Gammy's Lunar New Year Picks

 Some of these items contain affiliate links.  Meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  I share these with you because I genuinely enjoy these items and hope you will as well.

My Sweet Grands,

Before I came to live with you I spent 18 years teaching sixth graders about the eastern ancient civilizations.  I loved teaching.  Learning about how others lived, their customs and traditions, the advancements in science, math, language, religion, writing and art, plus the development of tools and technology is fascinating.

I most enjoyed getting to know the people of each civilization.

At this time of year I enjoyed teaching about the Ancient China civilization, specifically Lunar New Year.  I know you are years away from learning about this unit for your self, but its never to early to start.

Today I gathered up a few of my favorite books and some your parents have purchased for you to specifically read over the next 15 days.  

Lunar New Year by Hannah Eliot.  This is a beautifully illustrated board book introducing young children to the customs, traditions and history of Lunar New Year.  It is part of a series called "Celebrate The World".  I love that these books are teaching children about other cultures and customs in such a beautiful way.  

Lunar New Year

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang.  After watching her mother, father and grandmother make bao, Amy is determined to make the "PERFECT" bao.  But, she runs into a few obstacles.  The fun illustrations and engaging story make this a "perfect" read for any age.  Best part, it includes a recipe for bao.

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang.  Amy is back for another adventure.  This time she is trying to create a dragon, but she can't seem to get her ideas on paper.  I love that the story identifies the difference between Eastern and Western dragons as Amy allows her creativity to take shape.  

There are several other stories about Amy Wu, I'm excited to collect them all. 

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi.  Even though this story is about a Korean family it is still a wonderful read during Lunar New Year.  I love the strength of the main character as she finds her way living in a new country.

The Name Jar

D is For Dancing Dragon: A China Alphabet by Carol Crane.  I have a few of these alphabet books on different topics and LOVE them!  Each letter of the alphabet focuses on a different element of life in China, from ancient times to present day.  Each letter is introduced with a simple sentence or two accompanied by incredible engaging illustrations. What sets this book apart from others are the more detailed explanations of each topic, thus engaging more advance readers and adults.

D is for Dancing Dragon

Lon Po Po by Ed Young.  I was introduced to this story many years ago by our school librarian.  Since I was the only one who checked it out I was gifted the only copy we had.  As you read the story it will feel familiar as it is "A Red-Riding Hood Story From China."  My students loved it.  It was a Caldecott Medal winner in 1990.

Lon Po Po

I save the best for last:

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.  Grace Lin brings the rough farming life of Fruitless Mountain to life as she weaves the adventures Minli takes in hopes to change her families fortune.  The book is filled with lovable characters, colorful Chinese folktales and life lessons we can each learn.  I loved this book so much that I purchased a classroom set and each Lunar New Year we read the book.  

I have my youngest daughter to thank for this book recommendation.  It has been may favorite since my first read.  I rank it among my favorites, right next to  "Charlotte's Web".

I will hold off on sharing this book with you now, but I can't wait for us to read it together.  

Grace Lin has several other books.  I am in the process of reading her other titles.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

I get so excited to share part of my teaching life with you and can't wait till we get to learn all about the ancient civilizations together.  For now we get to read wonderful stories with beautiful illustrations together.

Love you,

Gammy

Grammy's Keepsake

My dad was a great reader or stories.  Each character had different voices which made them come to life.  When I became a mom I wanted to give those magical story moments to our children.  I fell in love with books that had wonderful rhymes, fun repetitive verse, silly characters or beautiful illustrations.  As the kids grew our favorites were placed in a box for their future family.  

Each morning and afternoon I get to revisit some of those favorite children's picture books as I read with Cutie E.  The rhymes I enjoyed years ago are the books I gravitate to each day.  At first it was hard to pick up new stories, I wanted to read  There's a Wocket in My Pocket or The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss or We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen over and over.  I have discovered new characters and stories that I love, but last Saturday while at Target I saw that they had Dr. Seuss books on sale in honor of his birthday.  I immediately picked up my all time favorite, There's a Wocket in My Pocket.  I love this story for all the reasons many of us are drawn to Dr. Seuss.  It is silly.  I love the rhyming verse and the play with sounds is so much fun.  So, I proudly checked out of the store with my new book in hand.

Today with the help of my daughter I personalized this book to be Grammys keepsake.  Inside I placed each of the boys handprints.  These little hands are precious.  They will grow, work, accomplish and serve so much over their lifetime, but I want to really remember how tiny they were before they get big and the moments we shared reading wonderful stories together. 

I am excited that as each new little addition joins our family I will place their tiny handprint in my book.  

I love being Grammy💖

Chinese New Year 2024

 Gung Hei Fat Choi!  "Wishing you good fortune". 

Today many people across the globe are celebrating the oldest holiday, Lunar New Year.  The holiday goes my many names, Chinese New Year, Spring Festival or Lunar New Year.  It marks the passage of the harvest season and celebrates the coming of spring.  Today many are celebrating by gathering with family and friends.

This holiday dates back over 4,000 years and is deeply rooted in legend and tradition.  The Legend of Nian describes a horrible beast that would come out of hiding once a year to scare people in the villages.  Nian was scared of three things: the color red, loud noises and fire.  The villagers would paint their doors red, hang spring couplets from their doorways, light big bon fires and set off fireworks.  Often they were successful and were able to keep Nian away.  

As a sixth grade teacher I thoroughly enjoyed lessons that allowed my students to immerse themselves in a new culture, way of thinking, government or art.  During the ancient China unit I would spend a couple of days on this beautiful holiday.  Students would learned about the history of the holiday, the legend of Nian and how they celebrate.  Following the lesson students were able to choose which traditional activities they would like do.  

Each student was asked to complete a spring couplet for a fellow classmate.  Inside each red construction paper square students would write good luck wishes, roll the paper like a firecracker, string them together and hang them from one another's lockers.  Students could then make dragon puppets, traditional lanterns, kites, water color a Chinese landscape or complete coloring pages.  All of their art hung in the 6th grade hall and on Chinese New Year day with us all dressed in red we celebrated the oldest holiday by opening our spring couplets. enjoying our red envelopes and fortune cookies (although they do not originate from China, rather San Francisco).

Some afternoons as I rock Cutie E for a nap I have reflected on what unit or lesson I would be covering at that time.  With today being Lunar New Year it is easy to remember the lessons, activities, art projects and anticipation of this great holiday.  I can't wait to teach my grand children all about what makes today special and all other civilizations.

Luckily I do not have to wait.  While our daughter was out of the country she came across some wonderful books I wanted to share with you today.  These sweet stories introduce children to different cultures, holidays, families and foods at a young age with adorable art work and great storytelling.

Lunar New Year by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Alina Chao

I love this board book!  It captures the history, importance of family, legend and celebrations of Lunar New Year in a way that is easy for children to understand.  The adorable art work adds to the story in a soft colorful way.  I recommended this book to a friend who is completing her student teaching.  The story is wonderful whether the child is an infant or middle schooler.

Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee

This adorable story is about food, family and tradition.  In our family every tradition or holiday is tied to food.  Just ask my kids, the first thing they remember is the yummy foods we ate.  In this story the adorable main character is anxiously awaiting her Bee-bim Bop or "mixed-up rice".  I appreciated the simple sentences, repetitive phrases and fun text that goes with her excitement.  At the back of the book you will find a recipe for bee-bim bop, cooking directions, how to serve and the meaning of bee-bim bop.  Your whole family will enjoy this book.

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang, illustrated by Charlene Chua

Have you seen the movie "Crazy Rich Asians" and wished you could sit with Constance Wu's character Rachel Chu and learn from Nick's mother, aunties and grandmother how to make the perfect dumpling?  If you have or you just enjoy eating them then this book is for you.  Like many of us when we were young Amy wants to do things like the big people in her family.  That includes making the perfect dumpling.  Amy's family is patient as she learns what it takes to make that dumpling and to be patient as she learns.  The illustrations are bright and enhance the sweet story.  There is a recipe at the end, be sure to check out Amy's too empty, too fat or holey dumplings so you can get yours just right.

I love that my daughter found these books and thought it was important for her children to learn about other cultures at a young age.  I can't wait to expand on that as they get older. Below are a few videos you might also enjoy.

For now I will cherish the memories I have teaching 6th grade with Kim, Ash and Jenelle.  They were always supportive of my crazy ideas that involved all of the sixth graders.  To all my past sixth grade students, thank you for making each of these units so much fun to teach.  Enjoy Lunar New Year!

A few videos on Lunar New Year

How Asians Celebrate Lunar New Year Worldwide

Legend of Nian

Chinese New Year History