Books About Southeast Asia

The Best Southeast Asia Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about southeast asia? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Series

The Secret of the Sacred Temple: Cambodia

#5 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Southeast Asia

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Inside Out & Back Again

By Thanhha Lai · Inside Out and Back Again series

A young girl flees war-torn Vietnam, seeking hope in America.

Newbery Honor (2012)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2011)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2012)

262 pages· 14,925 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 68,496 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1975, Hà's world is upended as she and her family escape war-torn Vietnam for a new life in Alabama. Through poetic verse, Hà navigates the challenges of a foreign land, grappling with loss, identity, and the quest for belonging. Will she find hope and healing in this unfamiliar world, or will the shadows of her past linger? Experience a poignant journey of resilience and transformation as Hà's story unfolds, capturing the heartache and hope of a refugee's path to a new beginning.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Lalani of the Distant Sea

By Erin Entrada Kelly

A girl braves a perilous sea quest to save her mother and her future.

400 pages· 51,828 words· Est. 7 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,922 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve-year-old Lalani Sarita must leave her island home to find the mythical Mount Isa and save her ailing mother. Facing a treacherous sea and a history of failed quests, can Lalani defy fate and succeed where others have perished? Inspired by Filipino folklore, this tale of courage and self-discovery explores the power of friendship and the choice between destiny and forging your own path. Will Lalani's journey lead to salvation or doom?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2008

The Secret of the Sacred Temple: Cambodia

By Elizabeth Singer Hunt · Book #5 in the Secret Agent Jack Stalwart series

A secret agent races to save a missing archaeologist and uncover his brother's fate.

128 pages· 10,381 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 388 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: When an archaeologist vanishes, her daughter Kate enlists top agent Jack for help. The mission turns personal as Jack discovers clues to his missing brother's whereabouts. With a power-hungry villain in pursuit, Jack must act swiftly to save the archaeologist and protect ancient treasures. Can he unravel the mystery before it's too late?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

When Lola Visits

By Michelle Sterling, Aaron Asis (Illustrator)

A young girl's summer transforms with her grandmother's visit, filled with traditions and a lasting surprise.

40 pages· 504 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 760 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: A young girl eagerly awaits her grandmother's annual summer visit from the Philippines, marking the true start of her season. Together, they fill the days with mango jam, beach trips, and family gatherings. As summer fades, her grandmother must leave, but not without leaving a special surprise to keep their cherished memories alive. What will this surprise be, and how will it preserve their bond across the miles?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Wishes

By Muon Thi Van, Victo Ngai (Illustrator)

A young girl faces a life-changing journey across the sea in search of a new home.

34 pages· 77 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 2,008 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: A young Vietnamese girl embarks on a perilous journey with her family, leaving everything behind to find a new home across the ocean. As they navigate the unknown in a crowded boat, her world transforms, and the impact of this voyage shapes her future. What awaits them on the other side? Discover a tale of hope, courage, and the enduring power of family bonds in this poignant story inspired by true events.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2019

House Without Walls

By Ching Yeung Russell

A perilous journey to find a new home tests courage and hope.

336 pages

4.4/5 Goodreads · 241 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1979, eleven-year-old Lam flees Vietnam during the Boat People Exodus. Facing pirates, hunger, and loss, she clings to hope and a jade pendant. At a refugee camp, she finds solace in friendship with Dao, a girl who becomes like a sister. This poignant verse tale captures the resilience and heartache of seeking safety and belonging.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1993

The Lotus Seed

By Sherry Garland, Tatsuro Kiuchi (Illustrator)

A girl flees Vietnam, carrying a lotus seed as a symbol of her lost homeland.

32 pages· 473 words· Est. 6 min read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 856 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: A young girl escapes war-torn Vietnam, clutching a lotus seed as a cherished link to her past. In America, she and her family navigate a new life, striving to preserve their cultural heritage. As they adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, the seed becomes a poignant reminder of their roots and resilience. Will they find a way to honor their past while embracing the future? This tale of survival and identity explores the enduring bonds of family and tradition amidst the challenges of starting anew.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

How to Make Friends with the Sea

By Tanya Guerrero

A boy's fears are tested when his mother fosters an orphaned child.

368 pages· 62,598 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 558 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve-year-old Pablo, burdened by fears and homesickness, moves to the Philippines with his mother, a dedicated zoologist. When she fosters Chiqui, an orphaned girl with a cleft lip, Pablo's world shifts. As he supports Chiqui, he confronts his own anxieties, including his fear of the ocean. Can Pablo find the courage to embrace the sea and discover a sense of belonging? This heartwarming journey explores the power of friendship and facing one's deepest fears.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Titan and the Wild Boars

By Susan Hood, Pathana Sornhiran, Dow Phumiruk (Illustrator)

A soccer team trapped in a flooded cave faces a race against time for survival.

48 pages

4.5/5 Goodreads · 208 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Eleven-year-old Titan and his soccer team explore a cave, only to be trapped by rising floodwaters. With monsoon rains and dwindling oxygen, an international rescue mission races against time. Will they escape the cave's dark grip? Experience the tension and triumph of this true story of survival and teamwork.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2184

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Marshmallow & Jordan

By Alina Chau

A paralyzed athlete meets a magical elephant, sparking new dreams and hidden secrets.

384 pages· 5,989 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,453 ratings

$22.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Jordan, once a basketball star, faces life in a wheelchair after an accident. Her world shifts when she meets Marshmallow, a magical elephant, who introduces her to water polo. As Jordan navigates this new sport, she must balance her old friendships and uncover Marshmallow's mysterious secret. With a tournament looming, can Jordan reclaim her athletic dreams, or will new challenges and hidden truths change everything?

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Southeast Asia Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about southeast asia for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$895

Go to Sleep, Gecko!

Ages 4–7 · 2006

Gecko's complaint about fireflies sparks chaos, revealing the village's interconnectedness.

Sale price

$1999

The Gift of the Crocodile

Ages 4–8 · 2000

A mistreated girl finds an unexpected ally in a crocodile. Will magic save her from jealousy?

Sale price

$1799

The Umbrella Queen

Ages 4–8 · 2008

Can Noot's imaginative umbrellas win the King's favor despite breaking tradition?

Series

Sale price

$1699

Mommy Sayang

Ages 4–7 · 2019

A young girl faces her mother's illness, finding strength in love and hope.

Series

Sale price

$1195

Jouanah

Ages 5–8 · 1996

A mistreated girl in Southeast Asia finds hope through a magical transformation and a lost shoe.

Sale price

$1899

Doña Esmeralda, Who Ate Everything

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A hungry lady devours leftovers until she discovers children's tasty treats.

Sale price

$699

Hush!

Ages 5–6 · 1996

A mother pleads with animals to keep her baby asleep.

Sale price

$495

How Tiger Got His Stripes

Ages 4–8 · 2006

Tiger seeks wisdom but gains stripes instead.

Sale price

$1899

Run, Elephant, Run

Ages 3–6 · 2017

Lost in the rainforest, a young elephant must escape a prowling tiger.

Sale price

$795

The Turtle and the Monkey

Ages 4–7 · 1983

A greedy monkey demands more than his share of bananas.

View all southeast asia picture books

Browse by age

Southeast Asia Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about southeast asia for developing and independent readers.

Series

Sale price

$1799

Ascent

Ages 12–+ · 2018

A climber faces treacherous jungles and a brutal regime to reach an isolated peak.

Sale price

$1795

Girl of the Southern Sea

Ages 9–12 · 2019

A Jakarta girl must navigate superstition and hardship to pursue her dream of education.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$599

Judy, Prisoner of War

Ages 7–10 · 2018

A canine soldier becomes a WWII POW, facing survival and heroism behind enemy lines.

Series

Sale price

$1499

Filipino Children's Favorite Stories

Ages 5–10 · 2000

Discover timeless Filipino tales where cleverness and courage triumph over adversity.

#2 in Series

Sale price

$1699

The Apprentices

Ages 10–14 · 2013

Separated by distance, two friends use magic to thwart a looming threat.

Sale price

$799

Water Buffalo Days

Ages 8–12 · 1997

A boy and his buffalo face jungle dangers together.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2299

Fly on the Wall

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A boy defies his family to embark on a secret solo adventure across the world.

Sale price

$695

Rickshaw Girl

Ages 7–10 · 2007

A young artist's bold plan to aid her family spirals into debt, testing her courage and creativity.

Sale price

$1699

Ten

Ages 10–12 · 2009

Maya battles for girls' soccer and family unity amidst cultural expectations and school challenges.

Sale price

$699

Tua and the Elephant

Ages 8–11 · 2011

A girl meets an elephant needing help, leading to an unexpected friendship.

Sale price

$899

A Million Shades of Gray

Ages 10–14 · 2009

A young elephant trainer must choose between captivity and a perilous escape through the jungle.

Sale price

$1799

Rising Water

Ages 10–14 · 2019

Twelve boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave face a race against time for survival.

View all southeast asia chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about courage Books about culture Books about identity Books about immigration and emigration Books about missing home and homesickness Books about quests Books about treasure hunts Books about Vietnam War

Our 10 Favorite Books About Southeast Asia

Great books, picked for their age.

Southeast Asia Picture Books

Southeast Asia Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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