Looking for some books to help celebrate the Lunar New Year? Here are some suggestions to help you find something for everyone.
Pre-School
Bringing in the New Year, by Grace Lin
This picture book takes children on a search for the Lunar New Year. What is it that makes the New Year come? Is it when they sweep out the old year, hang the spring happiness poems or awaken the dragon? The book includes a history of the Lunar New Year and bright artwork.
Chelsea's Chinese Dinner, by Lisa Bullard
Chelsea takes us through her Chinese New Year preparation and celebration with her family. Each page contains a fun fact about Chinese New Year and the book includes a glossary of new words and a list of further books and websites to learn more about the holiday.
Middle Years
Celebrate Chinese New Year: With Fireworks, Dragons and Lanterns, by Carolyn Otto
Travel the world in this book as we see how different countries celebrate Chinese New Year. This book is full of beautiful colour photos and lots of information about the celebration.
The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin
This story begins as Pacy and her family are preparing to celebrate Chinese New Year. As the family talks about the celebration we learn the meaning of some of the traditions and expectations for the coming year. The novel follows Pacy’s search for her own luck in the Year of the Dog, and is interspersed with endearing family stories that her parents share.
Adults
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See
This poetic novel follows the lifelong friendship of Lily and Snow Flower as they grow from young girls into old women in 19th century China. Using a unique, secret language the two friends reach out to each other by sending messages painted on fans and embroidered on handkerchiefs and through this connection they share their hopes and dreams.
The Jade Peony and All That Matters, by Wayson Choy
These parallel novels, set in Vancouver’s Chinatown, follow the struggles of the Chen family as they move from China to Vancouver in the 1930s. Each tells the same story from a different character’s point of view. Both are historical, fictional accounts of the struggles and difficulties faced by these early immigrants as they settled into their new lives.
Helen Varga is a library technician at the Steveston Branch of the Richmond Public Library. She was born in Welwyn Garden City, about 30 miles north of London, England and enjoys reading historical and Canadian fiction and non-fiction.
For other popular reading suggestions check out Richmond Public Library's Web site at www.yourlibrary.ca/goodbooks/.
