Chinese New Year

Book Ideas:Happy New Year Everywhere by Arlene Erlbach
Through interesting text and colorful, dynamic illustrations, this excellent offering briefly describes traditional New Year's celebrations and customs in 20 countries.



The Dancing Dragon by Marcia Vaughan
A rhyming story that describes a typical Chinese New Year celebration.

Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade to help bring in the Lunar New Year. And the dragon parade in our book is extra long–on a surprise fold-out page at the end of the story.

D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine
From firecrackers to noodles, from red envelopes to the zodiac, young readers are introduced to the exciting traditions of Chinese New Year in this accessible and visually stunning homage to the holiday.


Activity Idea:

Read one of the book titles and talk about how different places around the world celebrate the New Year in different ways and at different times. Make your own Chinese Lantern in honor of the holiday.

Click here for instructions on how to make your own lantern. (I didn't have the crepe paper so I just used a strip of tissue paper instead)