Review by Booklist Review
K---Gr. 1. This warm, often charming, but not entirely successful ABC book comes from the creators of The Story of Chopsticks (2001), The Story of Noodles (2002), and other fiction titles about aspects of Chinese culture. This, too, gives some intriguing glimpses into Chinese traditions, in particular New Year's customs. Occasionally the examples are a bit cryptic for kids: V is for veneration. Families venerate their ancestors during New Year's. The artwork, however, is cheerful and bright, rather stylistic, with appealing repetitive details that will draw kids right in--a little boy and girl preparing for the celebration can be found on nearly every page, as can a small, scampering yellow cat. Traditional cultural symbols, architectural backdrops, and clothing give a sense of both community and ordinary life during a special time of year, and it's hard to miss the textured backdrops behind the pictures, which, as an endnote explains, replicate Chinese characters in four different calligraphic styles. A tempting recipe for dumplings concludes this attractive addition to the multicultural shelves. --Stephanie Zvirin Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The team behind The Story of Chopsticks and The Story of Noodles rings in the Chinese New Year with D Is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine, illus. by Yongsheng Xuan. Each letter of the alphabet introduces a different aspect of the celebration (e.g., "E is for evil spirits/ F is for Firecrackers"), followed by a brief explanation ("Dragon dancers and firecrackers care away evil spirits"). Other colorful customs include dragon dancing, kite-flying plus steamed dumplings and Peking duck feasts, all adding up to wishes for long life, happiness and good luck in the New Year. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Simple text and large illustrations fill this Chinese New Year-themed alphabet book. Short explanatory sentences add context for young listeners, although some may prompt further questioning from children unfamiliar with the holiday ("D is for Dragon Dance/E is for Evil Spirits/F is for Firecrackers/Dragon dancers and firecrackers scare away evil spirits."). Xuan's bold, textured illustrations feature a family preparing and celebrating, with large Chinese characters in a range of calligraphy styles subtly incorporated into the background. One page of back matter offers slightly more information about the holiday, ideas on how to "ensure good fortune in the New Year" and an artist's note. Unfortunately, while Xuan explains the calligraphy styles, no translation of the characters is given. Originally published in 2006, this new edition is bilingual, with all text appearing in English, simplified Chinese characters, and pinyin transliteration. The dumpling recipe in the original back matter has been moved online. VERDICT A solid choice for introducing the Chinese New Year to young children that will work well as a read-aloud in a group setting.-Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this alphabet book, each letter is accompanied by one or two sentences very briefly introducing an aspect of the Chinese New Year celebration--I for incense, J for jade, K for kites. Chinese characters in various calligraphy styles make an eye-catching background for the attractive textured illustrations. An author's note offers a few more facts as well as a dumpling recipe. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Compestine offers a simple introduction to the Chinese New Year in the form of an alphabet book, but the information provided is slight. "V is for Veneration" is explained with the enigmatic line, "Families venerate their ancestors at New Year's." Not a very meaningful sentence, though the illustration showing a family bowing in front of an altar offers clues. The jewel-like paintings of a traditional Chinese family (complete with an incongruous TV and an electric fan) celebrating the holiday by donning new clothes, getting haircuts, making paper cuts, bringing oranges to friends and eating ceremonial foods are engaging. A playful yellow cat cavorts with a mouse throughout, adding more child appeal. There is another, more subtle design element: The artist has used four different calligraphic styles to create backgrounds on each page. An author's note offers a little more explanation of the festival, but this visual treat should be supplemented by something more substantial. A recipe for dumplings and a Chinese Zodiac chart are included. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
