lunar new year books for kids

Tomorrow, millions of people around the world will be celebrating Lunar New Year. Although it’s commonly called Chinese New Year, there are other Asian communities who also observe this important holiday with their own set of traditions.

Since there are only a handful of picture books about Korean Lunar New Year in particular, I was especially happy to see this new title by Michelle W. Park and Hyewon Yum.

In Let’s Celebrate Korean New Year! (Random House BFYR, 2024), we meet Madeleine and Eloise, two sisters getting ready for their Lunar New Year party. As the big sister, Madeleine takes the lead in briefing Eloise about party attire, food, and games.

The story opens with Madeleine trying to rouse Eloise at dawn. Sleepy Eloise groans in protest, but Madeleine is raring to go. “First, we need hanboks!” She explains they need to wear traditional Korean clothing for the party, then helps Eloise put on her chima (skirt) and colorful jeogori (jacket).

Next, they race downstairs, where they see that their mom has already laid the charae-sang (ceremonial table) with delicious foods such as apples, oranges and persimmons as an offering to their ancestors. Before Eloise can grab an orange, Madeleine pulls her into the kitchen to help wrap dumplings.

Madeleine demonstrates how to fill a dumpling wrapper with a mixture of pork, glass noodles, garlic, scallions and soy sauce before carefully folding it. Unfortunately, Eloise’s earnest attempts aren’t very successful, with a ripped wrapper and too much filling. Impatient Madeleine takes over, assuring a disappointed Eloise that she can help next time.

Continue reading →

Today we’re welcoming back NYC-based author, illustrator, book designer and art director Aram Kim to talk about her brand new picture book, Tomorrow is New Year’s Day: Seollal, a Korean Celebration of the Lunar New Year (FSG, 2022).

This year, Lunar New Year falls on Sunday, January 22. While many of us may think of Lunar New Year as Chinese New Year, there are actually other Asian communities (including Vietnamese and South Korean) who also observe this important holiday at the same time, each with their own set of traditions.

I was especially happy to see Tomorrow is New Year’s Day because I don’t know of any other picture books about Korean Lunar New Year. Aram has created a much needed, charmingly illustrated, truly delightful story centered around family, togetherness, and the joy of celebrating age-old cultural traditions.

Since it’s her favorite day of the year, Mina is excited to share the customs of Seollal with all her classmates. Dressed in traditional clothes (hanbok), she shows them how to play games, do sebae (a special bow to respect elders), and how to make tteokguk (rice cake soup). She’s proud to have both parents there to help, but her little brother Miro is in a bad mood. Will he spoil her special day?

I love Aram’s colorful, emotive illustrations. You can just feel the happiness and excitement of Mina’s classmates (as well as Miro’s obstinance), and there are lots of interesting details for eager eyes to discover in each picture.

She varies single and double page spreads (some with speech bubbles) with step-by-step action sequences, displaying a masterful use of scale and cool perspectives (check out the yutnori board game illo). There’s also an illustrated recipe! Dare I say, I find her art absolutely adorable (Cat on the Bus fans have surprises in store too).

Let’s find out more from Aram, who was born in Ohio, grew up in South Korea, then later returned to the U.S. to study art and work in children’s book publishing.

Saehae bok mani badeuseyo! Happy New Year!