Sparking Imagination: AAPI Kids' Literary Fest This Saturday
The Culture Tree and Asia Society come together for a kid-centered day of fun.
“Once I became a mother, I realized that there was a real need for below-the-surface representation of Indian culture, especially for children. Additionally, I was finding it very hard to find language classes for my kids that made native language learning fun, relatable and relevant.” Anu Sehgal, the founder of The Culture Tree and the visionary behind some of the most dynamic cultural events for the Indian community in NYC shared this with me as we chatted recently about AA&PI Heritage Month. “That was the genesis of The Culture Tree, an acute need for me to instill love and pride for their heritage in my children.”
The month of May is a time to reflect and celebrate the crucial role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have all played and continue to play in our shared history and existence. Though we should be honoring all cultures year round, the designation of specific months gives us the opportunity to check in and center that celebration just a bit more.
As a mama with Indo-Caribbean heritage who grew up steeped in Indian culture in Trinidad & Tobago, it’s super important to me to pass on that ancestral appreciation to Adam’s and my two multiracial kids. That’s why I was pumped to learn about the offerings of The Culture Tree and their programming that is catered to little ones. Their goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards all different cultures and further inclusivity, while still helping address questions about identity with heritage cultures.
This Saturday, The Culture Tree is hosting an event like no other-a literary festival for kids featuring AA&PI authors.
“This Lit Fest has been on my mind for more than 5 years. I wanted to create an event and a space where children and families from the AAPI community see authors and illustrators that look like them. I also wanted to engage all ages to come together and celebrate their heritage,” Sehgal told me. “For this festival, Asia Society and The Culture Tree are partnering for our first annual AAPI Children's Literary Festival.”
We asked Anu how us parents and caregivers can ensure that celebration of AA&PI culture isn’t designated only to one month per year. “We hope this festival sparks the joy to read, learn, write and illustrate in children and also instill the pride to express their dual identities,” she told us. “We also want the parents to recognize and experience the joy and confidence that children experience when they see themselves reflected in the books they read, movies they watch and events they attend. Parents should diversify and add to their kids’ book shelves, attend celebrations of all cultures, travel to different parts of the world and show real interest in learning about others and the kids will follow.”
Anu honors AA&PI Heritage Month in her home with her kids with a multifaceted approach to identity and fun. “My kids are participating and volunteering at the lit fest. They are very excited to meet the authors and help with the workshops. We have also been visiting the New York Public Library on a weekly basis and getting new books that are showcased from the AAPI community,” Anu noted. “I am also asking my kids to journal everyday about what they feel as Indian-American kids. Lastly, we are going out to different restaurants and experiencing foods from the AAPI cultures every week.”
The AAPI Children’s Literary Festival is chock full of activities including readings, meet-and-greet sessions with authors and illustrators, panel discussions, and writing and illustration workshops. And here’s a unique tidbit. This festival will be run by teens from the AA&PI community giving them the opportunity to be even more immersed in their culture. If your kids are between 5 and 14, this is the place to be this Saturday. Snag your tickets HERE.
This week, we’re handing over our On Our Bookshelf segment to Anu. Here are her top 8 kids books by AANHPI authors.
I am a Lotus, by Anu Sehgal
Limu The Blue Turtle and His Hawaiian Garden by Kimo Amitage
Night Diaries, by Veera Hiranandani
A Pho Love Story, by Loan Le
Gordon & Li Li series, by Michele Wong McSween
LaoLao's Dumplings, by ShinYeon Moon
Sunday Funday in Koreatown, by Aram Kim
Priya's Kitchen Adventures, by Priya Krishna
That’s all from me for today. Remember that raising bold changemakers is hard but it’s the only way we have hope for a truly liberated world for all. Love up on your kids, okay? See you again real soon.
Tabitha
p.s. we didn’t forget to update you on our Spring Antiracist Parenting Day! It was a blast. Stay tuned for pics and more in our next newsletter mailing.