Year of the Dragon: Book, Song, Craft

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Here's my Chinese paper lantern tutorial for kids.

And here's a song for storytime, or just because.

Check out these engaging picture books to ring in the Year of the Dragon.

For toddlers:

Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin. Lin has written several books about a Chinese-American family based on her own childhood.

For pre-school:

My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz. The fun anticipation and celebration of Chinese New Year traditions are shown as a little girl prepares with her family.

For history:

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Anne Wilson. Better for ages 5 and up, this retells the story of how the Chinese Zodiac calendar was made, thirteen animals racing to for the honor of being first. Friendship and betrayal deepen the meaning behind this exciting tale.

For the beautiful dragon:

The Dancing Dragon by Marcia K. Vaughan, illustrated by Stanley Wong Hoo Foon. These gorgeous illustrations capture the beauty of the new year parade, with an 8-page diorama of the dancing dragon.

We're having a Chinese-ish dinner, and making lanterns and fans tonight. Really, we should've had new year's eve dinner last night, with long noodles and other lucky foods, but clementines and stir-fry rice tonight will have to do.

Here's to a prosperous 2012!