February is an event packed month. Yesterday began the celebration of the year of the rabbit in the Chinese New Year celebration. Here are two books to help you celebrate the holiday.
by Kate Waters, Martha Cooper (Illustrator)“Describes six-year-old Ernie Wong's preparations, at home and in school, for the Chinese New Year celebrations and his first public performance of the lion dance. Ernie's father, a kung fu master, choreographs The Lion Dance, the center of the community celebration and a major tourist attraction. This year, Ernie dances in the place of honor under the lion's head. Color photographs depict private and public festivities.”
This information book looks at Ernie and his family as they prepare for an important day in Ernie's life. The images of real people and their home and city connect children to Ernie and invite comparisons to special holidays they celebrate with their own families.
by Karen Chinn, Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator), Ying-Hwa Hu (Illustrator)
“Sam receives four bright red envelopes decorated with shiny gold emblems as part of the traditional Chinese New Year celebration, each containing a dollar. He accompanies his mother through Chinatown - and realizes that the "lucky money" won't buy as much as he had hoped. His mood is further sobered after an encounter with a man he stumbles upon in the street. He nobly, though not surprisingly, concludes that his four dollars would be best spent on the barefoot stranger. Detailed descriptions of the sights and sounds of the Chinese New Year celebration build in contrast to Sam's growing introspection, becoming even more dramatic and adding to the depth of the story.”
Book quote: "Sam counted out four dollars. Boy did he feel rich! His parents said he didn't have to buy a notebook or socks as usual. This year he could spend his lucky money his way!"
A story that will stay in your heart and the heart of every child who wishes for more; understands how much they have and reaches out to give.
Grandma Lu,
ReplyDeleteMy friend, a kindergarten teacher, thanked me for passing on information about your blog. She said she smiled when she read your entry because she had the two books in her lap ready to use. Again I am grateful for cousins and friends.
Gail