Product Description

A Chinese-American boy's family observes a cherished tradition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #643957 in Books
• Published on: 1998-08-04
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .36" h x 10.14" w x 9.55" l, .81 pounds
• Binding: School & Library Binding
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-5?Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale have done a stellar job of bringing readers into a holiday celebration. Beginning with the pre-New Year preparations, children follow 10-year-old Ryan Leong and his family as they celebrate the Chinese New Year in San Francisco. Through big, bright photographs and a clear, easy-to-follow text, readers see the preparations and festivities and learn about the history and traditions. The author includes the symbolic meanings of the foods eaten and other customs, an explanation of the Chinese Zodiac, and an in-depth look at the Lion Dance. The book is more detailed than Kate Waters's Lion Dancer (Scholastic, 1990) and June Behrens's Gung Hay Fat Choy (Children's, 1982). The color photographs make it more inviting than Tricia Brown's Chinese New Year (Holt, 1995). Hoyt-Goldsmith's excellent book makes the Chinese New Year celebration accessible and understandable to all children.?Yapha Nussbaum Mason, Brentwood Lower School, Los Angeles
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale (Lacrosse, p. 581, etc.) introduce readers to Ryan, a young Chinese-American boy living in San Francisco, as he and his family prepare for the coming Chinese New Year. The sharp full-color photographs capture various mom ents in this important holiday: shopping for symbolic foods and flowers, a trip to the cemetery to honor ancestors, the gathering of the clan, preparing meals, attending the parade, and more. A running commentary explains the origins of the holiday that g o back almost 5,000 years, the symbolism of the rituals, the significance of the Chinese zodiac, the choice of ingredients for special meals. One of the most attractive aspects of the book (and, of course, the holiday) is the emphasis on the extended fami ly, and the honoring of those family members who have died. (glossary) (Picture book/nonficton. 6-11) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About the Author
Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith is the art director of Square Moon Productions, a book design and development company. She lives with her husband, son, and daughter in Orinda, California.

Lawrence Migdale takes photographs of children in their own environments. He lives in Orinda, California, with his wife and two sons.