  | Chinese New Year helper Author: Compestine, Ying Chang | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Jia, eager to help with Chinese New Year preparations at her family's restaurant, is disappointed when told she is too young until she unexpectedly becomes a vital part of the lion dance performance.
| Illustrator: | Hsu, Ginnie |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (10/15/24)
School Library Journal (00/12/24)
Booklist (09/15/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 09/30/2024 A child attempts to assist with Chinese New Year celebrations in this bustling holiday picture book. As Jia’s family prepares for the new year at their business, Chinatown’s biggest restaurant, Jia offers assistance to each member. But every time-in the kitchen, dining room, and even outside-the child is met with the same answer: "You are too young." In a sour mood, Jia continues to feel disappointment as friends and family arrive, and even a sumptuous feast ("dumplings, fish, meatballs, rice cakes, and eight treasure rice puddings") isn’t enough to lift the mood. But when the lion dancers arrive, clad in a brilliant golden costume, Jia is thrilled-and even more so when the lion dancers swoop the child up and into the festivities. Against the backdrop of Hsu’s gouache and digital art, which depicts myriad cultural details, Compestine uses easy, descriptive prose to detail a series of traditions while affirming the power of involving children at any age. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note concludes. Ages 3-7. (Dec.) - Copyright 2024
Booklist - 09/15/2024 Jia would like nothing more than to help at her family’s restaurant as they get ready for a New Year's celebration, but every time she tries to participate, they say she’s too young. Sulking at the table, Jia doesn’t even try any of the delicious, varied dishes laid out and instead waits for the lion dancers to arrive. When they do, everyone discovers that she’s just the perfect size for an important part of the performance. Hsu’s boldly colored, predominantly red-and-gold illustrations nicely capture the celebratory atmosphere of a Chinese restaurant in a vibrant, multicultural community, especially when the energetic lion dancers arrive and perform for the crowd. Jia’s expressive body language and facial expressions clearly communicate her justified frustration at not being taken seriously by the adults in her life, and little kids who are tired of being told they’re too small will surely relate. Culturally specific details will be recognizable to families who celebrate the Chinese New Year, and Jia’s emotional journey will make this doubly useful for SEL collections. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
