Chelsea's Chinese New Year

Chelsea's Chinese New Year is written by Lisa Bullard and illustrated by Katie Saunders. This multicultural nonfiction story was published in 2012 and intended for children ages 5 to 8. This book is simple for children to understand and the bright, colorful illustrations in this book jump out at you! This book will leave you wanting to join the celebration!





The book follows a young girl Chelsea as she celebrate the Chinese New Year! This is a special day for Chelsea as she gets to take part in this special cultural celebration! On this day Chelsea gets to watch a parade, play games, see fireworks and enjoy a huge feast with her family while she learns about the history of the Chinese New Year. Chelsea also learns how the Chinese New Year is celebrated in China and the United States and how each celebrate differs. Chelsea also learns about luck and the color red along with it's significance in the Chinese New Year.





Teachers and students: If you are looking for a multicultural children's book, this is the one for you! The vibrant, colorful illustrations illuminate the story and make you feel like you are there at the celebrate. If you want to have fun while reading an interesting education story, come along with Chelsea as she experiences the Chinese New Year, you won't regret it!


Discussion Questions: Get Involved!

1. What was your favorite part of the Chinese New Year celebration? Why?
2. What is a holiday you celebrate that is important to you as the Chinese New Year is to Chelsea's family and culture? How was it different and the same?
3. What is the difference between the Chinese New Year in the United States versus the celebration in China? Which celebration would you rather be at?
4. Have you ever been to or seen a parade that reminds you of the parade Chelsea attended for the New Year? What was it for?
5. What does the color red symbolize in the Chinese culture?
6. What kind of food did Chelsea and her family eat at the celebration feast? Were they foods you have ever tried or heard of?

Time for a fun activity!

The Red Envelope 

• In class students will make their own red envelopes, similar to the red envelopes that Chelsea explained in the story. Instead children will decorate these with their own symbols and meanings that are special to them. After children construct their envelops they will explain to the class what the symbols on the envelopes mean and why those symbols are special to them!

If teachers are looking for a book for their younger students to help explain cultural celebrations, this is the perfect one for you! Children will be intrigued by the beautiful celebration that is explained through words and pictures! The educational value of this book is endless! A great story to get the class involved in discussion and activity.


If you enjoyed this book about the Chinese New Year, check out some other cultural celebrations around the world! For example:

• The night before Christmas by Clemet C. Moore
• It's Hanukkah! by Jeanne Modesitt
• Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney
• Celebrate!: Connections Among Cultures by Jan Reynolds

Bullard, L., Suanders, K. (2012). Chelsea's chinese new year. Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press