Growing up, my bookshelf was a sea of white heroes.

Characters with blond hair, blue eyes, and daring adventures dominated my childhood reading list. Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and others like them were my idols. They battled monsters, wielded magical powers, and saved the world.

But despite my deep admiration for these characters, I often found myself feeling a bit disconnected.

Where were the Asian heroes? Where were the stories that felt like they spoke to my experience?

As a kid, I didn’t see many Asian role models in fiction. It wasn’t until I stumbled into the world of anime that I began to see characters who looked a bit more like me, even though they were often far from perfect representations. 

This glimpse of familiarity sparked a realization—representation in stories goes far beyond appearances. It’s about seeing characters who share your struggles, your culture, and your values in ways that feel authentic and meaningful. That’s when I understood how much was missing from the books I grew up reading.

This personal experience led me to reflect on the broader issue of representation in children’s literature and why it matters for so many others who have grown up feeling the same disconnect.

The Root of the Problem: A Lack of Representation in Children’s Literature

Asian representation in children’s literature has always been scarce. In recent times, however, they are appearing more and more. However, it seems like when Asian characters do appear, they are there specifically to serve a purpose. This can be for comedic humor using stereotypes or for purely diversity purposes, but these usages lack depth and relatability. The issue isn’t as simple as needing Asian protagonists anymore. It’s more about the way Asian characters are portrayed and how these portrayals impact young readers.

Why This Matters

• Cultural Connection: Kids need to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. It helps them develop a positive self-image and a sense of belonging. When characters in books don’t reflect their own experiences or culture, children can feel alienated or undervalued.
• Stereotypes and Tokenism: Often, stories reduce Asian characters to stereotypes or used as token diversity without meaningful development. This not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes but also diminishes the complexity of Asian cultures.
• Empowerment and Aspiration: When children see characters who look like them doing things that they could only dream of doing, it can inspire them to pursue their own goals with more relish than ever before. Representation has the power to make children feel seen and capable, showing them that they too can be heroes, leaders, and creators. By providing Asian role models in literature, we can empower future generations of Asian children to aspire to roles they might not have otherwise considered, fostering a sense of limitless potential.

A Closer Look at Stereotypes and Tokenism

Microaggressive Stereotypes:

Stories frequently depict Asian characters through a narrow lens of stereotypes. For instance:

• The “Model Minority”: Media often portrays Asian characters as overachievers or extremely intelligent. I understand that being smart is obviously positive, but this still overlooks the diverse experiences and struggles within Asian communities. It creates unrealistic situations that can contribute to feelings of inadequacy if they aren’t perceived as exceptionally smart by others.
• The “Quiet Asian”: Another stereotype you see all the time is the quiet, submissive Asian.  This portrayal is very invalidating towards people that don’t fit the perceived norm. It also limits the perceived range of personality traits that Asian characters can have, reducing them to one-dimensional figures.
• The “Martial Artist”: How many times have you seen the old Asian martial artist that just wins every fight? Media often reinforces the stereotype that all Asians are skilled fighters or have some form of mystical combat ability. While martial arts are an important part of some Asian cultures, this trope reduces characters to physical prowess, overshadowing their intellectual, emotional, and personal dimensions. It also places undue pressure on Asian individuals to conform to this specific image.
• The “All-Knowing Wise Elder”: Media also depicts Asian elders as wise, spiritual, and all-knowing, embodying mystical or sage-like qualities. While this portrayal may seem positive, it often strips these characters of their humanity, reducing them to mere vessels of wisdom without personal struggles or flaws. It also reinforces the stereotype that Asians are connected to ancient, esoteric knowledge rather than modern or progressive thought.

Tokenism:

Tokenism is when a character is included in a story primarily to show diversity without meaningful integration. For example:

• The Token Friend: An Asian character might be included as the “exotic” friend or sidekick to make the protagonist seem more open-minded. This character often lacks depth and is merely a backdrop to highlight the main character’s virtue.
• The Safety Pass: Sometimes, diverse characters are included in stories to shield the author or production from accusations of racism. This is done superficially, without genuine integration or respect for the character’s background.

• The “Diverse Group” Dynamic: In ensemble casts, you might see one Asian character among a group of friends or colleagues, where their role is solely to ensure the group looks diverse. This character might not have a significant role or personal arc and is often sidelined or underdeveloped compared to the rest of the cast. Their presence is meant to make the group seem inclusive, but the character isn’t given the same narrative weight as others.

Tokenism in these forms serves only to provide superficial representation without genuine integration or respect for the character’s background, failing to offer meaningful diversity or depth. True inclusion requires that characters from diverse backgrounds are given real agency, fully developed personalities, and central roles in the story.

The Importance of Diverse Representation in Children’s Literature

Diverse representation in children’s literature is crucial for several reasons:

• Identity and Belonging: Children who see themselves in books are more likely to feel accepted and valued. They can also see possibilities for their own lives and dreams.
• Understanding and Empathy: Books that feature diverse characters help all readers understand and empathize with experiences different from their own. This fosters a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Steps Toward Better Representation

Publishing and storytelling need to evolve to better reflect diverse experiences. Here’s how:

1. Inclusive Storytelling: Authors should work towards writing more diverse stories. This means going beyond stereotypes and exploring the rich tapestry of Asian cultures and experiences.
2. Supporting Diverse Voices: We must also work to support and uplift voices from within the community. Asian authors and creators bring stories that feel real because they come from personal experience. These perspectives resonate on a deeper level because they carry the heartbeat of lived experience. 
3. Cultural Sensitivity: Avoiding stereotypes really just takes a little bit of research and communication with experts. This enriches stories while respecting the cultures it portrays.

Moving Forward

As a society, we need to actively seek out and support diverse stories. For parents and educators, this means looking for books that feature Asian characters and stories. For readers, it means supporting authors and publishers who prioritize authentic representation.

Here are some ways to promote better representation in children’s literature:

• Read Diverse Books: Seek out books with Asian protagonists and stories. Introduce these books to children and discuss them openly.
• Support Asian Authors: Purchase and promote books written by Asian authors. Their voices bring authenticity and depth to the representation of Asian characters.
• Encourage Dialogue: Have conversations with children about the importance of diverse representation and how it can impact their understanding of the world.

Final Takeaways