Lunar New Year, Spread Love and Cheer

Baby-Toddler–This book guides readers through the traditional celebration of ­Lunar New Year. On the eve of the new year, the family cleans the entire house, from ­sweeping the floor to dusting the furniture. When midnight comes, children watch fireworks outside the house with their parents. The next day the family gathers and enjoys fruit, greens, and sweet treats. After praying to ancestors, they visit grandparents and elder relatives. Children ­receive red pocket-money envelopes from the ­elders, and then the ­family celebrates with a variety of dishes believed to bring good luck and prosperity: dumplings, fish, and noodles. The cheerful art in Habib’s ((Chuseok: A Good ­Harvest Festival)) book is colorful, with bright red prevalent throughout, which is strongly associated with good luck, happiness, warding off evil spirits, and ensuring a prosperous and ­joyful year ahead.