New Picture Books Sharing Chinese Culture and Holidays

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lunar New Year is in February this year. In Chinese astrology 2026 will be the year of the fire horse. Many countries celebrate the lunar new year, but we often hear about the Chinese culture. Today we are sharing three new picture books that share a bit of Chinese culture celebrating different holidays: Lunar New Year and Ghost Festival Month. Lunar New Year begins February 17 and ends March 3 with the Lantern Festival. Our first book is about a young girl traveling with her mother back to her mother's childhood home for the lunar new year. It is We Always Had Wings by Jess X. Snow. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

About the Book:

A stunning, mythology-inspired ode to the places and people who came before us as a girl embarks on her first visit to her mother's hometown in China for Lunar New Year.

Little Snow can't remember the last time she was on an airplane, and is afraid of the long journey from her big city to the vast Chinese countryside Mama comes from. To soothe her nerves, Mama tells Little Snow the story of how their ancestors travelled before borders and countries existed—flying through the skies as cranes. What follows is a tender story of reconnecting with family during the holidays and remembering the magic of who you are in this gorgeous picture book debut from author-illustrator Jess X. Snow.

From Me:

In this sweet story a young girl, Little Snow, and her mother are traveling to China to her mother's hometown to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Little Snow does not remember being on an airplane and is a bit afraid of flying. Her mother shares a story about their ancestors flying as cranes before there were borders. Then the book shows special times with family.

The book is about Lunar New Year, but it is also about overcoming a fear of flying and time with family. I love how it shares a myth like story about flying but with an Asian twist of cranes. Then the holiday itself is about gathering with family and Little Snow shares very special times with her extended family. 

This book is perfect for a child who is afraid to fly for the first time or to visit family for the first time. It also shares the importance of family ties and visiting home. It gives a bit of the Chinese culture, so it is also a great addition for studying Chinese culture around the Lunar New Year. 

Our next book is about a young girl celebrating the Lunar New Year with her family and community but wanting to be herself and have her own style instead of the hand-me-downs from her sisters. The book is Sparkles for Sunny: A Lunar New Year Story by Sylvia Chen and illustrated by Thai My Phuong. It is also recommended for ages 4 to 8.

About the Book:

Lunar New Year is coming up, and Sunny is stuck wearing hand-me-downs to the party AGAIN.

“This warm family story will resonate with youngest children everywhere, regardless of a particular holiday or season. Highly recommended.”–School Library Journal

The Lao family has four rules:
1. Make what you can yourself.
2. Get good deals.
3. Share extras with others.
4. Never waste anything.

…which means that every year for Lunar New Year, Sunny winds up wearing a hand-me-down qípáo from her sisters. Just once Sunny wants to wear something that’s so her and not so one of her sisters! Can Sunny uphold the Lao Family Way while also staying true to herself? Take a peek at this sweet and funny sister tale to find out!

From author Sylvia Chen comes a heart-warming tale about Sunny, a creative and boisterous little girl desperate to make her mark. With gorgeous illustrations from Thai My Phuong, Sparkles for Sunny is sure to delight readers everywhere.

Perfect for fans of Fancy Nancy and I Am Golden!

From Me:

In this book Sunny is the youngest of three girls. Her family has certain rules they always follow and one of them is to never waste anything or buy anything unless absolutely necessary. As the youngest Sunny never gets any new clothing. As Lunar New Year is approaching, Sunny and her friends begin discussing their outfits. Sunny is sad that she will have to wear her sisters' hand-me-downs. Her outfit is more her sisters than her. She wants something that represents her. After asking her parents for a new outfit and being told no, she tries to think of a way to make her outfit more like her. Then she gets an idea and makes something for herself and both of her sisters. Her friends want her to make them hair accessories as well and her family is proud of her. 

Being the youngest of three girls, I can relate to Sunny. I got many hand-me-downs, but my parents also made sure I got some new things. I do remember some holidays where we were dressed alike. My mother would make us matching outfits. I get Sunny's feelings about her clothes. I love how this book shares a bit of Chinese culture around the Lunar New Year. Sunny and her friends discuss their various outfits for the celebration which include different types of traditional Chinese outfits. It is a sweet book about being the youngest, wanting more and doing something about it. It is also a book about being a member of a family and following family rules. 

This book shares a bit about traditional Chinese fashion and Chinese culture. It is perfect for a unit on Chinese culture and the Lunar New Year. It is also a fun book for a look at siblings and different roles in the family. 

Our final book is being released today. It shares a fun story about the Ghost Festival month. It occurs on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. The seventh month usually aligns with the end of July through August. The book is Gwei the Hungry Ghost by Emeline Lee and illustrated by Basia Tran. It is also recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

About the Book:

A picture book about a lonely ghost who learns to share and is finally fulfilled through friendship.

Gwei the ghost is absolutely famished, but unlike the other ghosts in the cemetery, he won’t eat just anything. Luckily, it’s Ghost Festival month: the one time a year when ghosts roam the realm of the living. Gwei flutters around the city eating steaming bowls of noodles, hot, hot, HOT chestnuts, and crispy fried fish with chili oil.

Yet no matter how much Gwei eats, his hunger won’t go away. As he searches for the perfect meal, he catches someone following him. It’s another hungry little ghost! When he hears her grumbling belly, he reluctantly reaches into his pouch to share. To his surprise, he finally starts to feel full.

With charming Chinese folklore–inspired text by Emeline Lee and warm, glowing illustrations by Basia Tran, Gwei the Hungry Ghost is a story about how friendship feeds the soul.

Features illustrated backmatter with more information on the real Hungry Ghost Festival and more spirits of Chinese mythology!

From Me:

I'll be honest I had not heard of the Ghost Festival Month. This book shares a fun story about a hungry ghost. Gwei can never seem full no matter how much he eats. Then when a small (and new) ghost is there, he decides to be kind and share. This helps him feel less empty. The next day the two ghosts go to find food during the festival month. Gwei finally feels less hungry while he shares his time with the other ghost. After all, everything is better with a friend!

At the end of the book there are a few pages about the Ghost Festival month and about the different types of ghosts. Each ghost is a person who lived certain ways. A hungry ghost was a greedy person who was arrogant. Or a hungry ghost may be a person who did not receive a proper burial. The book shares seven different types of ghosts as well as information about the Ghost Festival month, a glossary and select sources. The story shares about different types of traditional Chinese food as well as about the Ghost Festival. I also love that it has the message that sharing and being with a friend makes life better. 

This book is perfect for learning about the Chinese culture. It shares about the Ghost Festival month but also food and more. It also has a nice message about friendship. It is perfect for a classroom or as a story to learn from at home. Whether you are celebrating the Lunar New Year or Ghost Festival month or just want to learn about the Chinese culture and holidays, these books are fun additions to anyone's library!