The Animals of Chinese New Year

The Animals of Chinese New Year is a board book that introduces young readers to the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Through simple text and illustrations, it presents each animal's role in the lunar calendar. The story follows a traditional format, explaining how these zodiac animals earned their places through a race across a river. The book incorporates basic Mandarin words alongside English text, allowing children to learn vocabulary from both languages. Through its exploration of an important cultural celebration, this book connects young readers to Chinese traditions while teaching counting skills. The narrative demonstrates the ongoing significance of these zodiac animals in contemporary Lunar New Year festivities.

Readers say this board book introduces Chinese zodiac animals and New Year traditions in a clear, age-appropriate way for toddlers and preschoolers. Likes: - Text in both English and Chinese - Simple, repetitive structure helps learning - Vibrant artwork appeals to young children - Cultural elements incorporated naturally Dislikes: - Some felt the story lacks depth beyond basic animal facts - A few noted the illustrations appear computer-generated Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (112 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (86 reviews) Reader comments: "Great bilingual features but wanted more detail about New Year customs" - Goodreads reviewer "My 2-year-old requests this nightly during Lunar New Year season" - Amazon review "Teaches animal sounds in two languages which my toddler loves" - Amazon review "Wish the art had more traditional Chinese style" - Goodreads reviewer

Ruby's Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee A child prepares for Lunar New Year by gathering symbolic objects and greeting the twelve zodiac animals along her way to grandmother's house.

My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz Through the eyes of a child, this book presents the customs, food, and traditions that make up the Lunar New Year celebration.

A New Year's Reunion by Yu Li-Qiong A young girl's father returns home from his work in the city to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family, sharing traditional customs and precious moments together.

Dragon Dance by Joan Holub This lift-the-flap book introduces children to Chinese New Year traditions, from hanging red lanterns to watching dragon dances.

Bringing In the New Year by Grace Lin A Chinese American family prepares for Lunar New Year by cleaning the house, making dumplings, and watching the parade with lion dancers and dragons.

🏮 The book was published in both English and simplified Chinese, allowing children to explore vocabulary in both languages while learning about the zodiac animals 🐲 Author Jen Sookfong Lee was born and raised in Vancouver's East Side, and draws from her Chinese-Canadian heritage to write stories that bridge cultural experiences 🎨 The vibrant illustrations in the book were created by Kiki Yan, an artist known for her work in children's literature and her ability to capture traditional Asian artistic elements 🗓️ The Chinese zodiac cycle featured in the book takes 12 years to complete, with each year represented by a different animal chosen by the Jade Emperor in a legendary race 🏆 The book was selected as a recommended title by the Canadian Children's Book Centre, which highlights exceptional literature for young readers