Picture Books for Lunar New Year

I originally had this post scheduled to go live on the 22nd. In light of the tragedy in California, and out of respect for the victims and community, I chose to delay it. Lunar New Year traditions continue for 15 days after the new year, and holiday stories can be shared any time of year. But especially now, as statistics make clear that AAPI hate has been increasing over the last three years, it is evermore important to share stories honoring Asian cultures and traditions and sharing Asian American people in their full humanity.

Chinese New Year starts January 22nd. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. I learned from Maya Lê (@maistorybooklibrary) that in the Vietnamese zodiac it’s the year of the cat. The zodiacs are the same except two times: rabbit/cat & ox/water buffalo.

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18 Picture Books for Lunar New Year

Baby Loves Lunar Phases on Chinese New Year (available on epic!)

Bringing in the New Year

Chloe’s Lunar New Year

Dragon Dancer (available on epic!)

Dragon Noodle Party

Friends Are Friends, Forever

The Great Race: Story of the Chinese Zodiac

Grumpy New Year

I Dream of Popo

New Year

The Nian Monster

Nian, The Chinese New Year Dragon: A Beastly Tale (available on epic!)

Playing with Lanterns

Ruby’s Chinese New Year

A Sweet New Year for Ren

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day: Seollal, a Korean Celebration of the Lunar New Year

The Tray of Togetherness (available on epic!)

Year of the Cat

Some Additional Choices About the Lunar New Year Holiday

The Animals of Chinese New Year
PoPo’s Lucky Chinese New Year (available on epic!)
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas (available on epic!)
New Clothes for New Year’s Day

A Gift
A New Year’s Reunion
Chinese New Year Colors
Tết Together
This is Tết!