

Aloha Everything
Aloha Everything is a magical journey through the islands of Hawaiʻi, following Ano, a brave young girl who discovers the beauty of her homeland. Through hula—a dance rich with Hawaiian history and culture—Ano learns the true meaning of aloha.
With stunning hand-painted illustrations, rhythmic poetry, and 25 Hawaiian words woven into the story, this book is both an enchanting adventure and an educational resource. A pronunciation guide and glossary help readers explore Hawaiian language and traditions.
Perfect for children and parents, Aloha Everything celebrates the spirit of Hawaiʻi and the power of connection to land and culture.
《Aloha Everything》是一段穿越夏威夷群岛的奇妙旅程,讲述了勇敢的小女孩Ano发现家乡之美的故事。通过草裙舞(一种充满夏威夷历史和文化的舞蹈),Ano领悟了“aloha”的真正含义。
书中配有精美的手绘插画、富有韵律的诗句,并巧妙融入了25个夏威夷词汇,既是一个迷人的冒险故事,也是一份教育资源。附带的发音指南和词汇表帮助读者探索夏威夷的语言和传统。
《Aloha Everything》适合孩子和家长共同阅读,歌颂了夏威夷的精神以及与土地和文化联结的力量

The Truth about dragons
The Truth About Dragons” comes alive with rich, intricate illustrations, taking readers on a magical journey alongside a young child inspired by his mother’s bedtime tales. Guided by his two grandmothers, he ventures into two distinct forests, uncovering two unique yet equally captivating truths about dragons.
This heartwarming story beautifully intertwines Eastern and Western mythologies, celebrating the harmony and richness of mixed cultural heritage
《龙的真相》通过精美细腻的插图栩栩如生地展现了一个小男孩的奇幻旅程,这一切都源于他母亲讲述的睡前故事。在两位祖母的引导下,他踏入两片截然不同的森林,发现了关于龙的两种独特而又同样迷人的真相。
这个温暖的故事巧妙融合了东西方神话,颂扬了多元文化身份的和谐与丰富。

A First Time for Everything
A First Time for Everything is a heartfelt graphic memoir from award-winning author-illustrator Dan Santat (The Adventures of Beekle, After the Fall). The book chronicles Santat’s own awkward middle school years as a shy Thai-American teen and his transformative class trip to Europe.
Shy 13-year-old Dan feels completely out of place – grappling with the universal struggles of adolescence while also navigating his identity as a child of immigrants. His school trip through France, Germany and beyond becomes a journey of self-discovery beyond cultural boundaries. Through vivid illustrations and honest humor, Santat captures both the pains of growing up and the quiet significance of being an Asian American kid experiencing Europe in the 1980s.
The memoir beautifully illustrates how travel pushes us beyond comfort zones as Dan experiences unforgettable firsts: his first crush, first kiss, and first steps toward confidence. Santat, a Caldecott Medal winner known for blending humor with emotional depth, brings his signature style to this deeply personal reflection on identity and belonging.
(National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, 2023)
《第一次的历险》是凯迪克奖得主邓桑达(《毕克勒的冒险》《跌倒之后》作者)真挚动人的图像回忆录。这部作品记录了作者作为美籍泰裔青少年的成长故事,讲述了他13岁那年改变人生的欧洲之旅。
害羞的邓桑达在初中时期总是格格不入——作为移民后代,他既面临着普通的青春期烦恼,也经历着文化认同的微妙挣扎。一次学校组织的欧洲之旅(途经法国、德国等地)意外成为了他突破自我的契机。通过生动有趣的插画和真诚幽默的笔触,桑达不仅描绘了成长的阵痛,更展现了一个亚裔孩子在1980年代欧洲旅行中获得的独特视角。
在这段旅程中,桑达经历了许多珍贵的”第一次”:初恋、初吻,以及最重要的——第一次找到自信。这位以幽默与深刻情感见长的插画家,用他标志性的风格完成了一部关于身份认同与归属感的温暖回忆录。
(2023年美国国家青少年文学奖获奖作品)

Wei Skates On
Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Champion Nathan Chen delivers an inspiring picture book about overcoming fears and finding joy in sports, no matter the outcome.
Wei loves ice-skating—the gliding, the jumps, the music. But as his first big competition nears, he worries: what if he doesn’t win? With his mom’s help, Wei learns to manage his nerves and skate without pressure.
As the first Asian American man to win figure skating gold, Nathan Chen is a role model for kids. His uplifting story of positivity and perseverance is perfect for social-emotional learning at home or in school.
奥运金牌得主、三届世界冠军陈巍带来了一本鼓舞人心的图画书,讲述了如何克服恐惧并在运动中寻找乐趣,无论结果如何。
韦自第一次滑冰后就爱上了这项运动——他喜欢滑行、跳跃,以及跟随音乐舞动的感觉。但随着他的第一次大型比赛临近,他开始担心:如果赢不了怎么办?在妈妈的帮助下,韦学会了管理自己的紧张情绪,并在没有压力的情况下滑冰。
作为首位获得花样滑冰金牌的亚裔美国男性,陈巍是孩子们学习的榜样。他关于积极心态和坚持不懈的励志故事,非常适合在家或学校进行社交情感学习。

Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm
Twelve-year-old orphan Yeung Zhi Ging dreams of becoming a Silhouette—an apprentice to the immortals. When her attempt to impress a scout backfires, causing a dragon attack, she thinks her chance is gone. But the scout sees her potential and gives her a second chance.
In the mystical realm of Hok Woh, Zhi Ging trains under grueling trials while rivals try to sabotage her. As she unlocks her powers, rumors of the Fui Gwai, an evil spirit that turns people into thralls, grow stronger.
When the Fui Gwai attack, Zhi Ging must use her newfound abilities to protect her friends and the world she loves, standing against the darkness threatening to destroy everything
十二岁的孤儿杨芷晴梦想成为“影者”——神仙的学徒。当她试图打动侦察员却意外引发龙袭时,她以为自己失去了机会。但侦察员看到了她的潜力,给了她第二次机会。
在神秘的霍沃仙境,芷晴在严酷的考验中训练,而对手们却处处设阻。当她逐渐觉醒力量时,关于“灰鬼”的传闻愈演愈烈——那是一种能将人变成傀儡的邪恶灵体。
当灰鬼来袭,芷晴必须运用新获得的力量保护她的朋友和这个世界,与威胁吞噬一切的黑暗抗争到底。
2025 Book Drive Kickoff Fundraising Dinner
On the evening of February 20th 2025, the Asian Cultural Association (ACA) hosted the kickoff dinner for this year’s 5th Annual Book Donation Event at Lu’s Fine Asian Cuisine in Wheaton, a western suburb of Chicago. Prominent leaders from Chicago’s Chinese community, entrepreneurs, past ACA donors, representatives from CIBC Bank, renowned lawyers, and business leaders attended the event. Among them were Nancy Chen, founder of CAWA; Zheng Zheng, chairman of the Chinese American Association; Xu Saiyuan, president of UCA IL and attorney; and Wang Zhe, vice president of UCA IL. While the cold wind howled outside, the atmosphere inside was warm and lively. Guests engaged in open discussions and enjoyed wonderful performances by two singers, Ms. Shen Xiaoli from China and Mr. Jim Gruden from the United States.

