When my daughter was in preschool, one of the highlights of the calendar was the Lunar New Year celebration. Some children would perform the Lion Dance, others demonstrated a Korean bowing ceremony, and everyone got a chance to eat noodles, dim sum, and other Chinese treats. This Lunar New Year, which includes Chinese New Year, begins on January 29th. To celebrate the Year of the Snake, here are a variety of books to share with your little ones. G\u014dngx\u01d0 f\u0101c\u00e1i<\/em> !<\/em> (Health and prosperity!)<\/p>\n no no 9780593562970 Happy Chinese New Year!<\/i> by Jannie Ho <\/p>\n Count your way to the Lunar New Year with this adorable board book for babies and toddlers. Tiny readers will love the colorful illustrations of zodiac animals and the simple, rhythmic text leading up to a festive party. The story includes Chinese numbers, a pronunciation guide, and an explanation of each tradition. 9780593648902 Happy Lunar New Year! (Sesame Street)<\/i> by Sonali Fry, illustrated by Barry Goldberg <\/p>\n Join Elmo as he learns about different Lunar New Year celebrations from his pals on Sesame Street. His friend Ji-Young educates Elmo on Soellal, the Korean Lunar New Year celebration, while Lily shares the traditions and customs of the Chinese Lunar New Year. 9780142400005 Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/292134\/dragon-dance-a-chinese-new-year-ltf-by-joan-holub-illustrated-by-benrei-huang\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Joan Holub, illustrated by Benrei Huang <\/p>\n Who can resist a lift-the-flap book \u2014 especially when it\u2019s filled with rhyming descriptions of the things that make Chinese New Year so much fun for kids? Little ones will find treasures on every page, from eating a celebratory dinner to receiving gifts from family members and watching the Chinese New Year\u2019s Parade. 9780593649466 Lunar New Year<\/i> by Mary Man-Kong, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan <\/p>\n Families across Asia celebrate Lunar New Year, and this Big Golden Book shares how different cultures have different traditions. Little reads can learn about the holiday’s history, the zodiac signs, delicious foods, and so much more. Warm and colorful illustrations help bring these delightful traditions to life. 9780593534014 The Chinese New Year Helper<\/i> by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu <\/p>\n Jia can hardly wait for the Chinese New Year feast at her family\u2019s restaurant! But every time she wants to help, everyone tells her that she is too young. But when the exciting lion dance begins, Jia finds a role and saves the show! This beautiful book shows the importance of involving children in traditions at any age. 9780593306789 The 12 Days of Lunar New Year<\/i> by Jenna Lettice, illustrated by Colleen Madden <\/p>\n Help build excitement and anticipation for the holiday with The 12 Days of Lunar New Year<\/i>. As little ones count down each day, they will also learn about the culture and traditions surrounding the holiday. The rhyming text, warm illustrations, and full page of stickers, are sure to make this book a family favorite! 9780385753654 Bringing In the New Year<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/101807\/bringing-in-the-new-year-by-grace-lin\/9780385753654\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Grace Lin <\/p>\n Young readers will be captivated by this simple tale of a Chinese American family preparing for the Lunar New Year. Grace Lin’s boldly patterned illustrations will have kids wishing they could jump right into the celebration. 9780823443710 Chinese New Year Colors<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/605352\/chinese-new-year-colors-by-written-and-illustrated-by-richard-lo\/9780823443710\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Richard Lo <\/p>\n Lo\u2019s color concept book is a thing of beauty, as festive and striking as the holiday itself. Monochromatic watercolor paintings depict items used to celebrate the Chinese New Year, from lucky coins to fireworks, and each color is translated in both English and Mandarin. 9780440417705 Dim Sum for Everyone!<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/101808\/dim-sum-for-everyone-by-grace-lin\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Grace Lin <\/p>\n Bright, bold, and beautiful illustrations invite readers on a culinary adventure that is the Chinese dim sum tradition. This feast for the eyes celebrates the Asian cultural tradition of enjoying a delicious meal together. 9780593384213 The Night Before Lunar New Year<\/i> by Natasha Wing and Lingfeng Ho, illustrated by Amy Wummer <\/p>\n Written in the style of The Night Before Christmas<\/i>, this rhyming picture book takes readers through the preparations and excitement leading up to the Lunar New Year. Readers will enjoy the vibrant artwork and learn more about the holiday\u2019s significance. 9781580896535 Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/236739\/goldy-luck-and-the-three-pandas-by-natasha-yim-author-grace-zong-illustrator\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Natasha Yim, illustrated by Grace Zong <\/p>\n After Goldy Luck accidentally wreaks havoc on the home of a family of panda bears, she decides to embrace the fresh-start spirit of Lunar New Year and set things right. An adorable retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears<\/i> with Chinese American characters and cultural references. 9780593567302 Let\u2019s Celebrate Korean New Year!<\/i> by Michelle W. Park, illustrated by Hyewon Yum <\/p>\n This sweet and festive picture book follows sisters Madeleine and Eloise as they prepare for their family\u2019s Lunar New Year party. Madeleine shows her younger sister how to make Korean dumplings, how to put on her colorful outfit called a hanbok<\/i>, and how to set the table. But when Madeleine forgets something, Eloise is there to help save the day! 9780735266193 Ten Little Dumplings <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/606897\/ten-little-dumplings-by-larissa-fan-illustrated-by-cindy-wume\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Larissa Fan, illustrated by Cindy Wume <\/p>\n A delightful retelling of a Taiwanese tale, Ten Little Dumplings<\/i> follows the family of ten \u201clucky\u201d brothers. But look closely \u2014 this family also has a daughter, and she has her own story to tell. Wume\u2019s cheerful art adds a fun seek-and-find element to the story, making this a book kids will want to pick up again and again. 9780698113886 Yeh-Shen <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/335918\/yeh-shen-by-ai-ling-louie\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Ai-Ling Louie, illustrated by Ed Young <\/p>\n In this Chinese retelling of \u201cCinderella,\u201d Yeh-Shen\u2019s only comfort from her cruel stepmother is a magical fish. Using its magic to attend the town\u2019s Spring Festival, she loses her slipper, and her life is transformed when it falls into the hands of the king. 9780593222942 Alex’s Good Fortune<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/639400\/alexs-good-fortune-by-benson-shum-illustrated-by-benson-shum\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Benson Shum <\/p>\n Funny, accessible text and engaging illustrations make this book a great introduction to Chinese New Year for early readers. Alex is excited to share her favorite Chinese New Year traditions with her best friend, Ethan. From the dragon parade to the red envelopes, Alex does a wonderful job explaining the meaning behind these important traditions. 9780823447466 D is for Dragon Dance <\/i> by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Yongsheng Xuan <\/p>\n An alphabetical run-through of all things Lunar New Year! From acrobats tossing balls to the zodiac animals for each year, this delightful picture book introduces young readers to the various aspects of the celebration in a simplistic way. 9780698113824 Lon Po Po <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/335927\/lon-po-po-by-ed-young-illustrated-by-ed-young\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Ed Young <\/p>\n Ed Young\u2019s masterful illustrations combine ancient Chinese panel art with contemporary watercolors in this Chinese retelling of \u201cLittle Red Riding Hood.\u201d Though darker than the original version, young children will delight in the little girls\u2019 clever schemes to outsmart the Big Bad Wolf. 9780593658871 We Are Lion Dancers<\/i> by Benson Shum <\/p>\n When siblings Lily and Noah notice the lion dancers practicing for the Lunar New Year parade, they ask their family to teach them all about the legend of the lion dance, and even how to make their own lion costume! This lively picture book is designed to engage early readers and comes with information about the legend of the lion dance. It will have kids wanting to revisit this story again and again. 9780525420682 The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale<\/i> by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Sebastia Serra <\/p>\n Ming and his family can’t afford a proper Lunar New Year feast. When Ming decides to trade the last of the eggs for a rusty wok, his family is disappointed. Little do they know, this wok is actually magical. This vibrantly illustrated picture book is a wonderful portrayal of a community celebrating the New Year together. 9780451473776 Look! What Do You See?<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/317621\/look-what-do-you-see-by-xu-bing-illustrated-by-becca-stadtlander\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Xu Bing <\/p>\n Xu Bing\u2019s ingenious book of calligraphy puzzles is as engaging as it is visually stunning. When they first approach it, readers will find themselves totally mystified, but as the secret behind Bing\u2019s one-block words (made of English letters) comes to light, they\u2019ll be delighted to discover the traditional American and Chinese folk songs just waiting to be decoded. Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2024.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lunar New Year kicks off on January 29th this year. In the spirit of celebration, here are some festive books to share with young readers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4944,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[652,657,954,1110],"coauthors":[39],"class_list":["post-4934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-holiday","tag-celebrations","tag-educators","tag-diverse-books","ages_stages-pre-k","ages_stages-growing-reader"],"yoast_head":"\n
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