By Christina Fan

For generations, the heroes of children’s literature often looked the same, leaving millions of young readers searching for a reflection that wasn’t there. This Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a new wave of authors is rewriting the script.

A few years ago, when Ran Wei of Maplewood, New Jersey, went searching for children’s books to read to her daughter, Lily, she found almost no characters who looked like her family.

“I think we had come up with Cho Chang from Harry Potter, and I remember Claudia from the Babysitters Club,” Wei said. “For me, especially for my children who are multicultural, it’s just really important to see representation out there.”

That’s when Wei created Boba Bear — a bilingual book series about a cub of mixed heritage, honoring her own children’s multiracial identity.

“When I’m reading with them, I want them to feel the immense sense of pride, belonging, connection,” she said.

Filling a long-standing void

Wei is part of a surging movement of Asian American authors who are closing a gap in children’s publishing.

According to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, books featuring significant AAPI characters or written by AAPI authors and illustrators jumped from just 2% to 22% over the last 30 years.

To read the entire article: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/asian-american-authors-childrens-books-aapi-month/