This is an informative story on Chinese new year traditions. As a Chinese Canadian reading this, I was familiar with some traditions but learned something new too! It’s a fun way to introduce Chinese traditions to kids and anyone else wanting to learn more. I also love the interactive component of this ‘lift the flap’ style book.

Cute book, very informative (although I don't know enough about the culture to verify if the information is correct or not), with gorgeous illustrations. Also like how interactive it is, due to all the flaps.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Very informative book in an easy to understand format. I love learning about other cultures. This is a great addition to a collection.

I have never left a negative review for anything by Quarto because their books are just so good, but this one is a big disappointment.

I am Chinese but am also a fan of Japanese culture. I can say that first of all, some of the information about Chinese culture in the book is inaccurate. Butterflies do not mean long life in Chinese culture. Butterflies and moths can sometimes represent ancestors who have passed away and come back to visit their families on earth. So, not even close to meaning "long life".

And Gomoku ( the name is enough to tell you that it is not Chinese at all ) originates in Japan in the Edo period. Putting it inside a book about Chinese culture is culture appropriation!

I could not even bear to read beyond the 6th page in the book as it infuriated me so much with its inaccuracies and blatant culture appropriation.

So, if you are a teacher looking for a book to teach children about Chinese culture, do NOT get this one.

This picture book is about the Lunar New Year Celebration (Chinese New Year). It is also a lift a flap book with a total of 144 flaps. The stroy follows Yue and her parents as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. She learns about cooking special foods, decorating for luck and even getting red envelopes always with even amounts of cash. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful. I only saw a digital copy and it would show the page in a normal layout and on the next page the flaps would be open. Under flaps would be things for luck, treats, and sometimes additional information. I learned that the Chinese Zodiac mythology is because a king invited all the animals to race and the twelve fastest are represented. My school district is actively encouraging diversifying school library collections to include other cultures and traditions. This would be a great addition. (My only concern is that flap books are easily damaged from over use.) Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group-Wide Eyed Editions for a temporary digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.

Book Blurb: Get ready for Lunar New Year, following a little girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival.

With non-fiction information about the significance of certain rituals, but told through the excited eyes of a child, this is a book to return to year after year in the run up to the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

Each of the 12 spreads will feature 12 lift flaps, 144 in total.

Review:
A beautiful and fun book to get into the festivities of Lunar New Year! The artwork is absolutely stunning and this is a great read for children to learn more about Lunar New Year!

*Thanks Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions, Wide Eyed Editions for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

First thoughts seeing the cover of this book were:
1. Holy cow! These illustrations are gorgeous!
2. Over 140 flaps?!?

Going into this book, I only knew minimal information about the Lunar New Year. This book changed that for sure! Even as a grown adult, I learned tons of new facts about LNY and the customs surrounding it! And can we talk about those illustrations for a second?!? I am a librarian, a parent, and lifelong reader, and these are some of the best, most detailed illustrations I have ever seen! I could probably read this book over and over and find something new every time! Just absolutely stunning!

I would recommend this book to anyone who may be looking to learn a bit about Lunar New Year. It would be absolutely perfect for teaching kids about holiday customs in various cultures, and the flaps and illustrations would definitely keep the kids engaged!

🧚🏻Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions, and author Vikki Zhang for providing me with a free advanced copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review!

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great way to introduce a new culture to many young children or even as a product to help explain the families culture to young children in their own tone. I liked the details in the illustrations and ‘flaps’, especially the presence of symbolism and the explanations of its importance throughout. I also think including a hunt for Shentuand and Yulein was a great touch and can help to keep children engaged so that they retain more information.

Favourite Quote:
"Even though we don’t see them, our ancestors spirits are always here and looking after us. We think about them a lot at this special time of year."

Yue and her parents are preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year. She's celebrated before but this will be her baby brother Ru's first time. As she works with her Mama and Baba, Yue learns about the customs and rituals which are celebrated annually. She welcomes relatives to her home as well as learning the importance of the Zodiac, cooking special food, and going out to see fireworks and parades. The red envelopes of the title are distributed as the family gathers together before a final outing ends the biggest Chinese festival of the year.

This a lovely book written and beautifully illustrated by Vikki Zhang which was informative in a way sure to engage even the youngest reader. Even though I read an advanced electronic copy the double page spreads were welcoming and the 144 pictures beneath the flaps were visible and added another level to this very enjoyable read.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent book for the classroom as well as home book collections which is informative and friendly in equal measure. Recommended.