Celebrate Lunar New Year With These Stunning Picture Books

It’s finally Baby Snake’s year — and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Whether you’re looking to celebrate the start of 2025 or introduce your little ones to the witty, warm and wise qualities of the snake, curl up with this delightful read.

Mary-Man Kong’s delightful children’s book brings us back to the basics through gorgeous illustrations and delightful text. Through her engaging explanations of venerated traditions and the meaning of each new year, little ones will learn all about the joy of Lunar New Year.

Celebrate Lunar New Year with this delightful debut picture book by Lily LaMotte, the author of the graphic novel Measuring Up. Follow Chloe and her family as they prepare for the new year, buying new shoes, laying out good-luck oranges in a bowl, decorating the red envelope, and making a crispy turnip cake. As everyone comes together, this tender and warm story celebrates tradition and being with the ones you love! 

Simply stunning. Andrea Wang and Jason Chin’s Watercress is the thought-provoking, gorgeously illustrated story of a first-generation girl coming to terms with, and ultimately celebrating, her Chinese heritage. There is so much to glean from Watercress that you’ll want to read it over and over.

In an enchanting story following a Jewish-Chinese-American family, Richard Ho details the  traditions of both Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year. With illuminating illustrations and engaging text, readers can experience the value of blending cultures and finding community in making new traditions. 

In the spirit of A is for Awesome, Eyes that Kiss in the Corner, and Hair Love, Eva Chen’s latest is part love letter and part guide-to-life for Chinese American children. Illustrated with Sophie Diao’s soft, elegant paint style, I am Golden will inspire, educate and delight readers of all backgrounds.

Based on the authors’ own immigration story, this beautiful tale of friendship in the face of change is full of heart and vibrant illustrations. A young girl moves to America, leaving her best friend behind. As she struggles to navigate a new place, language, and culture, she meets someone new and discovers that friendship, love, and kindness are universal.  

Ruby is on her way to grandmother’s house, but she’s going to need a little help along the way. A clever Rat, a strong Ox, a cautious Rabbit — these are just a few of the friends Ruby will meet on her journey. This playful picture book introduces its’ reader to all twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. A fun and informative adventure story that highlights the importance of family and friendship.  

With bright and playful illustrations, this sweet board book takes its reader on a journey to discover the meaning of the Lunar New Year. Rich with folklore and cultural history, it invites you to connect with family, light paper lanterns, set off fireworks, and dance with dragons, but most importantly, to live the new year in harmony and happiness. 

Do you have what it takes to snag a dragon? From the bestselling How to Catch series comes another rollicking rhyming adventure. A young boy and his friends attempt to catch a dragon in his village for the Lunar New Year celebrations. But will they outsmart this clever dragon? Includes bonus educational content and Mandarin translations in the back.