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Asian and Pacific Islanders as Americans: The Legacy of AAPI Children's Literature
Well-written and illustrated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) literature for children can provide all readers with an authentic portrayal of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. When the writing and visuals are strong, AAPI children and youngsters have the opportunity to see role models from their communities in print, and nonAsians also have the chance to learn about the diversity and richness of AAPI cultures.
As an educator for almost forty years, children's literature about Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities has been difficult to find. However, authors such as Laurence Yep, Yoshiko Uchida, and Allen Say were early leaders in writing and/or illustrating books about the AAPI experience. Their protagonists were careful to provide a biculturaPviewpoint of AAPIs and include discussion of their lives in the United States. The characters were not portrayed as foreigners or outsiders - they were vested members and citizens of this country.
Many books, today and in the past, reinforce stereotypical images about members of the AAPI community from kung fu-kicking fighters to people who eat sushi and dress in kimonos. Frequently, books about AAPIs are often narrow in their presentation and more often reinforce cultural stereotypes rather than dispelling them. However, Yep, Uchida, and others provided strong protagonists; their characters were people who believed in themselves, contributed to the community, and worked hard to fight discrimination. They provided crucial literature for teachers and parents that described the experiences of early immigrants and their courage from Yep's novel of "Dragonwings" to Uchida's "Journey to Topaz."
Along with Yep, Uchida, Say, and Aruego, today there are new authors who also provide new insights into the AAPI experience. These authors...