Inside: The best New Year's books for kids.
Happy New Year! I've rounded up a collection of fun books to help ring in the new year. Whether you're a parent, a grandparent or a teacher, these books will be perfect to read either leading up to New Year's Eve or later when you're back at school.
I've curated a lovely collection of multi-cultural books that will help broaden children's perspectives and perhaps have them thinking about their own New Year's resolutions.
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Written by Marilyn Singer
Pictures by Susan L. Roth
Lee & Low Books, 2018
Ages 7-10
Poetry, Multi-Cultural, New Year's
Synopsis (From Amazon): In many places around the globe, the new year starts on January 1. But
not everywhere! Chinese New Year is celebrated in January or February.
Iranians observe Nowruz in March. For Thai people, Songkran occurs in
April. Ethiopians greet the new year at Enkutatash in September. All
these diverse cultural, regional, and religious observances, and many
others, have deep-rooted traditions and treasured customs. Every month of the year, somewhere in the world people celebrate with joy and good wishes for a happy new year.
Written by Pat Miller
Pictures by Kathi Ember
Albert Whitman & Co, 2017
Ages 4-8
Resolutions, New Year's
Synopsis (From Amazon):
Squirrel knows that New Year's Day is a great day for making
resolutions! But what does it mean to make a resolution, anyway? As she
makes visits around the forest she learns about New Year's resoltions
and helps her friends get started on theirs. If only she can think of a
resolution of her very own...
Written by Natasha Wing
Pictures by Amy Wummer
Grosset & Dunlap, 2009
Ages 3-8
Poetry, Celebration
Synopsis (From Amazon): Another title in Natasha Wing's bestselling Night Before series!
It's the night before New Year's, and the whole family is determined to
stay up until midnight! Everyone?s stocked up on sparkly streamers and
festive party hats, but after a night filled with card games and too
many cupcakes, the little ones are getting sleepy. . . Can they make it
until the clock strikes twelve?
P. Bear's New Year's Party
Owen Paul Lewis
Tricycle Press, 2004
Ages 3-6
New Year's, Celebration, Counting
Synopsis (From Amazon): A dapper polar bear has an elegant New Year's party and invites all of
his animal friends—one whale, two horses, three cows, and so forth until
midnight. As each party animal arrives, children learn to count . . .
AND tell time. Teachers rate this as one of the best counting books
available.
Written by Yu Li-Qiong
Pictures by Zhu Cheng-Liang
Candlewick, 2013
Ages 3-7
Parents, Asia, Chinese New Year
Synopsis (From Amazon): This poignant, vibrantly illustrated tale, which won the prestigious
Feng Zikai Chinese Children’s Picture Book Award in 2009, is sure to
resonate with every child who misses relatives when they are away — and
shows how a family’s love is strong enough to endure over time and
distance.
Carolyn Otto
National Geographic Children's Books, 2009
Ages 3-6
Holidays, Asia, Chinese New Year
Synopsis (From Amazon): Children have never had so many reasons to learn how Chinese people
everywhere ring in the new and ring out the old. As China takes its new
place on the global stage, understanding Chinese culture and values
becomes ever more essential to our next generation.
Written by Gail Piernas-Davenport
Pictures by Marion Eldridge
Albert Whitman & Company, 2007
Ages 4-8
Celebrations, African-American
Synopsis (From Amazon): Shanté Keys loves New Year's Day! But while Grandma fixed chitlins,
baked ham, greens, and cornbread, she forgot the black-eyed peas! Oh
no--it'll be bad luck without them! So Shanté sets out to borrow some
from the neighbors.
Grace Lin
Knopf Books, 2008
Ages 3-7
Chinese New Year, Asian-American
Synopsis (From Amazon): This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare
for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they
sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make
dumplings. Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with
family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining
lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade to help bring in the Lunar New
Year. And the dragon parade in our book is extra long–on a surprise
fold-out page at the end of the story. Grace Lin’s artwork is a bright
and gloriously patterned celebration in itself! And her story is
tailor-made for reading aloud.
Written by Eduard Morike
Pictures by Emmeline Pidgen
Far Far Away Books, 2015
Ages 5-7
Fairy Tales, Myth
Synopsis (From Amazon): On a cold winter’s day Eduard Mörike took a walk with the young daughter
of his friend. While stamping through the snow he told her the story of
Sylvester and the New Year, a story which left a lasting impression on
the young girl. When she was an adult, she wrote it down and so it has
been passed on, creating a new tradition—the reading of this book on New
Year’s Eve. This beautiful picture book is inspired by that fairytale
told to a little girl more than 100 years ago. Originally told in
German, and passed down through generations, this classic story is
presented in a truly charming lovely incantation.
Written by Eve Bunting
Pictures by Josee Masse
Sleeping Bear Press, 2015
Ages 6-7
Friends, Celebration, New Year's
Synopsis (From Amazon): Welcome to Frog and his world. He enjoys nothing better than spending
time floating on his pond or visiting with his friends. He appreciates
the simpler things in life and would prefer that things stay just the
way they are--nice and peaceful. From acclaimed children's writer Eve
Bunting comes a beginning reader series featuring the delightful Frog
and his friends Rabbit, Possum, Raccoon, and Squirrel.
You can DOWNLOAD more New Year's book suggestions and activities here:
2 Fabulous Chinese New Year's books and activities
Happy New Year wishing wands and art experiment
7 Free January Poems
Writing Resolutions party-style
Thanks for stopping by!
Check out all my book reviews for kids!
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