Lunar New Year Booklist
I never knew the Lunar New Year traditions until recently. But… you’re Chinese/Taiwanese! It’s true. But I learned the traditions by reading to my kids, starting just a few years ago with our study of China. Keep reading for my favorite Lunar New Year books!
Here’s why I’ve remained in the dark about Lunar New Year traditions until now. My parents became Christians when I was an infant. They made the decision to cast away all the traditions that are supposed to bring luck or good fortune (which is most of them). It’s nice that they kept the tradition of giving kids red envelopes of money!
My family has also chosen not to participate in any of the traditions that bring luck or good fortune. However, it’s still nice to know what they are.
Lunar New Year versus Chinese New Year
I had a conversation with a relative recently who thought it was nonsense to call it Lunar New Year when the majority of people celebrating it are Chinese, therefore making it Chinese New Year. I guess he just didn’t know that the other Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year differently than the Chinese. They even have different names for it: Têt, Seollal, and Tsaagan Sar, to name a few. I always called it Chinese New Year until I started researching, too. Happily, there are picture books to learn about the various Lunar New Year traditions in different Asian countries, including China.
China: Lunar New Year Books
Chinese New Year is called Chun Jie, which means “Spring Festival.” We learned the most about the traditions behind Chinese New Year in these books:
- Ruby’s Chinese New Year
- PoPo’s Lucky Chinese New Year
- Nian
- The Great Race
- Playing with Lanterns
- How to Catch a Dragon
In addition, we read these books that center around the holiday. The final book is of beautiful Chinese brush art.
- The Runaway Wok (We made the recipe at the end of this one!)
- Two New Years (2023)
- A Gift
- Hiss! Pop! Boom!
- Tray of Togetherness (2022)
Vietnam: Lunar New Year Books
Lunar New Year in Vietnam is called Têt. Last year, 2023, we learned that the Vietnamese have a Cat in their 12-animal zodiac instead of Rabbit! So 2023 was The Year of the Cat for people celebrating Têt.
Korea: Lunar New Year Books
Lunar New Year in Korea is called Seollal. In the spring of 2022, we studied Korea for three weeks using my study, “Discover Korea: A Book A Day.”
- Tomorrow is New Year’s Day: My kids really enjoyed the craft in this book. We also played Yut Nori, like Mina does in the book. Author Aram Kim has free printables and videos on her website that correspond with this book.
- New Clothes for New Year’s Day
- Wish Soup This was just released in Dec 2023 and super cute!
- Many Blessings for Seollal (2023)
And More Lunar New Year Books …
Philippines
A Sweet New Year for Ren (2022) comes with a recipe to make pineapple cakes at the end. Filipino author Michelle Sterling writes in her author’s note: “Pineapple Cakes originated in Taiwan and are often given as gifts wherever Lunar New Year is celebrated. In Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, pineapple tarts are also baked and enjoyed.”
For Lunar New Year in 2023, I bought the pineapple cake molds and we made them after reading the book. With my Taiwanese heritage, you bet I grew up eating pineapple cakes! You can find her recipe included in the free resources on the publisher’s website.
Hong Kong
The Wishing Tree (2004) has a template at the end to photocopy and write your own wish. “This story is based on a local legend about a real tree in the village of Lam Tsuen in Hong Kong… Although Lam Tsuen has the most famous Wishing Tree in Hong Kong, it is not the only one.” (from the Author’s Note)
We read this again this year after reading Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. It’s too bad that don’t have a Wishing Tree near us, but did pay a visit to our local, large white oak.
Malaysia
Boys Don’t Fry (2023) provides a recipe for Peranakan Pongteh Chicken that we will try this year. This Lunar New Year story is from Malaysia, where a little boy wants to help make the traditional meal. His aunties shoo him away but his Mamah invites him in.
Compilation
Our Lunar New Year introduces New Year festivities in Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, and India. In Thailand, the Lunar New Year is called Songkran and is always celebrated from April 13 to 15. Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights and celebrated in India in the autumn.
Mongolia: Tsagaan Sar
In 2022, we all studied all of the countries of Asia. For Lunar New Year that year, we read all the books that made it into my unit: Discover Mongolia: A Book A Day. We explored how Mongolia celebrates their Lunar New Year, called Tsagaan Sar. Mongolian author Uuganaa Ramsay writes a wonderful description of Tsagaan Sar.
There were no kids book for this, but Gastro Obscura highlights the Ul Boov, which means “Shoe Sole Cake.” This is created by layering small cakes in the shape of shoe soles. We made our own small version which was delicious and great fun.
What about Japan?
I was wondering about this, too! Japan’s New Year, called Oshogatsu, was shifted to January 1st instead of following the traditional lunar calendar since 1873. Preparations begin on December 13th and the celebrations culminate on January 1. Just One Cookbook, my go-to site for Japanese recipes, writes about Japanese New Year – Oshogatsu.
Have fun celebrating!
Here are all the titles compiled in my Amazon List: Lunar New Year