BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR

Elaine Wang deliberately presents this endearing story in which a Chinese American girl shares the details of her New Year celebration. Listeners meet Meimei as she and her family prepare for the Lunar New Year. Wang's Meimei dutifully describes her family's customs and rituals: sweeping the old year from the house, using firecrackers to scare away the previous year, and using lanterns to light the new year's appearance. Cheering erupts when Auntie paints eyes on their beloved dragon. The earnest conclusion reveals that the Lunar New Year is China's most celebrated holiday, and dragon's eyes are painted to chase away the sun. Very young listeners and their families will enjoy this festive tale. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2024]