October is Filipino American History Month, which celebrates and honors the history, accomplishments, and legacy of Filipinos in the United States. This month, we are excited to share a thoughtfully curated list of children’s books that highlight the richness of Filipino and Filipino American heritage and culture. These books share stories that range from life in the Philippines to journeys of migration and the bicultural experience, capturing Filipino traditions, language, and highlighting deep familial bonds.

These books offer children a mirror to see themselves and their families reflected on the page, a window into other experiences, and an open door to explore new perspectives. We hope these stories spark joy, foster pride in Filipino identity, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the vibrant Filipino community.

Sampung mga Daliri

Written by Hubert Fucio

Sampung mga Daliri (Ten Fingers) is a Filipino children’s song that teaches young children about the parts of the body. Sing along as your child discovers their hands, fingers, feet, nose, and more – all while reinforcing counting! 

Age level: 0 – 2

Talking Tip: Name and count the different parts of the body presented in the book!

• Ask your child to point at different parts of their body: “Where are your hands, can you show me?” “How many hands do you have?”

• Ask your child if they can move that body part in a specific way. Demonstrate with your own body. “Can you clap, shake, squeeze your hands?” “What else can your hands do?”

• Invite your child to experience the world through that body part by touching, smelling, running, jumping etc. “We use our hands to touch. Let’s touch our puppy, blocks, blanket…How do they feel?”

Dumaan si Butiki (Lizard Passed By)

Written by Mary Gigi Constantino
Illustrated by Ray Sunga

Where will butiki go next? Join a lizard, or butiki in Tagalog, on an adventure as he explores the many different spots in and around the house! This lovely book in Tagalog cleverly introduces opposites and positional words through butiki’s escapades such as on/under, left/right, up/down, near/far or inside/outside.

Age level: 0 – 3

Talking Tip: Talk about positional words with your child by naming objects in your home and describing where they are located. Ask questions like: “Are we on the bed or under the bed?” “Are we near or far from the front door?”

Bonus video: Check out Tandem’s read aloud of Damaan si Butiki!

Beautiful Eyes

Written by Gayle Romasanta
Illustrated by Ramon Abad
Tagalog translation by Carmen and Pat Romasanta

When there is a baby in a Filipino household, adults will say “Beautiful eyes! Beautiful eyes!” and wait for the baby to blink or bat their eyes in response. When the baby blinks, everyone cheers! This bilingual book is a great introduction for infants and toddlers to learn body parts and counting to 10 in both English and Tagalog.

Age level: 0 – 3

Talking Tip: Talk about appreciating your features. Describe the color of your eyes. What color are your child’s eyes? Point at your nose, ask: “Do I have a pointy nose or roundish nose?” Point at your hair and describe your hair texture. Ask: “Is my hair curly, straight, short, or long?” Share how everyone has unique and beautiful features. Describe how our body parts serve a purpose, for example eyes are for seeing, noses are for smelling, ears are for hearing, and hands for touching.

Bonus video: Parte ng Katawan: Learn the Parts of the Body in Tagalog or Filipino

Dancing Hands: A Story of Friendship in Filipino Sign Language

Written by Joanna Que and Charina Marquez
Illustrated by Fran Alvarez

This lovely story follows Sam as she befriends her new neighbor Mai, who communicates using Filipino Sign Language (FSL). As their friendship blossoms, Mai teaches Sam some FSL and together they discover the joy of becoming best friends. The book beautifully illustrates friendship and the power of communication beyond words and includes gorgeous endpapers illustrating the signs used in the story.

Age level: 3 – 7

Talking Tip: Talk with your child about all the different ways people can communicate.  We can use speech and sign just like Sam and Mai, but what are other ways people connect and communicate?

Ask: “How did you communicate when you were a baby?” “Can you tell me how you are feeling without using words?”

For more fun, practice the Filipino Sign Language illustrations in the endpapers together.

Sari-Sari Summers

Written and Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao

While spending summer in the Philippines, Nora helps her lola (grandmother) revive her sari-sari store during a heat wave by making mango ice candy to attract customers. Filled with love for the Philippines and grandmothers, this tale celebrates ingenuity, intergenerational bonds, and the joy of sharing sweet moments.

Age level: 3 – 7

Talking Tip: Have a conversation about summertime, your family traditions, and more. Ask your child:  Do you visit someone during summer time? When you have no school, where do you like to go and what do you like to do? What do you call your grandparents? What do you like doing with your grandparents? Do you have a favorite fruit? What is it? Why do you like it? Do you help your grandma or special adult?

Bonus: Make your own mango ice candy with this recipe!

When Lola Visits

Written by Michelle Stirling
Illustrated by Aaron Asis

For one young girl, summer means no school, days at the pool, and picking golden limes from the trees. But the real start of summer is when her lola, her grandmother from the Philippines, arrives for her yearly visit. When lola visits, the whole family gathers to cook, eat, and share in their happiness of another season spent together. Yet as summer transitions to fall, lola must return home, but not without a surprise for her granddaughter to preserve their special summer a bit longer.

Age level: 4 – 8

Talking Tip: In When Lola Visits, the young narrator uses her sense of smell to reminisce and describe happy summers with her lola. Tell family stories together and encourage your child to describe their memories using one or more of their senses. What did it smell, feel, sound, taste or look like?  

Story prompts: 

• Tell a happy memory about your parents, grandparents, or others who are special to you and your family.
• Think out loud about when you were little. Make a story out of an event, like a family trip, a birthday party, or when you lost your first tooth.
  
• Have your child tell you stories about what he or she did on special days, such as holidays, birthdays, and family vacations.

Our Nipa Hut A Story in the Philippines

Written by Rachell Abalos
Illustrated by Gabriela Larios

Yelena and her Papa lovingly care for their traditional Filipino home, the nipa hut, which in turn looks after them. But when a tropical storm approaches the Philippines, their preparations will be put to the test. Can Yelena, Papa, and their nipa hut work together as a family to weather the storm?

Made from palm leaves and bamboo poles, the nipa hut is a familiar sight in rural provinces. This story illustrates how this cherished home provides shelter and safety during storms, as the family diligently cares for its structure each year to ensure it can withstand the powerful winds and heavy rains that come with typhoons, or “bagyo.”

Age level: 4 – 8

Talking Tip: Talk about where you live. What is your home made from?  What do you see inside and outside your home? Invite your child to talk about ways your family cares for your home together. 

Did you know that nipa huts can be moved from one place to another by a group of people carrying it from the bottom? This animated video shows how! View the full video to learn more about Filipino history, culture, and heritage.

Dancing the Tinikling

Written by Bobbie Peyton
Illustrated by Diobelle Cerna

Jojo’s lola encourages him to dance the Filipino dance called the “tinikling.” In this dance, two people hold two long bamboo poles low to the ground, opening and shutting the poles repeatedly. With his lola’s guidance, Jojo learns to dance the tinikling by following the beat of “Clap! Tap-tap Clap!” and leaping in and out of the bamboo poles. This story showcases Jojo’s experiences being Filipino-American, living and learning between two worlds.

Age level: 4 – 8

Talking Tip: Do you like dancing? Do you have a special dance that you learned from your family or someone? Have a conversation about dancing with your child. Then, take turns demonstrating dances you may know or create a new one together! Point out the beat you follow as you dance. When you dance, do you follow a beat like “tap-clap-tap-clap?” How does dancing make you feel?

Bonus video: Watch a performance of the tinikling.

Maribel’s Year

Written by Michelle Stirling
Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales

Told in verse, Maribel’s Year tells the story of Maribel and her mother navigating a year month by month in a new country while they wait for Maribel’s father to join them from the Philippines. Despite the long distance Maribel holds onto memories of her father, feeling his presence through letters and the routines they once shared. As the seasons change, they exchange letters and their unbreakable bond shines through. Will Maribel and her Papa reunite by the end of the year? 

Age level: 4 – 8

Talking Tip: Talk to your child about family and loved ones that live far away. For example, you might ask: “What is your favorite thing to do with your auntie when she visits?” “How do you feel when auntie goes back home?”

Encourage your child to send a message or write a note to family or loved ones they miss.

Bonus: Check out these storytime activities inspired by Maribel’s Year from HarperKids.