On April 27, 2025, the 12th annual APIA Heritage Month Celebration kick-off event launched at the San Francisco Main Public Library from noon to 3 pm. The theme: Imagining an APIA World: APIA Children’s Book Authors & Illustrators.
Square and Circle Club is the fiscal agent and co-sponsor of this annual event together with the Asian American Studies Department at San Francisco State University, The Association of Chinese Teachers (TACT), the San Francisco Public Library, and the newest co-sponsor, the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA).
The day was filled with fun activities designed to introduce children and their parents to APIA authors and illustrators. It featured stations to create a mini book, a scavenger hunt, and a photo booth where participants could become part of a children’s book cover. Also worth seeing was the “2025 APIA Wall of Fame” exhibit, which showcased 42 notable APIA authors and illustrators. The event highlights included “Read Aloud” presentations by APIA children’s authors Oliver Chin and Traci Huahn. Eleven Square and Circle members, along with one intern, volunteered to help with the activities. Over 80 people attended the event.