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January 30, 2013 | 14 Comments

10 Books About China & Chinese New Year

10 books about China and Chinese New YearChinese New Year is on February 10th so pop over to your local library and check out these great books that will teach and entertain. You may not be able to travel to China to explore its culture and country but you can read about it together in your own home. Here are some of our favorite books about China and Chinese New Year for kids.

ms-frizzles-adventures-imperial-chinaMs. Frizzle’s Adventures: Imperial China by Joanna Cole Takes readers from present-day Chinese New Year celebrations to the rice fields and palaces of Imperial China. In this installment Ms.Frizzle explores China, explains the concept of taxes really quite well and covers many of the inventions that came from the country. My 4.5 year old wasn’t as into this book as the other two in the series but I think that’s because I read two of  them to him back to back with this one at the end, which was obviously too much for his attention. I however loved this one and was fascinated by the little asides filled with information about Chinese inventions.

DIsForDancingDragon

D is for Dancing Dragon: A China Alphabet by Carol Crane is a invaluable book when teaching about China and Chinese New Year, it is more than a simple alphabet book, going into detail about lanterns, chopsticks, panda bears and so much more. What I love about these books is that younger children can be shown the pictures and given a easy to digest synopsis of the text, while older children can read the whole book. The illustrations by Zong-Zhou Wang will make the most reluctant traveler want to get on a plane to China, they are simply spectacular!

books about asia for toddlers

The Empty Pot by Demi . A fable about a young Chinese boy, a contest to become the next emperor, and the importance of honesty. Lovely pictures are definitely part of the appeal of this book. ( Review by Katy)

 My First Chinese New Year

My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz is a simple introduction to Chinese New Year for young children. It’ a board book so if you have a 4-year-old who, lets say has decided he thinks board books are only for babies, you may want to have him be a reading helper for this one. I had to cajole my son  into helping me read this book to his sister but once I started he was into it and enjoying the simplistic way the author-illustrator explains the Chinese customs. Even adults may learn something new. Did you know that cutting hair for a fresh start for the new year is a tradition? I never did!  The illustrations are bright and cheery and for those of you who aren’t fans of the baby lift the flap books from this author, you may want to give the author another chance because her holiday books are really great.

Bringing in the new year

Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin is a wonderful book to explain Chinese New Year and some of the customs that comes along with it to your preschooler. The illustrations are bright and help explain the festivities and preparations that go into the celebration.  The book culminates with a fold-out page with a huge dragon bringing in the new year. There is also a great explanation of the holiday for parents at the back of the book.

books about asia for kids and toddlersTikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel A classic story that I remember enjoying as a child. It tells the story of why Chinese parents give their children short names. This book is wordier than a lot of the ones I try with my son, but it has become one of his absolute favorites. When given a choice, he ALWAYS chooses to read this one. ( review by Katy)

yum yum dim sum

Yum Yum Dim Sum by Amy Wilson Sanger is a book that makes me crave dumplings something fierce but my daughter seems to like the rhymes and pink and red colors throughout. The book explains in a zippy text all about Dim Sum . It’s a board book targeted to babies it’s really useful to use to teach children about foods they may be unfamiliar with. There is even a little appendix with Chinese words for all the items mentioned in the book like tea, rice and tarts.

dragon dancing

Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schaefer is a story with a great imagination. A preschool teacher is reading her class a story about a dragon and when the class goes to art they create a birthday dragon and let their imaginations soar! The illustrations gradually change from the children parading as a dragon to a dragon in the wilderness of China, and back again when the teacher calls them in from the playground. My son loved it but was quite concerned that the dragon ate the children, once I reassured him that the were imagining we were set!Legend of the dragon

Legend of the Chinese Dragon (English and Mandarin Chinese Edition) by Marie Sellier , Catherine Louis and Wang Fei is a great book about the legend of how the children of China wanted to put an end to tribal fighting and created a dragon from all the tribes different animals. I like this book, I like how the text in English and Chinese characters, the traditional calligraphy, and the beautiful illustrations. My son loved the illustrations and the story kept his attention as well.

next new year janet wong

This Next New Year by Janet Wong is a great new to me book about Chinese New Year. I read it with my kids after dinner and they both really enjoyed it. My daughter liked the illustrations and the text itself was short enough to keep my 2 year old interested too. What this book did a great job of doing was explaining a few of the differences between Chinese New Year and New Year of January 1st and lots of the traditions . My son related well to the main character, a little boy about his age, and had a ton of questions after the book that the author actually addressed in a authors note at the end. Great book for PreK and up.

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Filed Under: Books About China & Chinese New Year, Preschool Book Lists, Preschool Crafts | 14 Comments

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14 Comments

  1. Carol Schiller says

    February 1, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    What a great list Allison! I can’t wait to check some of these out with my kids. To this I would also add 2 books my kids love including: The Seven Chinese Sisters by Grace Lin, and Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn. Happy reading!

    to Carol Schiller" aria-label='reply to this comment to Carol Schiller'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      February 1, 2013 at 6:44 pm

      Thanks for the new suggestions Carol!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  2. iGameMom says

    February 4, 2013 at 7:46 am

    Great list! If you have an iPAD, you might want to try these two free books: Journey to the West 1 & 2. It is about the well known Monkey King. Kids will love it. Also you can read in three languages : English, Chinese and Japanese. Kids may be able to pick up some Chinese 🙂
    Check it out: http://igamemom.com/2013/01/29/free-apps-multilingual-books/

    to iGameMom" aria-label='reply to this comment to iGameMom'>reply to this comment
  3. helia mom says

    June 7, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    HI.What a great list.YOU can also add this book
    http://www.amazon.com/Little-Blue-Edition-Gaye-Chapman/dp/1921541202

    to helia mom" aria-label='reply to this comment to helia mom'>reply to this comment
  4. Felicity says

    February 17, 2020 at 10:58 pm

    “Lunar New Year” by Hannah Elliot and Alina Chau is another lovely book. I recommend it for 3-7yos but I learnt some things from it too.

    I also really like a non-fiction book called “Happy, Happy Chinese New Year!” by Demi Demi. Great for 3-8yos and older children too if they’re new to Chinese New Year.

    to Felicity" aria-label='reply to this comment to Felicity'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. 10 Books About China & Chinese New Year | KidZania Journal says:
    January 31, 2013 at 6:16 am

    […] No Time for Flash Cards. January 30, 2013. (English). -Chinese New Year is on February 10th so pop over to your local library and check out these great books that will teach and entertain. You may not be able to travel to China to explore it’s culture and country but you can read about it together in your own home. Here are some of our favorite books about China and Chinese New Year for kids. […]

    to 10 Books About China & Chinese New Year | KidZania Journal" aria-label='reply to this comment to 10 Books About China & Chinese New Year | KidZania Journal'>reply to this comment
  2. Chinese New Year goodies « Mummy Ed says:
    February 2, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    […] 10 books about China and Chinese New Year – by No Time for Flashcards One of my favourite sites, there are quite a few good books listed here. […]

    to Chinese New Year goodies « Mummy Ed" aria-label='reply to this comment to Chinese New Year goodies « Mummy Ed'>reply to this comment
  3. Children’s Books and Crafts For Chinese New Year says:
    February 5, 2013 at 7:18 am

    […] Time For Flash Cards has a post sharing books and crafts for Chinese New Year. All the books have her personal reviews as well  – which is always great for […]

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  4. Chinese New Year Books | Lesson Plans | CraftGossip.com says:
    January 12, 2014 at 7:00 am

    […] Top 10 Chinese New Year Children’s Books.  […]

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  5. Celebrating the Chinese New Year #fiveforfriday | cuddles + muddles + muddy puddles says:
    January 24, 2014 at 2:27 am

    […] good place to start is by reading about China and the Chinese New Year together. This is a brilliant book list from No Time For Flashcards that covers traditions for celebrating the new year as well as information about the […]

    to Celebrating the Chinese New Year #fiveforfriday | cuddles + muddles + muddy puddles" aria-label='reply to this comment to Celebrating the Chinese New Year #fiveforfriday | cuddles + muddles + muddy puddles'>reply to this comment
  6. celebrate the chinese new year - local mom scoop says:
    January 29, 2014 at 7:57 am

    […] Read a children’s book about the Chinese New Year […]

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  7. Free Printable Chinese New Year Book for Kids - Artsy Momma says:
    January 29, 2014 at 4:54 pm

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    to Free Printable Chinese New Year Book for Kids - Artsy Momma" aria-label='reply to this comment to Free Printable Chinese New Year Book for Kids - Artsy Momma'>reply to this comment
  8. Free Printable Chinese New Year Book for Kids - Artsy Momma says:
    January 6, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    […] 10 Books about China and the Chinese New Year – No Time for Flashcards […]

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    January 29, 2020 at 8:57 am

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