It's Chinese New Year!

In this installment of the Bumba Books: It's a Holiday series, the spotlight is on Chinese New Year. On each two-page spread, a full-color, full-bleed photo shows a feature of the festivities, while straightforward sentences describe that feature in terms ideal for preschooler comprehension. A photo of a team of dancers wielding a frilled dragon in a parade is paired with "People dance to celebrate. Some people dress as dragons." A photo of tiled rooftops lined with glowing red paper lanterns appears alongside "People decorate with red. This color means good luck." Though the information is slight, it covers the major elements kids in the target audience would recognize, like decorations, food, presents, and time of year. Occasional critical-­thinking questions offer opportunities for deeper consideration. Though an image of a Chinese lunar calendar, which has little explanation and no comparison to the Gregorian calendar, could be confusing for some readers, this is a useful introduction to the basics of a holiday that will likely be unfamiliar for many young ones. Copyright 2016 Booklist Reviews.

K-Gr 3—An overview of some of the holidays children in the United States are likely to either celebrate themselves or know someone who does. The descriptions include where and why it originated, and how and when it is celebrated. The short declarative sentences are accompanied by colorful photographs of people who represent many ethnicities and cultures. A few questions here and there encourage readers to think beyond the text. A visual glossary rounds out each title. The Spanish translation, though mostly correct, is not perfect. VERDICT A simple introductory series that will help young readers understand some of the many cultural and religious traditions that make up the United States. Copyright 2018 School Library Journal.

K-Gr 3—An overview of some of the holidays children in the United States are likely to either celebrate themselves or know someone who does. The descriptions include where and why it originated, and how and when it is celebrated. The short declarative sentences are accompanied by colorful photographs of people who represent many ethnicities and cultures. A few questions here and there encourage readers to think beyond the text. A visual glossary rounds out each title. The Spanish translation, though mostly correct, is not perfect. VERDICT A simple introductory series that will help young readers understand some of the many cultural and religious traditions that make up the United States. Copyright 2018 School Library Journal.

Carefully leveled text and fresh, vibrant photos engage young readers in learning about the traditions and celebrations of Chinese New Year. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions and a photo glossary help build nonfiction learning skills.