Today on What to Read Wednesday I am highlighting Chinese New Year:
We're so glad you're here! I hope you will link up and look through the posts other are sharing at the end of this post as well. Last weeks favorite post was Family Friendly Valentines from Fun with a Message.
Ever since we studied Gladys Aylward in our homeschool two years ago, my two oldest are very interested in all things Chinese and Japanese. Butterfly asked for chopsticks for Christmas. She and Flower have learned to write their names in Chinese characters, and just this week we had to go find a site that would pronounce the Chinese audibly because they wanted to speak to the lady at the Chinese restaurant down the street.
We don't embrace the eastern religions and mysticism some Chinese still practice, and we have never celebrated the Chinese New Year up 'till now. This year however, I think February 19th will be another great opportunity to delve into the culture, language and traditions of that amazing country and feed our childrens' interest in a people God may call them to reach someday. Here are just a few of the things I found when I went searching for Chinese New Year books and activities.
Chinese New Year Activity Book by Karl Jones – Chinese New Year comes alive for readers in this bright, bold activity book with colorful craft ideas, recipes, games and mazes, stickers, and even press-out pieces to create a Chinese New Year festival street scene to display in your home.
Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin – 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.
Celebrate Chinese New Year by Carolyn Otto is the latest, timely addition to National Geographic’s popular Holidays Around the World series. The book is a lively invitation to revel in this child-friendly, national and international holiday. The book brings the historical and cultural aspects of the Chinese New Year into focus, and young readers experience the full flavor of the event.
Paper Crafts for Chinese New Year by Randel McGee – Do you want to make your own dancing dragon puppet? Dragon dances are an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Follow storyteller Randel McGee as he explores Chinese New Year in PAPER CRAFTS FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR. Learn to make LAI SEE envelopes, shadow puppets, a Chinese lantern, and more!
Chinese Red Envelopes – Red Money Envelopes with assorted gold colored calligraphy and designs. To be filled with money, gold or jewelry to give as special occasion gifts. Red is a lucky color to the Chinese. In China, it is believed that this red envelope will bring luck to the person who receives it and also to the person that gives it.
Chinese Paper Dragons – (these are decorations) Chinese Dragons are a benevolent symbol in Chinese culture. In Chinese daily language, excellent and outstanding people are compared to a dragon, while incapable people with no achievements are compared with other, less esteemed creatures, such as a worm.
I can't wait to see what you have to share this week! Anything family friendly and literature related is welcome to link up and/or comment below!
Link Up Announcements:
- This list has our topics for 2015, but you don't have to stick to that, anything reading and family related is welcome
- Our hosts will still share a themed selection each week, but our link up will be for anything literature related and family friendly – always.
- If you'd like to join us as a co-host in the new year, please contact Katie.
Tara @ Embark on the Journey
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Jeanae @ Just Jeanae
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Elizabeth says
Thank you for hosting!
Christie says
These are some great book choices. Thanks for sharing at Totally Terrific Tuesday!