Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, begins on January 22, 2023. This annual event’s start date depends on the new moon and marks the beginning of the new year. Each year is also associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. This year is the year of the rabbit. You can learn about the Year of the Rabbit and its meaning.
We will be having a Chinese New Year themed story time on Tuesday, January 24. This program is for ages 1.5-4 and there will be a craft at the end of the program. No registration is required for this program.
Until then, here are some ideas for picture books on Chinese New Year. Clicking the title of the book will bring you to the SAILS library catalog where you can place a hold with your SAILS library card. Please enter all the numbers on the back of your library card (no spaces) and your pin (normally the last 4 digits of your phone number) to reserve a title.
The runaway wok : a Chinese New Year tale by Ying Chang Compestine
On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice, but instead he brings home an empty--but magic--wok that changes their fortunes forever. Includes information about Chinese New Year and a recipe for fried rice.
A sweet new year for Ren by Michelle Sterling
Ren has always been too little to help make her favorite pineapple cakes for the Lunar New Year, but when her one-of-a-kind brother Charlie arrives for the festivities, with his help, she finally gets her chance. Includes recipe for pineapple cakes.
The Nian monster by Andrea Wang
The legendary Nian monster has returned at Chinese New Year. Nian is intent on devouring Shanghai, starting with young Xingling! But Xingling is clever and thinks quickly to outwit him with Chinese New Year traditions.
PoPo's lucky Chinese New Year by Virginia Loh-Hagan
When her Chinese grandmother comes to visit, a young Chinese-American girl learns of and participates in the customs and beliefs celebrating an authentic Chinese New Year.
Ruby's Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee
As Ruby travels to her grandmother's house to bring her a gift for Chinese New Year, she is joined by all of the animals of the zodiac. Includes the legend of the Chinese horoscope and instructions for crafts.
