New Year
Written by Rich Lo
Illustrated by Rich Lo
Published by Sky Pony
After his family moves from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, a boy begins school in America. He has a difficult time adjusting with limited knowledge of the English language and American culture. His translator is embarrassed to have to speak her native language at school in front of her friends. The boy feels out of place and alone in his new environment, though his mother assures him that one day he will be proud of his Chinese heritage.
In February, the teacher gives the class a homework assignment: to come up with a theme with which to decorate the classroom. The boy knows exactly what the theme should be. He drafts some sketches of decorations for Chinese New Year. His teacher and classmates love the idea and have many questions about Chinese New Year for the boy. He is happy to answer and share his heritage with them.
New Year is based on author/illustrator Rich Lo’s childhood experiences immigrating to America, and it is ultimately a story about being proud of who you are and where you’ve come from.
Primary ISBN: 9781510707238
Publication Date: November 2016
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 03 or older
Community Represented: Chinese/Chinese American
Themes: Celebrations, Celebrations: Lunar New Year, Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Language Ability, Discrimination: Microaggression, Education & Literacy, Family Relationship: Parents, Identity: Multilingual, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Welcoming by School
Setting: United States (Los Angeles CA)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
Click here for details about how we define our titles.
Engagement Projects & Resources:
Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.