MBC: Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year begins today and we have beautiful books to share with you!

The different Lunar New Year traditions - from the Chinese Spring Festival in Chinese culture, to Seollal in Korean culture, and Tết in Vietnamese culture, and more - are incredibly vibrant opportunities for learning.

So many aspects of these celebrations call to young children. From the preparation of the home to the sharing of delicious foods, the wearing of special clothing, joyful visits with family and friends, and the playing of games. Symbolic colors and creatures, lanterns and fireworks - there is much to honor and to love.

All this to say, if you simply have a short chat with your child about the Year of the Dragon, and maybe see a dragon craft come from school - please know that there is so much more that you can offer your child.

And these books are a wonderful way to help learning about Lunar New Year come alive.

As you read with your child, share your own experiences with these aspects of culture, and talk about the experiences of your friends and loved ones who may celebrate.

New Clothes for New Year’s Day, by Hyun-joo Bae

A Sweet New Year for Ren, by Michelle Sterling and Dung Ho

Playing with Lanterns, by Wang Yage, Zhu Chengliang, and Helen Wang

Bringing in the New Year, by Grace Lin

This is Tết, by Tam Bui, Tam Le, and May Ngo

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day, by Aram Kim

Lunar New Year will continue until February 24th.

You have an ideal opportunity to see that repeated experience fosters learning.

Return to these books and to conversations about Lunar New Year. Read these stories often, and tell true stories, over the coming weeks.

And repeat these Weekend Wonders, too!