Chinese New Year

Rookie Read-About Holidays

by David F. Marx

This fact-filled Rookie Read-About Holiday book introduces the youngest readers (Ages 3-6) to Chinese New Year. Colorful photos and very simple nonfiction text encourage children to read on their own as they take an in-depth look at the traditions and festivities of this holiday.

Genres: Nonfiction, China, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[A Allen]

This was one of many books I looked at for my classroom's Chinese New Year celebration lesson plan. I didn't like that page 5 of the book starts "China is a large country in Asia. It is on the other side of the world from North America." The book could've just as easily included a map that actually showed readers where China is located. The book then goes on to explain that Chinese New Year happens in January or February but without explanation. The book doesn't talk about the Lunar calendar or why the holiday occurs when it does. Ugh. I wouldn't use this one or recommend it.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter]

Simple nonfiction with the basics of the Chinese/Lunar New Year celebration. Could be used as an opening to a unit to pique interest or start building background knowledge.

[Dew Park]

Simple nonfiction with the basics of the Chinese/Lunar New Year celebration.

[Madison Gault]

Chinese
Grade: 1-2
Lexile Level: 280

[Bonnie Chang]

APA: Marx, David F.. Chinese New Year. New York: Children's Press, 2002. Print.
Subgroup: Chinese New Year
Genre: Informational Book
Language: English
Relate: This book allows children to view actual accurate events throughout Chinese New Year.
Synopsis: This is an informational book that illustrates through photographs of Chinese New Year. Students are able to see the calendar dates of when Chinese New Year takes place and the traditions celebrated. Chinese New Year is a week-long event and the book takes the reader through each of the important events. Such events include big family gatherings and feasts, cleaning of the house, women traveling back home on one specific day, exchange of gifts, lanterns and fireworks that bring in the New Year.

[Chelsea]

If a student came to America from China, this book might provide some relevant connections for him/her. The book basically tells about different customs and ways that people celebrate the Chinese New Year, with real-life pictures to illustrate. The teacher could ask the student to bring in pictures/artifacts from their own Chinese New Year celebrations. He/she could tell the class the Chinese words for different items and customs, while the teacher can build their English. This might spark the student's interest, make them feel valued, and help develop confidence and a positive attitude towards learning English.

[Larissa]

Marx, David F. Chinese New Year. New York: Children's, 2002. Print. Ages 8-10. This simple, easy read is a book about Chinese New Year that talks about how the culture is and what happens during this event. It is something that is super simple and something that describes when it happens, how it happens as well as the events that go on. This book wasn't my favorite, I did like it, but it wasn't something super extravagent. It was a book that made me think and reflect what it was like to be able to understand someone else's culture and diversity. I was able to relate to this because my roommate is Chinese and this book reminded me of her.

[Theresa]

Chinese New Year
Marx, David F.
a holiday resource
early reader