Staff Picks
Read All About It: Lunar New Year
- Jocelyn T.
- Saturday, January 02, 2021
Collection
On February 12 of this year, Lunar New Year will begin and will introduce the Year of the Ox. Every lunar new year is a time of celebration throughout Asian countries and the Asian American community to bring in the coming twelve months, according to the traditional Chinese calendar or lunar calendar. Lunar New Year typically begins on the lunar calendar's first new moon and ends fifteen days later on the lunar calendar's full moon.
Read the stories listed below to learn more about the Lunar New Year celebration!
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A Gift
Published in 2009
Amy receives a gift for the Chinese New Year from her aunt and uncles who live far away in China.
D is for Dragon Dance
Published in 2006
Specific types of celebration of the Chinese New Year are associated with letters of the Roman alphabet, for example, "d" is for dragon dance and "f" is for firecrackers which scare away evil spirits.
The Runaway Rice Cake
Published in 2000
After chasing the special rice cake, Nian Gao, that their mother has made to celebrate the Chinese New Year, three poor brothers share it with an elderly woman and have their generosity richly rewarded.
The Runaway Wok
A Chinese New Year Tale
Published in 2011
On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty--but magic--wok that changes their fortunes forever. Includes information about Chinese New Year and a recipe for fried rice.
Happy New Year!
Kung-hsi Fa-ts'ai!
Published in 1998
Examines the customs, traditions, foods, and lore associated with the celebration of Chinese New Year.
Inside Out & Back Again
Published in 2012
Vietnam-born author Thanhha Lai bursts onto the literary scene with Inside Out & Back Again ?her National Book Award-winning debut. Written in rich, free-verse poems, this moving tale follows a young Vietnamese girl as she leaves her war-torn homeland for America in 1975. With Saigon about to fall to the communists, 10-year-old HA, her mother, and brothers are forced to flee their beloved city and head to the United States. But living in a new country isn't easy for HA, and she finds adapting to its strange customs ever challenging.
Inside out & Back Again
Published in 2011
Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.
Inside out & Back Again
Published in 2011
Inside Out and Back Again is a #1 New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor Book, and a winner of the National Book Award! ?Inspired by the author's childhood experience as a refugee-fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama-this coming-of-age debut novel told in verse has been celebrated for its touching child's-eye view of family and immigration. ?H? has only ever known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, and the warmth of her friends close by. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. H? and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope-toward America. ?This moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews, including one from Kirkus which proclaimed it "enlightening, poignant, and unexpectedly funny." ?An author's note explains how and why Thanhha Lai translated her personal experiences into H?'s story. This updated digital edition also includes an interview with the author, an activity you can do with your family, tips on writing poetry, and discussion questions.
Ruby's Chinese New Year
Published in 2018
As Ruby travels to her grandmother's house to bring her a gift for Chinese New Year, she is joined by all of the animals of the zodiac. Includes the legend of the Chinese horoscope and instructions for crafts.
The Year of the Dog
Published in 2008
This funny and profound debut novel by prolific illustrator Lin tells the story of young Pacy who, as she celebrates the Chinese New Year with her family, discovers this is the year she is supposed to "find herself." Illustrations.
The Year of the Dog
Published in 2006
Frustrated at her seeming lack of talent for anything, a young Taiwanese American girl sets out to apply the lessons of the Chinese Year of the Dog, those of making best friends and finding oneself, to her own life.
The Year of the Rat
Published in 2008
In the Chinese Year of the Rat, a young Taiwanese American girl faces many challenges: her best friend moves to California and a new boy comes to her school, she must find the courage to forge ahead with her dream of becoming a writer and illustrator, and she must learn to find the beauty in change.
Chinese New Year Colors
Published in 2019
Introduces the English and Chinese words for colors, using items associated with Chinese New Year celebrations.
Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon
A Beastly Tale
Published in 2019
An illustrated retelling for young readers of the Chinese folktale about a dragon that threatens a village each spring and Mei, the young girl who is destined to defeat him.
PoPo's Lucky Chinese New Year.
Published in 2016
When her Chinese grandmother comes to visit, a young Chinese-American girl learns of and participates in the customs and beliefs celebrating an authentic Chinese New Year.
Chinatown
Published in 1997
A boy and his grandmother wind their way through the streets of Chinatown, enjoying all the sights and smells of the Chinese New Year's Day.
Ten Mice for Tet!
Published in 2003
A village of mice prepares for Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, as different numbers of mice give gifts, cook food, and celebrate in other traditional ways. Includes an afterword with facts about the holiday.
Ten Mice for Tet!
Published in 2016
It's time for Tet! This vibrant, unique counting book introduces children to the rich traditions of the Vietnamese New Year. A playful village of mice lead young readers through the joyful celebration, as exquisitely embroidered illustrations recreate ten scenes of preparation, gift giving, feasting, and firework displays. With simple text followed by an informative afterword, Ten Mice for Tet is a joyful tribute to a special holiday.
Red is a Dragon
A Book of Colors.
Published in 2013
Younger children will be engaged by Red Is a Dragon, as a young girl finds a rainbow of colors in her everyday life.
Red is a Dragon
A Book of Colors
Published in 2001
A Chinese American girl provides rhyming descriptions of the great variety of colors she sees around her, from the red of a dragon, firecrackers, and lychees to the brown of her teddy bear.
A New Year's Reunion
Published in 2011
Feeling disconnected from the father whose work keeps him from home the rest of the year, Maomao enjoys a Chinese New Year visit marked by such activities as making sticky rice balls, watching a dragon dance, and searching for a hidden lucky coin.