On Sunday 22 January 2023, a new year will start for many people and countries all over the world when we celebrate Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year.
Lunar New Year is based on the progress of the moon and occurs on the second new moon after the summer solstice in December (the longest day of the year).
Lunar New Year runs for 15 days from the 22nd and ends on the full moon.
There are twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac, and this Sunday starts the Year of the Rabbit. Previous Years of the Rabbit include 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, and 1927.
I Love Chinese New Year by Eva Wong Nava and Xin Li
Twelve animals, one for each year, each one with their own special powers. It all started with a race to cross the most heavenly of rivers. Chinese New Year is right around the corner and Mai-Anne is so excited! They decorate their house and plan their traditional meal filled with fish, noodles, dumplings and chicken. But Mai-Anne can’t wait until after dinner, when Nai Nai will tell the story of how Chinese New Year began with the Great Race.
Rodney Loses It! by Michael Gerard Bauer and illustrated by Chrissie Krebs.
Rodney was a rabbit who loved nothing more than drawing. He never found it tiresome, tedious or boring. But then one day, disaster struck, the one thing Rodney feared, while working at his drawing desk his pen just… DISAPPEARED! A truly hysterical search for a missing pen.
Okay, this one’s not about Lunar New Year but it is about rabbits and it’s a favourite!
LOTE4Kids
Have you heard of the eResource, LOTE4Kids?
It’s a website you have access to by being a member of Cockburn Libraries and gives you access to a range of children’s stories in English and Languages Other Than English (LOTE).
In celebration of Lunar New Year, let’s highlight a story in Cantonese and one in Mandarin, featuring a hare.
The Hare and the Tortoise (Lote 4 Kids) in Cantonese
The Hare and the Tortoise – Cantonese – LOTE4Kids
The Hare was bragging of how fast he could run but the Tortoise agreed to race against him. Who will win the race?
The Hare and the Tortoise (Lote 4 Kids) in Mandarin
The Hare and the Tortoise – Mandarin – LOTE4Kids
The Hare was bragging of how fast he could run but the Tortoise agreed to race against him. Who will win the race?
Song
Asha, David, and I are going to try and learn this song for the Success Storytime, Toddler Tales, and Pram Jam sessions where we will be celebrating Lunar New Year, in the week starting Monday 6 February.
Craft – Fish Lantern
In celebration of Lunar New Year, Annabelle, shared this really cool craft.
What you need:
- Egg carton
- Rope
- Googly eyes
- Bells (preferrably red)
- Paint
- Sticks
- Glue
- Yellow and red paper
- Scissors
- Pens
What you do:
- Cut out the bottom of the egg carton (as many as you want)
- Paint on head and one tail, then paint the remaining ones as body parts.
- Thread them together using the rope or string.
- Cut out the tag for the bottom and write: 年年有餘 (May there be surplus year after year)
- Attach the tag and bell and hang outside.
