Staff Picks: Books to Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Wed, 01/18/2023 - 3:43pm by emjane

Also known as Chūnjié, Seollal, and Tết, the Lunar New Year celebrations begin Sunday, January 22 this year. Learn more about the traditions and mark the New Year in the books below! 

Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade by Lyla Lee | Request Now

Elementary-schooler Mindy is mostly ready to learn more about her Korean heritage as Lunar New Year approaches – though she’s a little worried the parade her dad wants to take her to will be boring, and she knows that celebrating the new year without her mother will be different. In this short chapter book, learn about the traditions of Lunar New Year alongside Mindy and watch she and her dad make the most of the holiday!

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Heritage Cooking by Shirley Chung | Request Now

Celebrate the Lunar New Year by making some traditional dishes, like the dumplings found in this cookbook by Top Chef favorite Shirley Chung. Chung does a good job of providing instruction that even those not experienced in Chinese cooking can follow!

 

 

 

 

Playing with Lanterns by Wang Yage illustrated by Zhu Chengliang | Request Now

This beautifully illustrated picture book chronicles the 15-day celebration of the Lunar New Year in rural Northern China, focusing on the colorful lanterns gifted, paraded, and eventually (purposefully) smashed. The peaceful story serves as a warm introduction to the Chinese New Year traditions, particularly those of the Shaanxi province.

 

 

 

Daughters of the New Year by E.M. Tran | Request Now

Xuan Trung always reaches out to her three daughters leading into the Lunar New Year to share their horoscopes for the coming year-- even if they don't completely appreciate the message and effort. Beginning with this annual ritual, Daughters of the New Year sets off an exploration of these four women's lives. Chapters move backwards in time, alternating between the Trung women's perspectives. This family epic is a fast-moving read as you continue to learn more about what shaped each of these women into their present selves.