The Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us!
This month, we are highlighting activities and books in our collection by and about people in the Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. This includes people with connections to the cultures and ancestries of China, India, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Hawaii, and other Asian and Pacific Islands. Check out the books and activities below and join us at one of our programs, which feature information and stories in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.
READ: Amazing: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Inspire Us All by Maia and Alex Shibutani
Created to share with your child, these inspiring stories feature Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders whose triumphs have illuminated the world. Thirty-six people are included, from America's early years to today, showcasing a range of abilities, identities, and areas of origin from all across Asia and the Pacific Islands. This carefully selected list of figures includes Wong Kim Ark, Duke Kahanamoku, Tammy Duckworth, Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, David Chang, and Mindy Kaling, among many others.
Use your library card or apply for an ecard here to access our digital library!
Questions to think about while you read:
- The authors are a Japanese-American brother & sister team of Olympic ice dancers. They state, "we wished that we had a book like this on our shelf when we were kids." Why do you think they felt this way? How does having a book like this make a difference?
- Which person in the book do you connect with the most? What things do you share in common? How does he/she inspire you?
- What is something you learned that you didn't know before you read the book? How will you remember this?
PLAY: Tangrams
This game is inspired by the book Grandfather Tang's Story by Ann Tompert. Tangrams were created in China over 200 years ago. They are made up of seven two-dimensional puzzle pieces, called tans, that can be rearranged to make many things, such as different animals, everyday objects, and modes of transportation. Usually, a puzzle uses all seven tans.
Game preparation:
- Go here to print out a set of tans for each player, then cut them out.
- Visit here to select and print out (or view) some tangram puzzles (along with their solutions).
Game play:
Now the fun begins!
- Players sit at a table and each player has their own set of seven tans.
- Decide who will be the first to choose a puzzle from the selected printouts.* That person puts their choice in the center of the table so everyone can see it. *Note: if printing isn't an option, players can view the puzzles on a smartphone or tablet, just ensure everyone can see them clearly.
- Players use all of their tans to put together the puzzle. The first player to correctly assemble the puzzle wins! Double check their solution against the solution on the website. If they are correct, then that person chooses the next puzzle to work on.
To make this a little more challenging, players can decide on a time limit to finish the puzzles.
EXPLORE: Make a Hawaiian Paper Flower Lei
May 1 is Lei Dei in the Hawaiian islands! As an official holiday since 1929, people on each island make leis from flowers and materials unique to that island. Then, they gift one another their beautiful creations, which represent the native cultures and natural materials among the Hawaiian islands.
The tradition of flower leis (pronounced "lays") was brought to the Hawaiian islands by Polynesian explorers from Tahiti many centuries ago. Leis were made of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bone and teeth of various animals. In Hawaiian tradition, these garlands were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others. As tourism became popular in the islands, flower leis have come to be a symbol of Hawaiian culture and welcome—aloha!
Supplies:
- Colored paper OR white paper and coloring implements
- String or yarn
- Drinking straws
- Scissors
- Hole punch
Instructions:
- Draw outlines for flowers and leaves on colored paper OR use white paper and crayons, colored, pencils, markers, or paints to color your own flowers and leaves.
- Use scissors to cut out flowers and leaves.
- Use hole punch to punch a hole in the center of flowers and on the large end of leaves.
- Cut a long length of string or yarn for the lei; make a large knot at one end.
- Cut drinking straws to 1-inch lengths; you'll need as many pieces as you have flowers and leaves.
- String the pieces together in this order: straw, flower, leaf. Continue this pattern until the lei looks the way you want it to.
- When you've strung enough pieces, tie the two ends of string together with a knot.
- Now that you know how, make more leis to share with your family and friends!
From: FirstPalette.com
JOIN: Attend a program!
View all school age programs and events offered this month.
Registration is required for all programs; if space allows, walk-ins will be admitted. Use the link in the program information to register.
