20 Picture Books with Asian Boy Main Characters (That Show Everyday Life)
When I first started looking for picture books with Asian boy main characters to read to my son, I was frustrated at how difficult they were to find, and if I did find some, most were about Lunar New Year, dragons, or folktales. Beautiful, yes, but I wanted to see Asian male protagonists in everyday stories, too.
Books where they’re curious, funny, and brave. Books where they go on hikes, cook with family, or learn something about themselves along the way.
If you’re building a diverse home or classroom library, here are 20 picture books that feature Asian and mixed-race boys in relatable, real-world moments. Perfect for ages 3–8.
1. Let’s Go on a Plane Ride by Katrina Liu
Miles, a Chinese American boy, experiences his first airplane trip with his family—from check-in to takeoff. This cheerful story introduces travel routines and kindness toward others. It's also available in bilingual editions in Traditional or Simplified Chinese.
Themes: Travel, curiosity, social skills
Ages: 3–6
2. Thank You, Mama by Linda Meeker
Featuring Vietnamese American boy Grey, this story follows him as he learns gratitude while trying new foods from vegetables to sushi. Inspired by the viral “Grey and Mama” videos, it celebrates family mealtimes and kindness.
Themes: Family, manners, gratitude
Ages: 2–6
3. A Gift for Popo by Katrina Liu
A Chinese American boy named Miles searches for the perfect gift for his grandmother, Popo. Along the way, he learns that love and thoughtfulness mean more than anything bought in a store. It's also available in bilingual editions in Traditional, Simplified Chinese, and Cantonese.
Themes: Family, cultural pride, intergenerational love
Ages: 3–7
4. Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja
Hiro, a Japanese boy, dreams of cooking ramen just like his dad. When things don’t go perfectly, he learns that creativity and family connection matter most.
Themes: Food, perseverance, family traditions
Ages: 4–8
5. A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey
Henry, an East Asian boy on the autism spectrum, tries to make a friend in his classroom. The story beautifully shows patience, empathy, and understanding through his quiet determination.
Themes: Friendship, inclusion, neurodiversity
Ages: 4–8
6. Let’s Go on a Hike by Katrina Liu
Featuring a mixed-race, half-Asian boy and his family, this story turns a reluctant hiker into an explorer who discovers the joy of nature through patience and curiosity. It's also available in bilingual editions in Traditional, Simplified Chinese, and Cantonese.
Themes: Outdoor adventure, mindfulness, family bonding
Ages: 4–8
7. Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
A Chinese American boy learns to love his reflection after noticing his eyes look different from his classmates’. Through the wisdom of his father and grandfather, he discovers beauty in heritage and belonging.
Themes: Identity, self-acceptance, pride
Ages: 4–8
8. Naptime Powers by Katrina Liu
Miles, a Chinese American boy, learns that naps aren’t boring—they’re how you recharge, grow, and dream. His big sister helps him turn rest into a kind of superpower. It's also available in bilingual editions in Traditional, Simplified Chinese, and Cantonese.
Themes: Rest, family, self-care
Ages: 3–6
9. The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee
Daniel, a Korean American boy, spends the night with his parents at their janitorial job, transforming their work into a magical “paper kingdom.” A heartfelt look at imagination, love, and working families.
Themes: Family, imagination, gratitude
Ages: 4–8
10. Built to Last by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
A Vietnamese American boy and his father build, rebuild, and create together in this story that celebrates love, resilience, and the joy of making things as a team.
Themes: Father-son bond, creativity, imagination
Ages: 3–8
11. Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival
Ravi, a South Asian (likely Indian-heritage) boy, turns into a tiger when his anger gets too big. With time, he learns to calm down and express his feelings with care.
Themes: Emotional regulation, empathy, growth
Ages: 3–7
12. Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen
Joe, a Japanese American boy, loves practicing sumo with his friends until his sister wants to join. He learns that respect and flexibility are part of true strength.
Themes: Inclusion, sibling love, cultural pride
Ages: 4–8
13. The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran
Zimdalamashkermishkada, a South Asian boy, feels self-conscious about his long name at a new school. With a friend’s encouragement, he learns to embrace it proudly.
Themes: Identity, belonging, self-confidence
Ages: 4–8
14. Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
A South Asian boy learns to cope with his grandfather’s passing through art and connection. It’s a touching story about creativity, loss, and the bonds that last forever.
Themes: Grief, healing, legacy
Ages: 5–8
15. Gibberish by Young Vo
Dat, a Vietnamese immigrant boy, starts school in a new country where he doesn’t understand the language. As he makes a friend, the illustrations transform from gray to color—a powerful metaphor for belonging.
Themes: Immigration, friendship, language learning
Ages: 5–8
16. Boys Don’t Fry by Kimberly Lee
Jin, a Malaysian Chinese boy, helps his family cook for a big celebration. When he’s told “boys don’t fry,” Jin is determined to prove that love (and cooking!) belong to everyone.
Themes: Family, food, gender roles, cultural pride
Ages: 4–8
17. Grandpa Across the Ocean by Hyewon Yum
A Korean American boy visits his grandfather in Korea and discovers that even though they don’t share a language, love and laughter connect them. A warm, funny, and heartfelt story about bridging generations and cultures.
Themes: Family, intergenerational connection, cultural pride
Ages: 4–8
18. My Tree by Hope Lim
A Korean American boy finds comfort in a tree that reminds him of the persimmon tree from his old home. This gentle, poetic story explores memory, belonging, and finding connection in new places.
Themes: Moving, belonging, nature
Ages: 4–8
19. A Different Pond by Bao Phi
A Vietnamese American boy goes fishing with his father before dawn—not for fun, but to help feed their family. Through this quiet morning ritual, he learns about love, sacrifice, and resilience within the immigrant experience.
Themes: Family, hard work, immigrant experience
Ages: 5–9
20. My First Day by Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien
A Vietnamese boy paddles his boat to school alone for the first time. Facing fog, waves, and wonder, he discovers bravery and independence in this breathtaking story about courage and growth.
Themes: Bravery, independence, nature
Ages: 4–8
❤️ Why These Stories Matter
Representation doesn’t always have to roar; it can show up in the everyday moments that make childhood magical. These books let Asian and mixed-race boys see themselves as explorers, helpers, dreamers, and creators while reminding all kids that our differences are something to celebrate.
For parents and educators, this list is a simple way to bring more diversity into storytime, no special occasion required.
✨ Explore more bilingual and multicultural stories at Lychee Press