Lunar New Year books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate
When is Lunar New Year? Saturday 6 February 2027. 6 February 2027 begins the Year of the Goat.
Lunar New Year starts the year in the traditional lunar calendar, in late January or February. Often called Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, it's also celebrated as Tแบฟt in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea. Each year is named after one of 12 zodiac animals.
Who celebrates Lunar New Year, and books for each
Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and East Asian culture
Families clean the house to sweep away bad luck, hang red decorations, have a big reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, give children red envelopes of money, set off firecrackers and watch lion and dragon dances.
๐ Free guideBringing In the New Year
Grace Lin
a family gets ready, ending in a fold-out dragon
Questions to ask → View on Amazon โ
๐ Free guideA New Year's Reunion
Yu Li-Qiong
a girl's dad comes home once a year for New Year
Questions to ask → View on Amazon โ
๐ Free guideThe Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac
Dawn Casey
how the 12 animals got their years
Questions to ask → View on Amazon โ
๐ Free guideRuby's Chinese New Year
Vickie Lee
Ruby travels to see her grandmother, meeting the zodiac animals
Questions to ask → View on Amazon โ
๐ Free guideDragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book
Joan Holub
flaps and rhymes for toddlers
Questions to ask → View on Amazon โ
Questions to ask while you read
Use these with any of the Lunar New Year books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.
- What is the family in the story getting ready for?
- Which part of Lunar New Year would you most like to try, and why?
- How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
- Is anything in the story like something your family does?
- What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Lunar New Year?
Ways to celebrate Lunar New Year with children
- Make a paper lantern or a dragon puppet from a paper bag.
- Find out which zodiac animal everyone in the family is.
- Cook dumplings together and hide a coin in one (carefully!).
- Make red envelopes with a kind note inside instead of money.
Lunar New Year picture books at a glance
All the Lunar New Year books on this page: Bringing In the New Year (Grace Lin), A New Year's Reunion (Yu Li-Qiong), The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac (Dawn Casey), Ruby's Chinese New Year (Vickie Lee), Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book (Joan Holub).
Questions parents ask about Lunar New Year
Is it Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year?
Both are used. 'Lunar New Year' includes the many countries that celebrate, such as Vietnam and Korea; 'Chinese New Year' and 'Spring Festival' refer to China.
What is the story of the zodiac race?
The Jade Emperor held a race across a river, and the order the 12 animals finished became the order of the years. The clever rat rode on the ox's back and jumped off to win.
Related festivals: Mid-Autumn Festival · Holi
All festivals, by month and by faith →
Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.