Get ready to celebrate The Chinese New Year on February 7 and welcome the Year of the Rat. According to World Book Online Reference Center (which you can use at Power Library through our website ), "the Chinese New Year is the most important festival of the Chinese calendar. The date of the Chinese New Year is based on the cycles of the moon." Spending time with family is a big part of this holiday. "Places are set at the table for absent family members to symbolize the unity of the family. Special foods that symbolize good fortune for the new year are served. For example, rice cakes, called nian gao, are a popular food for New Year’s Eve dinners. The Chinese word nian means year, and gao means high. This food signifies achievement in the new year. Children bow to their parents and grandparents to wish them a long life. Gifts of money in red envelopes are given to children to wish them luck and wealth in the new year." Another popular part of the holiday includes special dances with dragon costumes as well as parades in many Chinese communities.
Chen, Tung-Ling Li. "Chinese New Year." World Book Online Reference Center. 2008. [Place of access.] 3 Feb. 2008
We have a variety of picture books, fiction and non-fiction books about Chinese New Year and the Chinese Culture. You can even find out more about rats. Check out our online card catalog to reserve a book or stop by Youth Services and we'd be happy to help you find some great reads about this exciting holiday. Have a prosperous New Year!
http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html
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