Discover the joy of reading with Book Clubs and Book Fairs
Discover the joy of reading with Book Clubs and Book Fairs
Explore culture and diversity with children, and learn about the tradition of Lunar New Year! Introduce your young ones to new celebrations with easy-to-read and heartwarming stories.
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year celebrates the start of a new year according to the moon’s cycle, rather than the regular calendar that we usually follow. Lunar calendars depend on the position of the moon, so the date of the new year changes every year, but is typically celebrated in January or February.
Every year is connected to one of the twelve different animals from the Chinese zodiac—rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2025 marks the Year of the Snake.
How is it celebrated?
Lunar New Year is a time to spend with family, and show respect to elders. Children give their parents and grandparents well wishes for the new year, while the older members of the family give children money, usually in small red envelopes indicating luck and good fortune. Family meals will also include dishes that symbolize prosperity, happiness, and health.
Lion and dragon dances are seen to bring good luck as well—the lion and dragon are known as powerful and lucky creatures. Dancers will wear colourful costumes, and perform energetic routines, accompanied by loud drums.
Fireworks and firecrackers are also a big part of celebrations. It is believed that the loud sounds and bright lights can scare away evil spirits and bad luck, making way for good things in the new year.
Lunar New Year celebrations last up to 16 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
Books for the Family
A delicious ode to food, family, and togetherness that celebrates Lunar New Year.
A little girl and her family are hosting a New Year party, an event marking the Lunar New Year. There’s a lot to do before the guests arrive! First, a trip to the market to fill up the Tray of Togetherness, a special candy box for the partygoers. Each of the eight lucky snacks in the Tray has an auspicious meaning: peanuts for a long life, pistachios for happiness, candied coconut for strong family ties…As the family returns home, they pass out delicious good wishes to the friends and neighbours they meet along the way.
After the tray has been prepared and the decorations set up, it’s time for the party! A diverse group of relatives and friends gathers, ready to celebrate the New Year with the Tray of Togetherness.
This sensory, food-focused story is brought to life with eye-catching illustrations and a little girl’s cheerful narration. Debut author/illustrator Flo Leung encourages readers to explore culturally specific Lunar New Year practices, while offering a universal message about carrying on traditions and creating community.
Twelve animals, one for each year, each one with their own special powers. It all started with a race to cross the most heavenly of rivers.
Chinese New Year is right around the corner and Mai-Anne is so excited! As her family starts decorating the house, there’s a knock on the door… her grandmother, Nai Nai, has arrived! They start their celebrations with a traditional meal filled with fish for good luck, noodles for long life, dumplings for blessings, and a WHOLE chicken. Then, after dinner, Nai Nai tells the story of how Chinese New Year began, with the Great Race!
Join Mai-Anne as she learns about twelve animals and their special powers in the story of how Chinese New Year began! A beautifully illustrated introduction to the true meaning of Chinese New Year and family traditions for little ones.
A gorgeously illustrated introduction to Chinese New Year, written by Eva Wong Nava and illustrated by Xin Li.
This funny and heartwarming follow-up to Grand-papa grognon celebrates Lunar New Year, Chinese traditions, and the love of a doting grandparent.
Daisy is travelling to China, and she’s so excited to see her Yeh-Yeh again! She hasn’t seen him since he came to visit her. She has big plans for all the fun they’ll have together in preparation for Lunar New Year! There are rice cakes to make, markets to visit, and karaoke to sing. But when she arrives, she has trouble sleeping and is less jolly than she hoped.
Throughout this countdown until the Lunar New Year, the roles are reversed as the usually grumpy Yeh-Yeh tries all sorts of things to help Daisy have a fun holiday and get her past her own grumpiness. With ten days to go before Lunar New Year, will Daisy be able to get some rest and have one perfect day before she goes home?
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