One of the reasons I started this blog is to collect ideas for teaching my (future) children about the world. There are so many amazing places and cultures to explore and so many customs and practices to learn about. A great way to expose kids to different cultures at a young age is through children’s books, which can really bring places and customs to life for a child. I like the idea of pairing the books with real-life activities or places that relate to the books.
For Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year (coming up on February 5th this year), I picked out three fun children’s books that teach a little bit about the holiday’s traditions. It’s never too early to start building our little family library!
The first book is a board book for the littles, Bringing In the New Year by Grace Lin. It’s a fun little snapshot of a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year with all the festivities – dumplings, fireworks, lanterns, and a colorful dragon parade. This is a fun book to introduce young children to teach them about the traditions of Chinese New Year.
Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn is great story about giving. Sam receives the traditional gift of lucky money in red envelopes called leisees (pronounced “lay-sees”) from his grandparents, but when he goes shopping with his mom in Chinatown, he’s disappointed when he finds out that he doesn’t have enough money to buy what he wants. An encounter with a stranger helps him realize that the best gifts come from the heart. It’s a sweet message with beautiful, colorful illustrations.
Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges is based on the inspirational story of the author’s grandmother, a bright young girl living in China who aspires to attend university when she grows up – something unusual for women during that time. The book recognizes the struggle of balancing Chinese tradition with big dreams of doing more, and it’s wonderful to see Ruby’s hard work and courage get rewarded by her family. This book inspires kids and adults alike to follow their dreams.
Do you know any great books for Chinese New Year? I’d love to hear your favorites.
P.S. The cutest kids clothes and accessories for Chinese New Year, and making holidays special.
Happy Saturday!