Pre-K
Growing Reader
Tween
Picture Books To Celebrate
Lunar New Year
by Liz Lesnick
When my daughter was in preschool, one of the highlights of the calendar was the Lunar New Year celebration. Some of the children would perform the Lion Dance, others demonstrated a Korean bowing ceremony, and everyone got a chance to eat noodles, dim sum, and other Chinese treats. This Lunar New Year, which includes Chinese New Year, begins on January 22nd. To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, here are a variety of books to share with your little ones. Gōngxǐ fācái ! (Health and prosperity!)
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Happy Chinese New Year!
Also available from:Count your way to the Lunar New Year with this adorable board book for babies and toddlers. Tiny readers will love the colorful illustrations of zodiac animals and the simple, rhythmic text leading up to a festive party. The story includes Chinese numbers, a pronunciation guide, and an explanation of each tradition.
(Ages 0 – 3)Also available from: -
Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book
Also available from:Who can resist a lift-the-flap book — especially when it’s filled with rhyming descriptions of the things that make Chinese New Year so much fun for kids? Little ones will find treasures on every page, from eating a celebratory dinner to receiving gifts from family members and watching the Chinese New Year’s Parade.
(Ages 2 – 5)Also available from: -
The 12 Days of Lunar New Year
Also available from:Help build excitement and anticipation for the holiday with The 12 Days of Lunar New Year. As little ones count down each day, they will also learn about the culture and traditions surrounding the holiday. The rhyming text, warm illustrations, and full page of stickers, are sure to make this book a family favorite!
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Bringing In the New Year
Also available from:Young readers will be captivated by this simple tale of a Chinese American family preparing for the Lunar New Year. Grace Lin's boldly patterned illustrations will have kids wishing they could jump right into the celebration.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Chinese New Year Colors
Also available from:Lo’s color concept book is a thing of beauty, as festive and striking as the holiday itself. Monochromatic watercolor paintings depict items used to celebrate the Chinese New Year, from lucky coins to fireworks, and each color is translated in both English and Mandarin.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Dim Sum for Everyone!
Also available from:Bright, bold, and beautiful illustrations invite readers on a culinary adventure that is the Chinese dim sum tradition. This feast for the eyes celebrates the Asian cultural tradition of enjoying a delicious meal together.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
The Night Before Lunar New Year
Also available from:Written in the style of The Night Before Christmas, this rhyming picture book takes readers through the preparations and excitement leading up to the Lunar New Year. Readers will enjoy the vibrant artwork and learn more about the holiday’s significance.
(Ages 4 – 6)Also available from: -
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas
Also available from:After Goldy Luck accidentally wreaks havoc on the home of a family of panda bears, she decides to embrace the fresh-start spirit of Lunar New Year and set things right. An adorable retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with Chinese American characters and cultural references.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Ten Little Dumplings
Also available from:A delightful retelling of a Taiwanese tale, Ten Little Dumplings follows the family of ten “lucky” brothers. But look closely — this family also has a daughter, and she has her own story to tell. Wume’s cheerful art adds a fun seek-and-find element to the story, making this a book kids will want to pick up again and again.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Yeh-Shen
Also available from:In this Chinese retelling of “Cinderella,” Yeh-Shen’s only comfort from her cruel stepmother is a magical fish. Using its magic to attend the town’s Spring Festival, she loses her slipper, and her life is transformed when it falls into the hands of the king.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Alex's Good Fortune
Also available from:Funny, accessible text and engaging illustrations make this book a great introduction to Chinese New Year for early readers. Alex is excited to share her favorite Chinese New Year traditions with her best friend, Ethan. From the dragon parade to the red envelopes, Alex does a wonderful job explaining the meaning behind these important traditions.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Lon Po Po
Also available from:Ed Young’s masterful illustrations combine ancient Chinese panel art with contemporary watercolors in this Chinese retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood.” Though darker than the original version, young children will delight in the little girls’ clever schemes to outsmart the Big Bad Wolf.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Look! What Do You See?
Also available from:Xu Bing’s ingenious book of calligraphy puzzles is as engaging as it is visually stunning. When they first approach it, readers will find themselves totally mystified, but as the secret behind Bing’s one-block words (made of English letters) comes to light, they’ll be delighted to discover the traditional American and Chinese folk songs just waiting to be decoded.
(Ages 7 – 10)Also available from: -
Where Is the Great Wall?
Also available from:Part of the popular Where Is? series, this book tells the history of the Great Wall of China. Perfect for middle grade readers, this book combines illustrations and interesting facts that allow the author to tell the story of China, its dynasties, its culture, and what this country looks like today.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from:
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More to Explore:
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D is for Dragon Dance
Also available from: Baby’s First New Year
Also available from: A New Year's Reunion
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Fortune Cookie Fortunes
Also available from: The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2023.