of Vietnam worn on special occasions.
"Bui weaves a tender tale of a family honoring memories and heirlooms but also creating new traditions. (Minnie) Phan’s buoyant and beautiful illustrations convey the protagonist’s emotions. ... A charming contemporary celebration of family and heritage." -- Kirkus Reviews
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For a Listing of AAPI Month Book Resources...
...check out the RIF of NOVA Resource Page for connections to children's books for and about Asian Americans. Find that by clicking here.
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Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences in Fairfax County held its RIF of NOVA book distribution -- Books are in Bloom -- for students in grades three through six. Said librarian and NOVA RIF liaison Bethany Radcliffe, "It was so much fun! The students were so excited to take home their new books!" (Music to our ears!)
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Arlington's Even Start Family Literacy Program held a spring RIF of NOVA book distribution with the theme Bloom with Books. Mothers and their preschool children participated in a day filled with fun activities that included making a flower craft. A huge highlight of the festivities was Clifford! Thanks to Sara Mulrooney, program director and RIF of NOVA liaison, and her wonderful staff for planning and running a fun spring celebration of books and reading! Photos from other NOVA RIF distributions can be found by clicking here. |
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Books in the Community
Book Donations, Drives, and More!
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We started our like-new, gently used book program during the pandemic because so many children had no access to books. The program has been wildly successful, drawing in more than 25,000 books to date.
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If you are interested in donating new or very gently used children's books or in setting up a book drive to do so, we have set up some new guidelines to make the process easier. Find that info on our Give Books website page. Click here to get there!
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Above, Young Ambassador McKenzie Watt with her latest collection of donated books bound for NOVA RIF kids! |
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As part of his service hours for the Langley H.S. National Honor Society, eleventh grader Jacob Thomas wanted to do something big. As an avid reader, storyteller, and writer, he decided a book drive would be a great mission. He spread the word and received gently used and new book donations from the local area and from family and friends far and wide, in the process collecting more than 800 books! |
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And Where are the Book Donations Going?
Back to Kids in the Community!
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NOVA RIF provided over 300 books for children who attended the Kids & Family Expo at the David R. Pinn Community Center in Fairfax. The Lorton Volunteer Fire Department provided some outside excitement, while inside, children could pick up balloon creations, listen to several authors reading, and choose a few NOVA RIF books of their very own! |
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Fairfax County's Woodrow Wilson Library hosted Culmore Community Day, complete with music, dancing, access to community resources, and BOOKS for children! On a beautiful Saturday, kids were able to choose books of their very own, with all books provided from the NOVA RIF gently used book program. Clifford the Big Red Dog added to the fun! |
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for 2023-2024 Academic Year
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There are many ways to volunteer your time and efforts to help provide books for NOVA children and to encourage them to read! One way is via our Young Ambassador Volunteer Program. Young people in middle and high school are eligible to apply...and the application process is now open for our 2023-2024 academic year! Click here for the application page.
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Congratulations to two graduating Young Ambassador high school seniors, Alex Pomper (shown with a trunk full of books) and Addie Clift. Alex provides books to the Arlington Food Assistance Center via his own book website: giveakidabook.org, with many books provided by NOVA RIF. Addie ran a book drive during the pandemic -- c ollecting over 1,600 gently used books for NOVA RIF to distribute to NOVA kids. All the best to these two dedicated and caring young people!
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We count on YOU for all our funding! So please give generously!
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*Send a check to our mailbox:
RIF of NOVA
P. O. Box 7012
Arlington, VA 22207-0012
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Thank you for any donation -- no matter how big or small! And thank you for being part of the RIF of NOVA community!
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Please share the RAP! Forward our newsletter to your friends and anyone interested in providing books to children who need them!
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