The Year of the Dragon
Learning about the Chinese (Lunar) New Year
If you have been here for a minute, you know that dragons are a hot (pun intended) topic in my household these days. We can often be found galloping off on our valiant steeds — one inflatable bouncy horse toy and two triangular modular couch cushions — clad in (invisible) armor, to fight the evil dragon and protect the kingdom. My youngest especially relishes playing the role of the evil dragon with her terrifying claws and very convincing roar. Last Friday, for movie night, we watched Raya and the Last Dragon and spent at least half a week playing we were Sisu and Raya.
Imagine our collective joy in finding out that we are now entering the Year of the Dragon! I am piggybacking on our love of medieval dragons to spearhead a family opportunity to learn more about the Chinese dragon (like how Chinese dragons controlled the rain and waterways - not fire-breathing beasts!) and the Chinese New Year.
This year, the Chinese New Year’s celebration kicks off this Saturday, February 10th. I realize that the Lunar New Year is not specifically restricted to China, and is celebrated by many cultures around the world, but for our expanded learning we are going to focus on celebrations that take place in China.
For our little family, I hope to read more books and stories written by Chinese authors and centered on Chinese characters and Lunar New Year traditions. We will supplement our reading by making some paper lanterns, cooking up some New Year’s dumplings (Jiaozi, 饺子) for prosperity and wealth (though I may cheat and use store bought wrappers as last time I made the wrappers at home it was a true labor of love - emphasis on labor), and some longevity noodles (yī miàn, 伊面) which, true to name, are said to give you a long life.
LIT TIP
Take the path your kids have created, and create little branches that lead to new destinations. My kids are all about knights and dragons, so I created a branch using their love of dragon lore, to lead us into learning about the Lunar New Year. This branching can come from slowing down and thinking creatively about whatever it is your kids are passionate about. Create forks in the path of learning for your kids so the world becomes an infinite place to explore!
FROM THE STAX
DRAGON NOODLE PARTY: A STORY OF CHINESE ZODIAC ANIMALS by Ying Chang Compestine Illustrated by Paula Pang
All the Chinese Zodiac animals are headed up the mountain for a celebration, and each brings an ingredient to make dragon beard noodles, a popular dish in Northern China. Long noodles are often eaten for celebrations, like birthday parties and the New Year as they represent a long and happy life. Y’all already know how I feel about a book that includes a recipe — I love anything that can get my kids excited to try a new food, and we especially love noodle dishes. This book, with its simple and adorable storyline and pictures, is especially easy to love and includes an appendix with a recipe for dragon beard noodles and a brief introduction to the Chinese Zodiac.
PLAYING WITH LANTERNS by Wang Yage Illustrated by Zhu Chengliang Translated by Helen Wang
Zhao Di lives in the north where it is often snowy for the New Year. She and her friends can’t wait to go out and light their paper lanterns for the festivities. Zhao Di and her friends celebrate the New Year for the full fifteen days, and the book gives details of how Zhao Di and her friends get to celebrate, mostly centering on their beautiful paper lanterns. The artwork and the story carry a tone of levity, wonder, and celebration. It feels like an authentic peek into the life of a child living and celebrating the Chinese New Year, and it carries magic into our world through its pages.
THE CHINESE NEW YEAR DRAGON NIAN by Virginia Lou-Hagan illustrated by Timothy Banks
Mei is scared of the arrival of spring because it is the season when Nian, the beast from the water cave, comes to eat their livestock and family. When a warrior visits Mei in her dreams and tells her she must defeat the dragon she wonders “Why me?” but steps valiantly into the role and uses her bravery and her cunning to save her village. Based on a traditional Chinese story of Nian, this modern retelling features a strong and clever girl (win!) and also utilizes the story to explain some of the traditions surrounding the Chinese New Year - like firecrackers, wearing red, and lighting lanterns. The beautiful illustrations and heroic story are sure to delight.
AMY WU AND THE PATCHWORK DRAGON by Kat Zhang Illustrated by Charlene Chua
By the same beloved team that wrote Amy Wu and The Perfect Bao (which I previously reviewed here) comes a sweet tale of Amy drawing pictures of dragons in her class after her teacher reads a book on dragons. Just hinting at a comparison between Eastern and Western dragons, this book can teach kids to appreciate how different people can bring different ideas and backgrounds to the table and is an excellent way to introduce the idea of the Chinese dragon to young children. This book is a creative treat - with extra glitter.
OUR WORLD OF DUMPLINGS by Francie Dekker Illustrated by Sarah Jung
Sylvia is excited for dumpling day! Follow Sylvia and her friends as they go from apartment to apartment to make and enjoy every different type of dumpling represented by the many cultures represented by residents in her building. Sylvia and her friends make enough different variations of dumplings from all around the globe for an apartment-wide dumpling party. Not about Chinese New Year and definitely not about dragons, this book does include jiao zi dumplings - which are enjoyed on Chinese New Year in the northern provinces and are said to usher in wealth and good fortune. Reading this book will also usher in good fortune as it will teach children to celebrate diversity and make your mouth water with all the different kinds of dumplings that I now must immediately find recipes for!
FOR DISCUSSION
I’d love to know your thoughts and have an open discussion about this book (and others like it) drop your ideas in the comments below.
LEGEND OF THE CHINESE DRAGON by Marie Sellier, Catherine Louis & Wang Fei
The beautiful woodcut art and Chinese character calligraphy in this book make it read like an ancient folk tale - but upon some light research, it seems to be a legend fabricated by the (French) author instead of one steeped in Chinese tradition or lore. I feel conflicted by this, as I would rather uplift and share stories and legends from Chinese Mythology. I love a good imaginative story that borrows ideas from traditional legends (i.e. The Gruffalo) but why make it seem as though it is an ancient story from a specific culture if it is not? Is this appropriation? Is it misleading?
That is all for this week! Happy reading y’all and hope you join me in some Chinese New Year celebrations like paper lanterns, dumpling eating, and (of course) stories of dragons.
This is a great list, Alexis!
Can also recommend: The Yin-Yang Sisters and the Dragon Frightful by Nancy Tupper Ling, The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash, and Raising Dragons by Jerdine Nolen. And the movie The Wish Dragon on Netflix.
LOVE all these recommendations! I loved Playing With Lanterns. I thought it was such a cool peek into what it's like to celebrate in the rural Chinese countryside. Another favorite has been The Nian Monster by Andrea Wang.