The world is full of dance and there are hundreds of kinds of dances. For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I thought I’d feature some AAPI books about dance! AAPIHM Month is celebrated in May so this post is a little early so you have time to plan! I’m so excited about a few of these because they showcase cultures that are more difficult to find books for! In addition to the books, make sure you check out all the linked videos of the dances in action! So here are thirteen Asian and Pacific Islander books about dance.
Full disclosure: Some affiliate links, won’t change your price and I get a small kickback. No pressure!
Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance
Author: Kat Zhang (Author),
Illustrator: Charlene Chua
ISBN: 978-1665916721
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNpxUF4VPs
Ho’onani: Hula Warrior
Author: Heather Gale
Illustrator: Mika Song
ISBN: 978-0735264496
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEC55oSulaE
Hula Is More than a Dance:—It’s the ‘Heartbeat’ of the Hawaiian People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLjwluzYtM4
Tala Learns to Siva
Author: Kealani Netane
Illustrator: Dung Ho
ISBN: 978-1338859317
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auWyoBHGQyo
Dancing the Tinikling
Author: Bobbie Peyton
Illustrator: Diobelle Cerna
ISBN: 978-1534111967
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kckR6wf5xe8
Keep Dancing (Kids’ Sports Stories)
Author: Cristina Oxtra
Illustrator: Seb Burnett
ISBN: 978-1515883531
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvmEPahwEg
Another book featuring Tinikling: Kailani’s Gift
The Mystery of the Painted Fan
Author: Linda Trinh
Illustrator: Clayton Nguyen
ISBN: 978-1773217727
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH9fFzDRKww
The Yellow Áo Dài
Author: Hanh Bui
Illustrator: Minnie Phan
ISBN: 978-1250842060
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofliFqi5oNc
Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes
Author: Mahak Jain
Illustrator: Anu Chouhan
ISBN: 978-1773216157
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgiLOzFQh14
Indian Dance Show
Author: Radhika Sen
Illustrator: Ekaterina Ilina
ISBN: 978-1645439356
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: Bhangra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycTlIyQ2MHg
Diya Dances the Dandiya
Author: Pria Dee
Illustrator: Youngju Kim
ISBN: 979-8985583427
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAjIkT1vk0Y
We Are Lion Dancers
Author, Illustrator: Benson Shum
ISBN: 978-0593658864
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrZtB7Ur-OQ
The Cambodian Dancer: Sophany’s Gift of Hope
Author: Daryl Reicherter
Illustrator: Christy Hale
ISBN: 978-0804845168
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=040V32OveoY
Tari: The Little Balinese Dancer
Author: Pamela Noensie
Illustrator: Garretta Lamore
ISBN:
Buy the book on Amazon
Dance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG9GZIOAftI
I hope this has given you some great ideas to showcase some wonderful Asian and Pacific Islander Dances!
