The Chinese New Year is also commonly called the Lunar New Year, as its months are coordinated by the cycles of the moon. It starts on a different date each year, this year on February 16. Today, the Chinese New Year is celebrated not only in China alone, but as a popular Spring Festival all over the world.
Here are five fascinating books to introduce your little ones to this special occasion.
Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book (by Joan Holub): Meant for younger kids, everything fun associated with the Chinese New Year forms a part of this story – a scrumptious New Year family dinner, the wonderful Chinese parade or simply shopping for fresh flowers. The illustrations are colorful and the kids would love lifting up the flaps to see what lies underneath. My kids love dragon games and anything to do with dragons overall, so I’m sure they’ll enjoy this story.
Here are five fascinating books to introduce your little ones to this special occasion.
Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book (by Joan Holub): Meant for younger kids, everything fun associated with the Chinese New Year forms a part of this story – a scrumptious New Year family dinner, the wonderful Chinese parade or simply shopping for fresh flowers. The illustrations are colorful and the kids would love lifting up the flaps to see what lies underneath. My kids love dragon games and anything to do with dragons overall, so I’m sure they’ll enjoy this story.
Image courtesy: The New York Times
The Race for the Chinese Zodiac (by Gabrielle Wang): The Chinese zodiac contains twelve signs in all. Legend has it that the ancient Chinese Jade Emperor had proclaimed once upon a time that the first twelve animals that would cross a particular river would be famous and have an year named after them. But then, thirteen animals managed to cross – competing for just twelve months. Who would be left out? The striking illustrations talk about friendship and teamwork, laziness and trickery and make for a captivating read.
Bringing in the New Year (by Grace Lin): Another book meant for younger kids, this is a simple family story that can be read aloud and talks about New Year celebrations, along with each family member contributing to preparing for it. The dust is swept out, decorations are hung, delicious dumplings are prepared and there’s even a dragon parade at the end of it all! This is ideal for preschoolers in the classroom or even at home.
Bringing in the New Year (by Grace Lin): Another book meant for younger kids, this is a simple family story that can be read aloud and talks about New Year celebrations, along with each family member contributing to preparing for it. The dust is swept out, decorations are hung, delicious dumplings are prepared and there’s even a dragon parade at the end of it all! This is ideal for preschoolers in the classroom or even at home.
Image courtesy: Amazon
D is for Dragon Dance (by Ying Chang Compestine): The exciting traditions of the Chinese New Year along with each alphabet standing for something – A for Acrobats, B for Balls, C for Calligraphy, D for Dragon Dance and the like – this is what the book is all about. There are firecrackers, zodiac and other creative Chinese illustrations in this alphabet book. The brightly colored pictures and brief descriptions are perfect to talk about the Chinese culture and traditions in the new year.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with the Fong Family (by F. Isabel Campoy & Alma Flor Ada): Two families – the Fongs and the Sanchezs – are celebrating the Chinese New Year together. One of the kids is an avid photographer and takes excellent pictures of all the traditions, but he must do all this without landing himself in trouble! The first part of the story makes for a fun read while the second half of the book explains the traditions by means of photographs taken by the kid within the story itself. Definitely an enlightening read.
The 15-day Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is all about cleaning and decorations, dumplings and firecrackers, visiting family and friends and above all, having a gala time. With one New Year already behind us, let’s celebrate the onset of another New Year with pomp and show, in our own little ways with our kids!
Celebrate Chinese New Year with the Fong Family (by F. Isabel Campoy & Alma Flor Ada): Two families – the Fongs and the Sanchezs – are celebrating the Chinese New Year together. One of the kids is an avid photographer and takes excellent pictures of all the traditions, but he must do all this without landing himself in trouble! The first part of the story makes for a fun read while the second half of the book explains the traditions by means of photographs taken by the kid within the story itself. Definitely an enlightening read.
The 15-day Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is all about cleaning and decorations, dumplings and firecrackers, visiting family and friends and above all, having a gala time. With one New Year already behind us, let’s celebrate the onset of another New Year with pomp and show, in our own little ways with our kids!
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