FICTION

Welcoming the Lunar New Year: Festivals of the World

by Lara Lee (text) & illus. by Natelle Quek
Candlewick. (Festivals of the World). Jan. 2026. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781536251623. PreS-Gr 1
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1–Ren and his family celebrate the Lunar New Year as a family and with their community. Preparations that start the night before include making peanut cookies and sweeping; everyone has something to do. When the dragon costume for the New Year parade is damaged, Ren and his mother visit a variety of stores to get the materials needed to fix the dragon so they can have it for the parade the following evening. As Ren and his mother travel from store to store in the city, they learn about how ­people from Indonesia, China, and Vietnam celebrate the New Year. Digital artwork by Quek (She Kept Dancing: The True Story of a ­Professional Dancer with a Limb Difference) showcases delicious looking food and more, and back matter is comprised of a recipe and a craft that supplements Lee’s picture book debut.
VERDICT This story ­reflects the inclusivity of the Lunar New Year and the love people have for one another as they celebrate a holiday that brings the community together.
Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau , Dec 01, 2025

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