I Love Lunar New Year

September 30, 2024
As Lunar New Year approaches, young narrator Mai-Anne helps to clean and decorate, “making our home festive and cheerful.” Wong Nava’s straightforward prose explains how the family hangs red lanterns “for happiness,” places green bamboo and pink cherry blossoms around “for health,” and sets out a plate of eight tangerines “for good wishes.” When Mai-Anne’s nai nai arrives on the holiday’s eve, the family enjoys Reunion Dinner (“fish for lots of good luck... noodles for a long life”) before Nai Nai tells the story of the Great Race, “a folktale
of why each lunar year is represented by a different animal,”
interspersing the account with comparisons between the animals and the family members (“My little Mai-Anne, you are Monkey—agile and intelligent”). Colored pencil–like strokes from Li portray domestic particulars as well as the animals of lore throughout this heartwarming holiday introduction. Facts about the holiday conclude. Ages 4–6.

Starred review from November 2, 2024

PreS-Gr 1-A young Chinese girl and her family prepare for and celebrate Lunar New Year. This story centers around a grandmother reminding her granddaughter of their traditions. There are descriptions of the food, Chinese sayings, and even the mythology and characteristics of the animal zodiac signs. The signs take up a good portion of the book, accompanied by adorable animal illustrations whimsically whirled around the family's celebration. It adds a touch of magical realism to the holiday feast that also grounds this book as a warm, multigenerational family tale. Their dinner is more than just honoring Lunar New Year-it's a chance for connection and memories, both reminiscing on the past and making new ones for the future. Knowledge and emotion happen naturally in these beautiful pages. This book can be used to teach the basic traditions and structure around Lunar New Year, but it doesn't just educate readers about the holiday: it creates an entire world, introducing educational elements while crafting a comforting story that can easily stand alone. As an added bonus, facts in the back matter are short and clear, making them even more accessible for all readers. VERDICT An ideal holiday book for all, and essential Lunar New Year reading.-Cat McCarrey

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