Bringing In the New Year
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 the book is extra long–a surprise fold-out page at the end of the story. This story is tailor-made for reading aloud.
Reading level: Preschool – 3
Pages: 40 pg
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (January 8, 2008)
ISBN: 0375837450, 978-0375837456
Behind the Story
This story is based on the many celebrations of Chinese New Year that Grace had with her family. You can read more about them in her books The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat.
Activities:
Bringing In the New Year
Make a Chinese New Year Banner
Make special decorations to welcome in the Chinese New Year just like in "The Year of the Dog" and "Bringing in the New Year". Using red construction paper, black and gold paint, and Grace's instructions HERE have students make their own New Year banners with Chinese calligraphy. Explain calligraphy and Chinese New Year's customs to the students.
Make a Paper Cut
Using Grace's templates, make a Chinese Paper Cut to decorate your home for the Lunar New Year!
Make a (safe) Chinese New Year Firecracker!
Using bubblewrap, make a fun, fire-free firecracker to loudly bring the New Year in!
Draw a Dragon
Draw a Chinese Dragon using letters!