Happy, Happy Chinese New Year! [Hardcover]

DEMI DEMI (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

“In a book that is itself a celebration, Demi explains the rituals and ideas behind the Chinese New Year festival. The last 15 days of the old year are spent cleaning and preparing (‘Wash your hair and get a new haircut. Pay the debts that you owe and collect what is owed to you!’). On the eve of the new moon, a special feast is prepared. . . . The first 15 days of the new year are spent celebrating with lion dances, firecrackers, and other activities. Demi’s characteristic tiny, lively figures illustrate each page, with several spreads devoted to small, labeled pictures identifying things associated with the holiday. Infused with joy and filled with information.”—Booklist

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts’Ai! Happy New Year! The Chinese New Year is all about fresh starts. Taking place during China’s springtime (usually January or February in the Western calendar), celebrations include sweeping and dusting, paying off debts, catching up on homework, cooking and eating, setting off firecrackers, and dancing. Acclaimed author/illustrator Demi’s delightful little ode to the Chinese New Year describes in intriguing detail each of these festivities and more. Accompanying the text are Demi’s intricate and vibrant illustrations featuring Chinese children and adults participating exuberantly in each event--even mopping floors and washing hair seem like joyful occasions! We learn about the symbols behind traditional foods: "Pork brings wealth," "Sweet-and-sour fish signifies surplus," "Fried rice symbolizes harmony and plenty." And we marvel at the gorgeous dragons, lions, kites, and door guardians that dance, fly, and stand guard throughout the days of the New Year.

Demi’s interest in Eastern traditional celebrations and lore are reflected in many of her other works for children: Buddha, Liang and the Magic Paintbrush, and another Chinese New Year title, Happy New Year/Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'ai!. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Review

“With delightful charm and simplicity, Demi offers a lovely look at the Chinese New Year.”—School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (November 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375826424
• ISBN-13: 978-0375826429
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 0.3 x 6.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Chinese New Year
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American
  • #27 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American

More About the Author

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Save your Money & buy her other book, May 29, 2005

By 

KSL "emma-and-me" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy, Happy Chinese New Year! (Hardcover)

This is the very same book as " Happy New Year Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts' Ai! ISBN: 051788592,which is also by Demi. It's the very same illustrations & information, but this book has less pages. Save your money and buy Demi's other book and get more pages & information for your money!

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy, Happy Chinese New Year!, March 3, 2009

By 

Eva Lynne Seibert "cat teller" (Martinsburg, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Happy, Happy Chinese New Year! (Hardcover)

This book has beautiful pictures and gives a simple and true look into the traditional activities leading up to and during Chinese New Year.

5.0 out of 5 stars The lively, whimsical drawings are classic Demi, January 15, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy, Happy Chinese New Year! (Hardcover)

Demi's celebration of Chinese New Year provides a short set of insights on how the Chinese prepare for their celebration from cleaning the home to cooking, preparing for planting, and making ready for a fresh start. The lively, whimsical drawings are classic Demi and provide easy insights into the Chinese New Year's meaning.