The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) announced the return of the biennial Festival of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Books on July 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.).
To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, the Festival of AAPI Books (FAB) brings together authors, artists, educators and community members for a day of storytelling, connection and honoring the diverse histories and experiences of AAPI communities.
The FAB will feature author panels, book signings, children’s storytimes, cultural activities, local vendors and community organizations.
Attendees have the opportunity to engage with authors across multiple genres, discover new books and participate in family-friendly activities throughout the day.
“Events like the Festival of AAPI Books reflect Long Beach at its best—diverse, creative and deeply connected through shared stories,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “This celebration honors the voices that shape our city’s cultural fabric and inspires the next generation of readers and leaders.”
Attendees will have access to a lineup of author panels, which include:
- The Romance Panel, moderated by Grace Salvador from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., will bring together romance authors Emery Lee, Joss Richard, Julie Tieu and Kaye Rockwell to discuss love, relationships and crafting unforgettable memories.
- Young adult literature fans can join moderator Kristtina Swilling from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. for a conversation with acclaimed authors Aimee Phan, C.B. Lee, David Yoon and Jennifer Chen as they explore themes of identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling.
- The Adult Panel, moderated by Elaine Villanueva Bernal from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m., features authors Devi S. Laskar, Jasmin Iolani Hakes, Vanessa Hua and Ellie Yang Camp, whose works highlight history, culture, family and resilience.
- A special Publishing Roundtable featuring author Kaila Yu, author and illustrator Kenneth Tan, literary agent Noelle Falcis Math and author Melody “Fuzz Garden,” will share a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world.
The event will also feature a community book signing at 3 p.m. with 22 participating authors, where attendees can meet their favorite writers, ask questions and take home signed copies of books.
Families can also look forward to a day of storytelling with children’s authors and illustrators featuring:
- Ann Chau — “My Ong Ngoai’s Garden: Cal’s Guide to Vietnamese Fruits and Culture”
- Kimberly Tso — “Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken”
- Ann Suk Wang — “The House Before Falling into the Sea”
- Min Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez — “Unbreakable”
- Michelle Sterling — “Riding Through Rice Fields”
- Susie Yi — “Cat & Cat Adventures #6: The Lair of the Owl King”
Beyond the author events, the festival will be filled with hands-on fun, including interactive craft activities for children and families throughout the day.
To view the full calendar of AAPI heritage events, visit the Long Beach Public Library’s events center.
