Books That Celebrate Chinese New Year & The Year of the Rabbit
This Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21st and February 20th. When writing this, it is the Year of the Rabbit—the fourth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The rabbit represents hope, and it is widely shared that “People born under the sign of the rabbit are gentle, sensitive, modest, and merciful and have a strong memory. They like to communicate with others in a humorous manner. They cannot bear dull life, so they are good at creating romantic or interesting spice…”
The picture books listed below offer solid introductions to the Chinese New Year and are followed by some good-old bunny tales to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.
Written by Grace Lin
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 34 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publisher’s synopsis: This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade to help bring in the Lunar New Year. And the dragon parade in our book is extra long–on a surprise fold-out page at the end of the story. Grace Lin’s artwork is a bright and gloriously patterned celebration in itself! And her story is tailor-made for reading aloud.
Add this book to your collection: Bringing in the New Year
by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith (Author), Lawrence Migdale (Photographer)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Holiday House
Source: Library
Publisher’s synopsis: A Chinese-American boy’s family observes a cherished tradition.
Add this book to your collection: Celebrating Chinese New Year
by Hingman Chan
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Asia for Kids; Activity edition
Publisher’s synopsis: Celebrating Chinese New Year is a fun-filled craft, activity and resource book for the Chinese New Year. In addition to basic facts and history of the Chinese New Year, you can make a dragon parade, a paper lantern, and red lucky envelopes following simple directions and examples in this activity book. You will also have fun learning about your Chinese Zodiac signs. This classroom tested copy-ready activity book is an excellent resource for parents and teachers with children ages 5 to 10. A must for celebrating Chinese New Year!
Add this book to your collection: Celebrating Chinese New Year: An Activity Book
by Karen Chinn (Author), Cornelius Van Wright (Author), Ying-Hwa Hu (Author)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Publisher’s synopsis: This year Sam gets to spend his New Year’s gift money any way he chooses. Shopping carefully in his favorite Chinatown stores, he is disappointed to find that everything he wants is too expensive. Deciding to forgo a tasty sweet or a new toy for himself, Sam donates his money instead to a barefoot homeless man. Full color.
Add this book to your collection: Sam and the Lucky Money
by Marcia K. Vaughan
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: Mondo Publishing
Publisher’s synopsis: The Chinese New Year is about to begin. There’s lots to do–tie strings of firecrackers outside, hang up red scrolls, bake special cakes, and sing New Year’s songs. And when family and friends are gathered together, it’s time for the parade to begin. This book folds out to reveal all the color and excitement of a traditional Chinese New Year celebration, complete with dancing dragon! Full color.
Add this book to your collection: The Dancing Dragon
The Year of the Rabbit
by Tao Nyeu
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Dial
Publisher’s synopsis: Six frolicking bunnies, two busy goats, and a very handy bear live harmoniously—though not without mishap—in this picture book charmer. What do the bunnies do when Mr. Goat drives by on his tractor and accidentally splashes them all over with mud? They hop over to Bear, who always knows just how to help—in this case, with the delicate cycle and a refreshing line dry! Two additional stories are even more surprising and giggle-worthy.
All’s well that ends well in this eye-catching, endearing treat of a book, full of funny details and exhilarating artistry.
Add this book to your collection: Bunny Days
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publisher’s synopsis: From author of Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink comes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it. Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s signature sense of humor here–there is also a subtle lesson for kids who don’t know when to let go of an argument. This is a smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side, Duck! Rabbit! makes it easy to agree on at least one thing: reading it again!
Add this book to your collection: Duck! Rabbit!
by Antoinette Portis
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Personal collection
Publisher’s synopsis: A box is just a box . . . unless it’s not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows.
Inspired by a memory of sitting in a box on her driveway with her sister, Antoinette Portis captures the thrill when pretend feels so real that it actually becomes real—when the imagination takes over and inside a cardboard box, a child is transported to a world where anything is possible.
Add this book to your collection: Not a Box
My 
by Eric Rohmann
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Square Fish
Publisher’s synopsis: When Mouse lets his best friend, Rabbit, play with his brand-new airplane, trouble isn’t far behind. From Caldecott Honor award winner Eric Rohmann comes a brand-new picture book about friends and toys and trouble, illustrated in robust, expressive prints.
Add this book to your collection: My Friend Rabbit
by Clare Turlay Newberry
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publisher’s synopsis: A bunny’s a delightful habit, No home’s complete without a rabbit.
Oliver is a tabby cat who is always the center of attention. Marshmallow is a baby rabbit who moves into Oliver’s home. At first Oliver does not welcome Marshmallow, but the little bunny’s charms are impossible to resist. This is the true story of how Oliver and Marshmallow become friends.
Add this book to your collection: Marshmallow
Books That Celebrate Chinese New Year & The Year of the Rabbit
The book list of 10 Kids Books For Chinese New Year was curated by Bianca Schulze. Discover more books like the picture books listed here by following our reviews and articles tagged with Chinese New Year.