Amazing

February 1, 2023
An illustrated compendium of extraordinary Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The book pairs stylized portraits of each of the individuals featured with short paragraphs about their lives. Ranging from relatively lesser-known historical figures like Wong Kim Ark, a Chinese immigrant to the United States whose fight for citizenship set a precedent for over 100 years of future immigration law, and moving on to modern celebrities like wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and actor, writer, and producer Mindy Kaling, the collection includes a variety of Asian American and Pacific Islanders who influenced American history, politics, music, sports, and popular culture. This variety is not just limited to career choices; the book also features disabled individuals like activist Alice Wong and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, biracial individuals like Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris, and individuals from ethnic groups that are often overlooked in American history, including Bangladeshis, Thailanders, Filipinos, Marshall Islanders, and Native Hawaiians. (The text does not specify whether anyone featured identifies as queer or trans.) Throughout, the prose is clear, concise, and well crafted, incorporating details that will enthrall young readers. Since there is no introduction providing context, the jump right into descriptions feels slightly abrupt. Overall, though, the book is a thoughtful and comprehensive survey of the ways in which Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have shaped, and will continue to shape, the United States. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A well-curated collection of Asian American and Pacific Islander heroes. (Picture-book collective biography. 6-10)

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May 15, 2023
Siblings and Olympic medalists the Shibutanis team up with Liu to highlight 36 notable Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders via paragraph-length profiles that present the figures alongside straightforward portraits by Jaleel. Loosely organized pages frequently pair individuals by theme, as on a spread featuring film stars Anna May Wong and Bruce Lee. Activists, artists, athletes, politicians, and writers appear among the figures, many of whom are of frequently under-represented heritages, including Hmong, Native Hawaiian, Marshallese, and Samoan backgrounds. Bookmarked by purpose-driven stories of advocacy—Wong Kim Ark’s fight to ensure that “any child born in the United States is a citizen, no matter their race” and Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner’s climate change performance art, which seeks to save the planet—it’s a lightly informative book that centers myriad AAPI contributions. Creator notes conclude. Ages 4–8.

September 22, 2023

Gr 2-5-In this uplifting collected biography, the young Olympic medalists known as the ShibSibs introduce readers to influential Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Paragraph-length profiles champion the achievements of household names such as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as well as those who may be new to young readers, e.g., Olympic swimmer Sammy Lee and White House chef Cristeta Comerford. This slim volume presents trailblazers from the late 1800s through to present day, and includes a thoughtful balance of genders, abilities, areas of achievement, and ethnic backgrounds. Though each individual deserves more comprehensive coverage, the compelling bite-size biographies presented here will surely invite discussion and further reading. Eye-catching, colorful illustrations accompany each brief biography, and the text is straightforward and inviting. VERDICT A solid addition to children's biography collections, this book is an inspiring choice to highlight during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and beyond.-Allison Tran

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