Everyone is invited to experience the Lunar New Year and to understand what it means to those who celebrate. It’s the eve of the Lunar New Year and one boy is excited to join in with the celebrations that Baba says have happened across the world for thousands of years. The lanterns are out, decorations have been hung, delicious food has been made, the house has been cleaned and everything is ready for the arrival of the dragon. A knock at the door…could it be the dragon that everyone has been waiting for… New Year celebrations do no just happen on the eve of December 31st. The Lunar New Year, that is based on the lunar calendar, is the most important holiday in China and is celebrated by billions of people around the world. Living in a wonderfully diverse and multicultural world it is imperative that children learn about, appreciate and embrace other cultures and practices, books like Our Family Dragon are fantastic in supporting the next generation in becoming global citizens. Full of warmth and excitement, family and fun, mouth-watering food and good-times, this gentle and illuminating exploration of the Lunar New Year is perfect for sharing with children in the build up to the festivities. Centred around a family and told through the eyes of a young boy, readers are welcomed into a home to join in the celebrations and to understand the significance of family, tradition, heritage and culture. All children deserve to feel seen and have their experiences recognised in the books they read and Our Family Dragon is a fabulous story that will bring smiles to those who celebrate the Lunar New Year. For other children it is a chance to listen to or read a story that tells them what it is like for a child who celebrates and to understand, to believe and to accept those experiences and events even if they are unfamiliar and different to their own.
Beautifully written, Rebecca’s lyrical words are a joyous mix of fiction and fact, making for a story that is generously filled with information about foods, clothes, parades, red envelopes, games, songs and the meaning of the different animal years. Cai’s heart-warming illustrations bring the party to life and really capture the excitement and happiness that everyone is feeling. Each page reveals a little something and there are plenty of details for readers to spot. The wonderfully inclusive final page, that will have everyone eager to celebrate the Lunar New Year, gives children the chance to pass on good wishes in their native language. The most delightful of celebrations! With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review. Recommended for 3+.
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