With Filipino American History Month coming up in October, we thought we’d share some of our favorite Filipino books for kids including picture books, chapter books and middle grade books that celebrate Filipino culture, heritage and history. Cover images and synopses provided courtesy of publishers, with exceptions noted.
Click here for a list of 25+ Filipino American and Filipino children’s books.
For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool, of picking golden limes off the trees. But summer doesn’t start until her lola—her grandmother from the Philippines—comes for her annual visit. Summer is special. For her lola fills the house with the aroma of mango jam, funny stories of baking mishaps, and her quiet sweet singing in Tagalog. And in turn, her granddaughter brings Lola to the beach, to view fireworks at the park, and to catch fish at their lake. When Lola comes, the whole family gathers to cook and eat and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, her lola must return home—but not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer.
In an evocative tale brimming with the scents, tastes, and traditions that define summer for one young girl, debut author Michelle Sterling and illustrator Aaron Asis come together to celebrate the gentle bonds of familial love that span oceans and generations. Photo by Michelle Sterling.
When Lola Visits was written by Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Aaron Asis and published by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins. Watch a video book trailer for When Lola Visits.
A young girl in the Philippines uses music to connect with her grandmother as her memory fades in this warm and moving picture book perfect for fans of Pixar’s Coco. There is always singing in Lola’s house. Sammy Davis Jr. in the morning, Dean Martin in the afternoon, and all throughout the evening, old Tagalog love songs from Nora Aunor, Basil Valdez, and more. Lola always says: “If you want to hold on, you gotta sing your songs.” Her granddaughter tucks these sounds and Lola’s wisdom deep within her heart. And when Lola starts slipping into silence and stillness, she helps Lola hold on, piece by piece, with the joy and music that Lola taught her. Watch and learn about the story behind the story here.
Holding On was written by Sophia N. Lee, illustrated by Isabel Roxas and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Photo by Michelle Sterling.
A Chavacano Tale from southern Mindanao.
Amina was born to the Yakan tribe in Basilan, whose family relocated to Zamboanga city because of the war. Missing her hometown, she was encouraged to weave her story as her ancestors did. Amina goes out into the city to find inspiration and discovers the diversity and colors of her new home.
Amina and the City of Flowers was written by Christina Newhard, illustrated by Robbie Bautista and published by Sari-Sari Storybooks. Photo by Michelle Sterling.
Buko is an interactive children’s book that highlights the Filipino culture through food! The book discovers the many different ways to use the Buko…the Filipino coconut.
Included are:
– Buko Book
– Buko reusable stickers to use inside the book
– Erasable marker to use for activities in the book
Buko was written by Jennifer Estacio and illustrated by Ethel Martinez. It can be ordered on the Flipp Family website.
Abakada: The Original Filipino Alphabet + Animals introduces children to animals in Tagalog/Filipino using the original Filipino alphabet.
Abakada: The Original Filipino Alphabet + Animals was written by Jocelyn Francisco and illustrated by Jamie Lee Ortiz. Check out Jocelyn Francisco’s other early concept books: Little Yellow Jeepney, Oh My Kulay: Colors, Fruits, and Veggies in Filipino, Pamilya Ko, Isa, Dalawa, Tatlo…Ito Ay Obalo!, Balikbayan Box: Journey to the Philippines, Hay Bahay and The Bitter Melon.
Cora and Mama work together to cook up pancit for the family in this celebration of Filipino heritage and foods. Cora loves being in the kitchen, but she always gets stuck doing the kid jobs like licking the spoon. One day, however, when her older sisters and brother head out, Cora finally gets the chance to be Mama's assistant chef. And of all the delicious Filipino dishes that dance through Cora's head, she and Mama decide to make pancit, her favorite noodle dish.
With Mama's help, Cora does the grown-up jobs like shredding the chicken and soaking the noodles (perhaps Mama won't notice if she takes a nibble of chicken or sloshes a little water on the floor). Cora even gets to stir the noodles in the pot-carefully-- while Mama supervises. When dinner is finally served, her siblings find out that Cora did all their grown-up tasks, and Cora waits anxiously to see what everyone thinks of her cooking. Dorina Lazo Gilmore's text delightfully captures the warmth between mother and daughter as they share a piece of their Filipino heritage. With bright and charming illustrations by Kristi Valiant, Cora's family comes alive as Cora herself becomes the family's newest little chef.
Cora Cooks Pancit was written by Dorina Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant and published by Lee & Low Books.
Jack & Agyu tells the story of an imaginative and adventurous young boy, Jack, who longs to find himself in the books that he reads. Crushed when he realizes he is different looking from all his favorite book characters, he goes off to right what he feels is a wrong. His path leads him to trouble but, also, to healing and empowerment as he reconnects with the stories of his ancestors from the Philippines.
Vibrantly illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao with characters based on Filipino mythology- the sirena (mermaid), syokoy (mermen), and diwata (fairies), to name a few- Jack & Agyu is sure to draw kids into an adventure that is exciting as much as it is self-affirming!
Jack & Agyu is written in English and includes a translation in Binukid, one of the indigenous languages in Bukidnon, a region in the south of the Philippines. The book also provides translations into Filipino, the national language of the Philippines, and Bisaya-Cebuano, one of the major languages in the Philippines. Additionally, the book features the Baybayin script, a Tagalog based ancient script.
Jack & Agyu was written by Justine Villanueva, illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao and published by Sagawa River Press.
This book, written by historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon with writer Gayle Romasanta, richly illustrated by Andre Sibayan, tells the story of Larry Itliong's lifelong fight for a farmworkers union, and the birth of one of the most significant American social movements of all time, the farmworker's struggle, and its most enduring union, the United Farm Workers. A percentage of proceeds from this book will be donated to the nonprofit organizations Little Manila Rising and the Filipino American National Historical Society.
Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong was written by Dr. Dawn B. Mabalon with Gayle Romasanta, illustrated by Andre Sibayan and published by Bridge + Delta. Photo by Michelle Sterling.
Part of the best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, Corazon Aquino tells the inspiring story of the first female president of the Philippines.
Little Cory was a shy, studious child with a great sense of justice. As a young woman and wife, she and her family felt compelled to speak out against the unjust leader who was ruining their country. Showing bravery, reliability and honesty, she led the revolution that ended the dictator's rule and went on to become the president of the Philippines.
The easy to understand and accessible text brings little Cory's story to life, from her earliest years to her passionate fight through repression and personal loss to bring democracy to the Philippines.cora
Corazon Aquino (Little People, Big Dreams) was written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu and published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books. Photo by Michelle Sterling.
All About the Philippines takes you on an incredible journey across the colorful island nation of the Philippines with Mary, Jaime, and Ari--three Filipino cousins who look entirely different and yet are the best of friends. You'll visit their homes, their schools, their families, their favorite places, and much more. They'll show you how kids in different parts of the Philippines come from many different ethnic groups and have very various cultures--each with separate traditions, languages, and beliefs--and yet, they are all 100% Filipino!
This children's book, aimed at kids ages 8 to 12, brings them on an exciting trip through some of the most fascinating islands on earth.
Join Mary, Jaime and Ari to see the how earthquakes, typhoons and other natural events can be scary and yet also make the islands beautiful and full of life.
Check out Filipino games, and make a sipa--the Philippines's version of a hacky-sack.
Experience the festivals and foods of different cultures found in the Philippines, and try a few easy recipes.
Make a parol--a Filipino holiday decoration that you can enjoy all year long.
Learn about the conquistadors and traders who came to these islands many centuries ago.
Learn how peoples who speak very different languages can communicate when they meet.
And a lot more!
All About the Philippines: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids was written by Gidget Roceles Jimenez, illustrated by Corazon Dandan-Albano and published by Tuttle Publishing.
Introducing eight-year-old Marisol Rainey—an irresistible new character from Newbery Medalist and New York Times–bestselling Erin Entrada Kelly! Maybe, Maybe Marisol Rainey is an illustrated novel about summer, friendship, and overcoming fears, told with warm humor and undeniable appeal.
Marisol Rainey’s mother was born in the Philippines. Marisol’s father works and lives part-time on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. And Marisol, who has a big imagination and likes to name inanimate objects, has a tree in her backyard named Peppina . . . but she’s way too scared to climb it. This all makes Marisol the only girl in her small Louisiana town with a mother who was born elsewhere and a father who lives elsewhere (most of the time)—and the only girl who’s fearful of adventure and fun.
Will Marisol be able to salvage her summer and have fun with Jada, her best friend? Maybe. Will Marisol figure out how to get annoying Evie Smythe to leave her alone? Maybe. Will Marisol ever get to spend enough real time with her father? Maybe. Will Marisol find the courage to climb Peppina? Maybe.
Told in short chapters, with illustrations by the author on almost every page, Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey is a must-have for early elementary grade readers. Erin Entrada Kelly celebrates the small but mighty Marisol, the joys of friendship, and the triumph of overcoming your fears, in this effervescent novel for readers of Kevin Henkes, Meg Medina, Andrew Clements, Judy Blume, and Kate DiCamillo.
Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey was written and illustrated by Erin Entrada Kelly and published by Greenwillow Books. Visit Erin’s website to check out the many other books she’s written for children.
A warm, tender story about a creative girl who hopes that by winning a filmmaking contest, she'll convince her great-grandfather not to move back home to the Philippines. For fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Kelly Yang.
Kaia and her family live near the beach in California, where the fun of moviemaking is all around them. Kaia loves playing with makeup and creating special effects, turning her friends into merfolk and other magical creatures.
This summer, Kaia and her friends are part of a creative arts camp, where they're working on a short movie to enter in a contest. The movie is inspired by the Filipino folktales that her beloved Tatang, her great-grandfather, tells. Tatang lives with her family and is like the sparkle of her special-effects makeup. When Tatang decides that it is time to return to his homeland in the Philippines, Kaia will do anything to convince him not to go.
Any Day with You was written by Mae Respicio and published by Wendy Lamb Books. Photo by Michelle Sterling.
Don’t miss Mae’s other middle grade books — How to Win a Slime War and The House That Lou Built. Her next book, Isabel in Bloom, is due out in 2023.
In this thrilling and hilarious middle grade adventure, a young Filipino American boy must team up with his ancestor to break the curse that’s haunted their family for generations . . . or be trapped in an amulet forever.
Freddie Ruiz is cursed.
While other people may have bad days, Freddie and his family have had bad generations: from bird poop splatting on him during picture day to the many tumbles and trips that earned him the nickname Faceplant Freddie. He’s learned to lie low and keep himself out of trouble—which means no fun, no friends, and definitely no risks. But when he discovers a family heirloom, a century-old amulet from the Philippines that’s supposed to bring good fortune, Freddie thinks his luck is finally about to change.
He couldn’t be more wrong. Because the spirit of Freddie’s cranky great-granduncle Ramon is trapped in the heirloom, and the evil spirits responsible for his death have returned with a vengeance. Now Freddie and his cousin, Sharkey, have thirteen days to break the curse, or Freddie will join Ramon for an untimely afterlife in the amulet.
Freddie vs. the Family Curse was written by Tracy Badua and published by Clarion Books.
After a family tragedy results in the loss of both father and home, twelve-year-old Nora lives with her mother in Manila’s North Cemetery, which is the largest shantytown of its kind in the Philippines.
When her mother disappears mysteriously one day, Nora is left alone. With help from her best friend Jojo and the support of his kindhearted grandmother, Nora embarks on a journey riddled with danger in order to find her mom. Along the way she also rediscovers the compassion of the human spirit, the resilience of her community, and everlasting hope in the most unexpected places.
Everlasting Nora was written by Marie Miranda Cruz and published by Starscape.
Andi is short. And she has lots of wishes. She wishes she could play on the school basketball team, she wishes for her own bedroom, but most of all she wishes that her long-lost half-brother, Bernardo, could come and live in London where he belongs.
Then Andi’s biggest wish comes true and she’s minutes away from becoming someone’s little sister. As she waits anxiously for Bernardo to arrive from the Philippines, she hopes he’ll turn out to be tall and just as crazy as she is about basketball. When he finally arrives, he’s tall all right. Eight feet tall, in fact—plagued by condition called Gigantism and troubled by secrets that he believes led to his phenomenal growth.
In a novel packed with quirkiness and humor, Gourlay explores a touching sibling relationship and the clash of two very different cultures.
Tall Story was written by Candy Gourlay. The US paperback edition was published by Yearling and the UK paperback edition was published by Tamarind Books.
Additional anthologies that highlight Filipino American historical figures are:
Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country
A Is for Asian American: An Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alphabet