I love to look at picture books that bring a variety of perspectives into the mix. It helps children to see the world through the eyes of many different cultures of people, and to understand that every question or idea has multiple answers.
So, here are a few more books relating to Chinese New Year, plus a few that can be used to tie into another Chinese festival, which occurs later in the year:
- Great Race, The (Chinese Legends Trilogy)
, by David Bouchard. A slightly different take on the traditional story of the Chinese Zodiac, which can be compared and contrasted with Monica Chang's, Dawn Casey's, and Ed Young's versions (please see prior posts). It presents much opportunity to discuss the character traits of the different animals. Since it's a longer version, it will be most appreciated by children between the ages of 7 and 12.
- Moy Moy
, by Leo Politi. Published in 1960, this picture book has a very beautiful simplicity to it, which will charm all ages of children. It may be a little too lengthy for some preschoolers, though.
- New Clothes for New Year's Day
, by Hyun-Joo Bae. Chinese New Year is celebrated on other Asian countries, such as Korea, as well. This story revolves around the special meaning of the clothes that are worn on this special day. Any girl (between the ages of 3 and 6) who likes to dress up will be delighted with this story.
Grandparents will especially enjoy reading the following books with their grandchildren, as they play a significant role in each of these books (same for The Great Race, above):
- The Moon Lady (Aladdin Picture Books)
, by Amy Tan. Adapted by the author from the widely read novel, The Joy Luck Club, this picture book will delight generations of female readers. It is rather lengthy, so it's most appropriate for the 9 through 12 age range.
- Ruby's Wish
, by Shirin Yim Bridges. LOVE this one! Ruby loves the color red, which is the color of celebration. She wears it every day. But Ruby is interested in a lot more than what she wears. Reflecting upon the different Chinese festivals, she sees the subtle ways that girls are not treated in the same way as boys. When she opens the lines of communication with her grandfather, she's in for the surprise of her life! This one is a must-read for children, especially girls, of all ages. It's sure to stir up a lively discussion amongst 6 through 12 year olds.
There are so many creative ways to use any of these picture books as springboards to any number of related subjects, including art, music, history, geography, math, and even science. The possibilities are endless!
I hope you're able to find at least a few of these books at your local library. Enjoy!
, by Valerie Reddix. One very special homemade kite holds special meaning in this beautifully illustrated and heartwarming story, which relates to the Taiwanese celebration of Kite's Day. A nice complement to this book would be Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky, by Demi.
