Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Chinese New Year: With Fireworks, Dragons, and Lanterns (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4—Stunning full-page, color photographs, coupled with clear and understandable text, bring this holiday to life. While titles about Chinese New Year are plentiful, this one stands out due to the showcasing of international celebrations. It shows festivities and traditions in such varied countries as Brazil, Canada, and Japan. Customs meant to bring good luck in the New Year, such as hanging colorful lanterns and giving lucky red envelopes with money, virtually jump off the page. Scrumptious delicacies, illuminating fireworks, and vividly colored dragons are clearly identified through the bold text on each page. A back section entitled "More About Chinese New Year" includes clear and simple directions for making a Chinese lantern, a fortune cookie recipe, information on the Chinese calendar and Zodiac signs, a game, a glossary, and more resources to explore. Superior to Ann Heinrichs's Chinese New Year (The Child's World, 2006), this one is a visual treat.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA
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From Booklist

Vivid, colorful photographs of fireworks, lion dancers, lanterns, and food fill the pages of this introduction to Chinese New Year. The concise but informative narrative notes when the event occurs, cites a few of the countries where it is observed, and explains the reasons behind the customs and symbols, especially those traditions involving children. The well-captioned pictures capture the intense excitement and raucous exuberance of the festivities. Appended information on the Chinese calendar and zodiac, a craft idea, a recipe, a game, and sources for further information make this a great addition to primary classrooms as well as libraries. Grades 1-4. --Linda Perkins

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426303815
• ISBN-13: 978-1426303814
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #784,707 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This bright, exciting and colorful book brings the Chinese New Year to life!, June 6, 2009

By	D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Chinese New Year, a holiday that is celebrated by "millions and millions" of people around the world begins on the first new moon of the new year. This holiday is typically celebrated for a week, but was "traditionally celebrated for 15 days," in which time the moon beame full. It's an exciting festival and everyone prepares for it long in advance. Everyone has to shop, clean house and clean up the streets. It is as if all the old will be swept away and the doors open to a happy and prosperous new year.

Everyone decorates with bright colors, especially the color red because that portends good luck. Gold of course signifies wealth. On red paper people use Chinese characters to write couplets, "poems or signs, calling out happy wishes and asking for good luck." These are hung around the doorway in each home because that is "where the new year will enter" everyone's home. Lots of food is prepared for the celebration and each food has a special meaning. Once all is ready and New Year's Eve arrives, people gather and celebrate. At midnight everyone opens their "doors and windows . . . to let the old year out." Let the celebration begin!

This bright, exciting and colorful book brings the Chinese New Year to life. The numerous vibrant photographs on each page combined with the text are very informative and draw the reader in very quickly. In the back of the book are more facts about the holiday, instructions on how to make a Chinese lantern, a discussion about the Chinese calender, a recipe for fortune cookies, instructions on how to play the Drum and Flower Game, a glossary, a section discussing the origins of the holiday and additional recommended books and web sites. Do you stay awake to scare the Nián away from your house? "Bang, clang, boom!"