I have recently been asked by a couple of people to recommend books for Chinese New Year. So here are a few of our favorites:
"The Good Luck Life" by Rosemary Gong
This is a great book for Chinese American customs and festivals...good section for New Year's activities.
"Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes " by Nina Simonds
Similar to the Good Luck Life but more focused on children/family activities, a good resource book to keep out all year round. Nice illustrations.
"My First Chinese New Year" by Karen Katz
A delightful, colorful introduction to Chinese New Year. Perfect for toddlers and up.
"The Year of the Dog" by Grace Lin
A wonderful chapter book (elementary/middle school) by one of our favorite children's authors/illustrators. The first in a series of books about Pacy, a Taiwanese-American girl and her family (somewhat autobiographical). We own the book, but we might as well own the audio tape because we check it out of the library so frequently...I hear Noah laughing at night while listening in bed. So excited to see that the second book is available in time for the new year and appropriatedly named "The Year of the Rat" along with another new book about Chinese New Year (both are going to be arriving in the mail soon so I will post a review later). And here is a link to her blog. Looks like she is traveling in China right now...some great photos. I especially like the ones of the Great Wall covered in snow.
"Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year" by Kate Waters and Madeline Slovenz-Low
Photographs and easy text make this book perfect for school age children. The book follows Ernie (a young boy in San Francisco's Chinatown) as he prepares for Chinese New Year including his participation in the lion dance. This is a Reading Rainbow book and there is a companion video about Chinese New Year (found it at our library).
"Ms. Frizzle's Adventures: Imperial China" by Joanna Cole
Not necessarily the most beautifully illustrated and in typical Magic School bus style it is somewhat chaotic and choppy, BUT we recently checked this out from the library and have been enjoying it. There is a ton of information packed onto each page. Starts out with Ms. Frizzle celebrating Chinese New Year with a student's family and they end up being transported back in time to China.
Charming illustrations and informative text.
We are always on the hunt for good books. So if you have some Chinese New Year's favorites please share them!
That's a great list, Lucia. I'll have to check some of those out at the library!
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