My First Chinese New Year

by Karen Katz, Karen Katz (Illustrator)

Overview

Author-illustrator Karen Katz's My First Chinese New Year presents a warm and lively introduction to a special holiday that will make even the youngest reader want to start a Chinese New Year tradition!

Hooray! Hooray!

Soon it will be Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year is a time of new beginnings. Follow one little girl as she learns how to welcome the coming year and experience all the festivities surrounding it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250018687
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	12/11/2012
Series:	My First Holiday
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	390,503
Product dimensions:	7.98(w) x 8.82(h) x 0.16(d)
Lexile:	AD560L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Karen Katz has written and illustrated many books for children, including The Colors of Us, Can You Say Peace, My First Ramadan, Counting Kisses and Where is Baby’s Belly Button. Long inspired by folk art from around the world, she was inspired to write her first book, Over the Moon, when she and her husband adopted their daughter from Guatemala, and she wanted to tell the story of welcoming Lena into their lives. Katz loves to paint and experiment with texture, color, collage and pattern. Besides an author and illustrator, she has been a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist and graphic designer. Katz and her family divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York.

Karen Katz has written and illustrated many books for children, including The Colors of Us, Can You Say Peace, My First Ramadan, Counting Kisses and Where is Baby’s Belly Button. Long inspired by folk art from around the world, she was inspired to write her first book, Over the Moon, when she and her husband adopted their daughter from Guatemala, and she wanted to tell the story of welcoming Lena into their lives. Katz loves to paint and experiment with texture, color, collage and pattern. Besides an author and illustrator, she has been a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist and graphic designer. Katz and her family divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York.

Editorial Reviews

The tale radiates warmth and quietly builds up to the dramatic dragon dance and the traditional greeting of ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy!' The collage illustrations, cut from paper with colorful Asian designs, also include paint and other media to capture the joyful celebrants. This is a clear introduction to the holiday that young children will enjoy in one-on-one or group read-alouds.” —School Library Journal

“This one's a winner.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The simple text and colorful folkloric illustrations with vivid patterns make this a good book to share with young children.” —School Library Journal on My First Kwanzaa

“An ebullient tribute for families whose members may have come from a faraway place.” —Publishers Weekly on Over the Moon

“Katz's pencil-and-gouache pictures joyously convey the range of human pigmentation. Positive and useful.” —School Library Journal on The Colors of Us

“Bold illustrations celebrate diversity with a child's open-hearted sensibility and a mother's love.” —Kirkus Reviews on The Colors of Us

From the Publisher

Karen Katz introduces readers to the traditions and importance of this holiday in China with My First Chinese New Year. "Red means good luck and happiness in China" reads the text, as mother and child hang patterned red tissues for decoration. The girl narrator "sweep[s] away the bad luck from last year" with her younger sister and makes an altar "to honor our ancestors" with her grandfather, among other activities sure to inspire readers and their kin. The family enjoying a banquet and a colorful parade round out the fun. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

A girl and her family celebrate the Chinese New Year in Katz's engaging offering. Throughout, holiday traditions and symbolism are clearly and simply explained. "Red means good luck and happiness in China," the girl says, as she and her mother hang colorful banners throughout the house. Later, purchasing plum and quince blossom with her father, she says, "The tiny buds remind us that new things can always grow." With her grandmother, the girl makes soup "to bring good health." Katz uses bright colors and energetic patterns in her collage and mixed-media illustrations to capture the excitement that surrounds the celebration. At the New Year's Day parade, a multicultural crowd lines the street, reflecting the diversity of urban America. Gung Hay Fat Choy! This one's a winner. (author's note) (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews