Blog

We are thrilled to partner with the Oakland Public Education Fund for the annual Asian Pacific American Literature Read-In – a week of celebrating and highlighting Asian Pacific American authors and illustrators in Oakland schools.

During the week of April 29 – May 3 2019, schools across Oakland will be hosting volunteer read alouds, Family Literacy Nights, cross-grade buddy reading, and more activities as part of the Asian Pacific American Literature Read-In.

In a city as diverse as Oakland, we know how critical  it is to read and celebrate books by and about people of color. Books are both windows and mirrors for students, allowing them a way to experience new things, people, and places; as well as a way to see themselves and their communities reflected back to them.

On April 29, we’ll be spending the morning at Fruitvale Elementary School.  In anticipation of this week’s read-in, we’re sharing some of the books we’ll be reading in Kindergarten, first, and second-grade classes.

Check out our reading guides below for more information about each book and why we choose them for the Read-In!

• Tiger In My Soup by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
• Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
• Mahjong All Day Long by Ginnie Lo, illustrated by Beth Lo
• King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Christiane Krömer
• Going Home, Coming Home by Truong Tran, illustrated by Ann Phong
• Dear Juno by Soyung Pak, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
• Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
• Hush! A Thai Lullaby, by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade