Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Lucky Red Envelope: A lift-the-flap Lunar New Year Celebration: With over 140 flaps

Rate this book
Get ready for Lunar New Year, following a little girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival.

With non-fiction information about the significance of certain rituals, but told through the excited eyes of a child, this is a book to return to year after year in the run up to the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

Each of the 12 spreads will feature 12 lift flaps, 144 in total.

Spreads  
- See the little girl decorate the house with lucky red decorations
- Tidy the house to welcome in the new year
- Watch a special firework display
- Discover which animal year it will be
- Make festive dumplings with Nainai (grandma)
- Read a story about the zodiac with Yeye (grandpa)
- Watch a lion and dragon dance in the town square
- Make offerings to her ancestors
- And on the very last spread, have a traditional family reunion new year on the eve of Lunar new year and exchange lucky red envelopes.

24 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2023

1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read

About the author

Vikki Zhang

7 books5 followers
Vikki Zhang (张文绮) is an illustrator and fashion designer. A graduate from the School of Visual Arts, she has illustrated for over 50 picture books, covers, and numerous films, toys, fashion, and advertising. She is the winner of The 63rd Society of Illustrators NYC (book category) and the 16th CACC Best Illustration. She held her solo exhibitions in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
45 (61%)
4 stars
19 (26%)
3 stars
9 (12%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Kaye.
4,364 reviews73 followers
November 6, 2023
This picture book is about the Lunar New Year Celebration (Chinese New Year). It is also a lift a flap book with a total of 144 flaps. The stroy follows Yue and her parents as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. She learns about cooking special foods, decorating for luck and even getting red envelopes always with even amounts of cash. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful. I only saw a digital copy and it would show the page in a normal layout and on the next page the flaps would be open. Under flaps would be things for luck, treats, and sometimes additional information. I learned that the Chinese Zodiac mythology is because a king invited all the animals to race and the twelve fastest are represented. My school district is actively encouraging diversifying school library collections to include other cultures and traditions. This would be a great addition. (My only concern is that flap books are easily damaged from over use.) Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group-Wide Eyed Editions for a temporary digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Erikka.
50 reviews
January 11, 2026
My jaw dropped when I picked this book up from the library. It’s gorgeous! The artwork is very detailed. It reminds me of an I Spy book in a way. Although it’s a lift-the-flap book, the flaps are dainty, made for older toddler hands and attention spans than my toddler. We’ll definitely be coming back to this book in the future!
Profile Image for Christine.
570 reviews4 followers
November 14, 2023
Netgalley Arc

This would be a wonderful classroom book for students to learn about the Lunar New Year. The illustrations are so gorgeous! You feel like you are sitting in their living room. The colors are so bright!
9,097 reviews130 followers
September 7, 2023
Well, I've come across several of these "how many flaps to lift?!" books recently (Lucy Brownridge queen of that world, at the moment, apparently), and I have seen more books for the very young about Chinese New Year festivities this year alone than all my other decades put together, so I guess it's only fair and good that we get a volume to combine the both. Here we get just a few dioramas of a very busily-decorated Chinese (or Chinese diaspora) home, and no end of flaps to lift and see what's what and where. Some of the flaps reveal one of the two door gods that are so key to the celebrations, to the extent they're on every spread, some show what things look like underneath, what is hidden in the bag, what is stowed in that box or drawer etc. Some just flip up to give us a tiny caption – a little factoid about the events.

I think, however, this is all a little too fussy – the amount of flaps being better in an entertainment, where we might gain something from lifting them all, and a pure pleasure in poring over the page, but not something to learn. Yes, the visuals are wonderfully ornate and probably lifelike, the amount of lucky charms and special things that have to be displayed, bought, baked and suchlike. I certainly consider the multiple ways of learning we think of catering for these days, but I certainly think I took on board more on this subject from many of those other volumes. And isn't it the case that when you by default close the flaps things get forgotten about? Why would we want that to happen to information?

All that aside, this is a decent enough affair, and one that celebrants would proudly show to their kids. It covers the gamut of special nights and events and gifts, to a good detail. And while I still hold out for the more traditional non-fiction book, no matter the target age, I can see the effortful achievement here. From me this gets three and a half stars, and a bonus free admission that many will think that very tight indeed.
Profile Image for Tracy Wood.
1,274 reviews29 followers
November 3, 2023
Yue and her parents are preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year. She's celebrated before, but this will be her baby brother Ru's first time. As she works with her Mama and Baba, Yue learns about the customs and rituals which are celebrated annually. She welcomes relatives to her home as well as learning the importance of the Zodiac, cooking special food, and going out to see fireworks and parades. The red envelopes of the title are distributed as the family gathers together before a final outing ends the biggest Chinese festival of the year.

This a lovely book written and beautifully illustrated by Vikki Zhang, which was informative in a way sure to engage even the youngest reader. Even though I read an advanced electronic copy, the double page spreads were welcoming, and the 144 pictures beneath the flaps were visible and added another level to this very enjoyable read.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent book for the classroom as well as home book collections, which are informative and friendly in equal measure. Recommended.
Profile Image for Alex.
50 reviews6 followers
January 20, 2025
Okay, I have to confess, 'The Lucky Red Envelope' by Vikki Zhang completely stole my heart (and maybe a little bit of my time, because let's be honest, those 144 flaps are mesmerizing!). It's not just a book, it's an interactive journey through the vibrant world of Lunar New Year tradition.

Each flap I lifted revealed a little piece of magic, whether it was learning why red is such an important color, or discovering the symbolism behind dumplings (did you know full dumplings symbolize a full life and prosperity?). I even learned that shrimp symbolize happiness! This book is a treasure trove of cultural knowledge, presented in a way that's both fun and engaging for young readers.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning, and the interactive elements kept me engaged and curious throughout. My little nephew couldn't get enough of it, and I found myself learning alongside him. I can already see this book becoming a cherished family heirloom, passed down through generations, sharing the magic of Lunar New Year with children for years to come.

And last, thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions, and author Vikki Zhang for providing me with a free advanced copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
206 reviews23 followers
November 4, 2023
First thoughts seeing the cover of this book were:
1. Holy cow! These illustrations are gorgeous!
2. Over 140 flaps?!?

Going into this book, I only knew minimal information about the Lunar New Year. This book changed that for sure! Even as a grown adult, I learned tons of new facts about LNY and the customs surrounding it! And can we talk about those illustrations for a second?!? I am a librarian, a parent, and lifelong reader, and these are some of the best, most detailed illustrations I have ever seen! I could probably read this book over and over and find something new every time! Just absolutely stunning!

I would recommend this book to anyone who may be looking to learn a bit about Lunar New Year. It would be absolutely perfect for teaching kids about holiday customs in various cultures, and the flaps and illustrations would definitely keep the kids engaged!

🧚🏻Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions, and author Vikki Zhang for providing me with a free advanced copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Jan.
6,531 reviews100 followers
January 15, 2025
A fun and exciting very colorful book that shows many aspects of the Asian cultural holiday of New Year celebrating. The experience is decidedly enhanced by the use of flaps to lift and learn from.
The illustrations by the author are intricate, brilliantly colorful, and FUN! The lift the flap aspect does translate well with Adobe Digital Editions.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected eGalley on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions via NetGalley. Thank you!
#TheLuckyRedEnvelope #0717vikki #lifttheflapLunarNewYearCelebration
#LunarNewYear #CelebrationsAndFestivals by Vikki Zhang #Illustrated #NetGalley #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble #waterstones ***** Review #booksamillion @bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #childrensbookcouncil #QuartoPublishingGroup #wideeyededitions #ChineseCulture #ChineseCustoms #Activities
Profile Image for Mahin.
58 reviews64 followers
January 10, 2025
an extremely cute little lift-the-flap book that introduces everything related to the Chinese New Year Celebration through the lens of a young girl named Yue. since it's her baby brother's first New Year, she is intent on making sure he feels included.

the pages are packed with beautiful illustrations of various cultural items: food, clothes, colours, musical instruments, symbols, and gods, labelled with a creative touch. small, clever details have been tucked into secret pockets (including a riddle or two!) and a calendar set up for zodiac reference, ranging from the year 1981 to 2025 (which taught me that i was born in the year of the Metal Dragon!). something that stood out to me personally was how faithful everyone's skin tone was to reality.

the font is too tiny in some places but this is justified by the interactive nature of the book. although there is no story, the information flows smoothly with the illustrations.
Profile Image for Royal.
165 reviews11 followers
January 7, 2025
Gorgeous illustrations and amazing descriptions of lunar new year traditions and customs! It’s Ru’s first lunar new year, and his parents detail the traditional food and customs for lunar new year, including red envelopes and dancing dragons. I wish I had The Lucky Red Envelope when I was a kid, but I’m excited to purchase this copy as gifts for the children in my life.

It’s also pretty clever to structure this interactive book with liftable flaps because that is what you would need to do to open a red envelope. Although I received an electronic copy for review, I could still see which parts of the images were the “lift the flap” part and they were all very well-placed, which is so fun for kids and adults to share in the joy of lunar new year.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for providing an eARC for review.
Profile Image for Kira K.
569 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2023
Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great way to introduce a new culture to many young children or even as a product to help explain the families culture to young children in their own tone. I liked the details in the illustrations and ‘flaps’, especially the presence of symbolism and the explanations of its importance throughout. I also think including a hunt for Shentuand and Yulein was a great touch and can help to keep children engaged so that they retain more information.

Favourite Quote:
"Even though we don’t see them, our ancestors spirits are always here and looking after us. We think about them a lot at this special time of year."
Profile Image for Ashley Dang.
1,575 reviews
November 4, 2023
Book Blurb: Get ready for Lunar New Year, following a little girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival.

With non-fiction information about the significance of certain rituals, but told through the excited eyes of a child, this is a book to return to year after year in the run up to the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

Each of the 12 spreads will feature 12 lift flaps, 144 in total.

Review:
A beautiful and fun book to get into the festivities of Lunar New Year! The artwork is absolutely stunning and this is a great read for children to learn more about Lunar New Year!

*Thanks Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions, Wide Eyed Editions for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Lynn.
256 reviews
March 24, 2024
Kudos to the author and to the paper engineers in coming up with this lift-the-flap book! Some of the flaps were so small it's really a testament to the effort that was put in to the book. There is always something to see, read, and learn about from the many flaps.

The flaps are not the only enticement for this book. I also love the bright illustrations that truly show how festive the lunar new year is.

The text contains a lot of information as to why certain things are done for the lunar new year and gives brief enough explanations that is sure to keep young minds busy (as well as the little fingers opening those flaps).

A great effort and one that can be enjoyed in many households that celebrate and want to know more about the lunar new year.
Profile Image for Anna Makowska.
181 reviews23 followers
January 17, 2025
Beautifully and intricately illustrated picture book about Chinese Lunar New Year and its traditions including food, fireworks, dragon dance, lanterns and red envelope gifts.

Each page has small "flaps" with hidden pictures or text behind, usually serving as an explanation, trivia, funny bit or a cool cameo.

I was truly mesmerized by the attention to detail on the illustrations, mostly panoramic 2-page spreads showcasing a scene.

It's a great and engaging picture book for any parent and child who wants to learn more about Chinese Lunar New Year and connect with the Chinese culture.

It was very wholesome and cute.

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions for the ARC!
29 reviews
December 7, 2023
A beautifully illustrated interactive lift-the-flap highlighting the traditions and importance of the Lunar New Year.

We loved finding out about all of the customs as seen through the eyes of Yue as she and her family prepare to celebrate and beneath every flap was a treasure trove of information presented in the most stunning manner.

We recommend this book for children aged 3-6 and also to any parents or carers wishing to teach their little ones about different cultures. We certainly learned plenty!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wide Eyed Editions (Quarto Publishing Group) for sending us this book for review consideration. All opinions are our own.
Profile Image for Donna Maguire.
4,895 reviews120 followers
November 10, 2023
I read this book with my daughter and we both really enjoyed it.

I loved that the book was easy to read and follow and she loved being able to find out more about the Chinese New Year - she had learnt a little about it in school in her first year but this was more informative.

We loved that the book also mentioned the 12 animals associated with the Lunar New Year as well as we have recently read a book on that so it linked well together reading on this topic.

It was well written, fun and it had some lovely illustrations

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!
Profile Image for Melki.
7,304 reviews2,617 followers
February 2, 2024
Spend time with a fictional family as they participate in all the many activities associated with the Lunar New Year, while learning facts about the celebrations by lifting the flaps. The illustrations are gorgeous. If your library has room for only one book about Lunar New Year, this would be a good one to get.
description
Thanks to NetGalley and Wide Eyed Editions for sharing.
Profile Image for Mags.
116 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc.

I wasn’t sure how the pop-up pages would work as an e-book but this worked amazingly. The art was fantastic, it was informative, it was so very full of love and a deep cultural respect and appreciation, and I do wish more books for cultural holidays were like this one. It’s one thing to have books on culture, it’s another to make it so interactive and interesting for people to learn about and understand. Hope the author and illustrator make more books like these, because they’re beautiful and a collection of them would go OFF.
Profile Image for Belle.
804 reviews8 followers
December 12, 2023
Original, uneducated thoughts:
Absolutely love lift-the-flaps and this one has sooo many! Fun and interactive, cultural and educational - with lots of red! Wonderful way to learn another's traditions.

Further thoughts:
Sadly, giving a 3 star rating in response to a Chinese reader highlighting the many inaccuracies within the book. Though, the author is also Chinese, I am lost.

*Temporary e-copy received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Monica H (TeaandBooks).
847 reviews86 followers
January 1, 2024
Large beautiful children's book explaining the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. There are over 140 SMALL flaps to lift. I think this is a fun book offering a lot of good information to understand this culture. However, I would suggest ages 5 to 8 as I think 3 is a bit young for all of the information and the small flaps.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the Amazon Vine Program. All opinions within this review are my own.
Profile Image for Linn van den Heuvel.
Author 1 book10 followers
January 12, 2024
Yue is very excited to get ready for the Lunar New Year celebrations. This year should be extra special because it will be baby Ru's first New Year. This book contains a lot of beautiful pictures and tasks to fulfill during the story. A lovely way to teach kids more about the Lunar New Year. It has all kind of facts hidden in the pictures and underneath the flaps.

Very interesting book and even as an adult a learned a lot of new things about the Lunar New Year!
Profile Image for A.L. Renna.
Author 1 book
April 8, 2024
The Lucky Red Envelope follows a little girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival. With a new little brother, Mei expresses interest in her family’s heirlooms and traditions. Facts offered throughout the book, often hidden under one of the 144 flaps, explain the significance of certain rituals through the eyes of a child.

Read the full review: https://travelnitch.org/the-lucky-red...
Profile Image for cinnamilk.
107 reviews4 followers
December 27, 2024
Accompanied by absolutely gorgeous artwork, The Lucky Red Envelope is about a young girl and her family as they celebrate the Lunar New Year. We are taken along to see many of their festivities, including a lovely fireworks show, a parade with a dragon, and a family meal! The lift-the-flap aspect allows us to learn more about each scene in detail, and it will be sure to entertain and engage young readers!
Profile Image for Syifa.
157 reviews
November 14, 2023
A cute and fun illustrated book best for introducing Chinese and Lunar New Year's celebration cultures and its meaning for kids filled with cute riddles and clues here and there! I'm not Chinese but I know some of my friends who celebrate Lunar New Year and I've got more understanding now about the foods, ornaments/decorations, etc.
Profile Image for Lisa Davidson.
1,338 reviews39 followers
Read
November 16, 2023
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be "busy." Every page is full of so much gorgeous detail, and there are over 140 flaps to lift. The flaps organize information about Chinese New Year and Chinese culture, but it's all done in a fun way. I would recommend this for a family gift or for a classroom.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
Profile Image for Eline Pullen.
229 reviews4 followers
December 27, 2023
In my search for more diversity for the youth collection in the library where I work, I came across the picture book
'The lucky red envelope'. The richly illustrated cover immediately made me curious about the inside.

In the story, Yue takes you on a tour of all kinds of customs and celebrations surrounding the Chinese New Year. I found it very interesting to learn more about the what and why of the customs.

Each spread covers a different segment of the celebration. There are windows that can be opened per spread. This way you will discover hidden delicacies, legends and customs from Chinese culture. I really thought this was a beautifully rich and decorative picture book.

A nice addition is that some search activities can also be found on the page. Recommended for anyone who wants to read and learn about the Chinese New Year.

Big thanks for NetGalley for providing an advanced readers copy of this book in return for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jenny Blacker.
162 reviews4 followers
January 11, 2024
This is a well illustrated picture book, an intro to the lunar new year celebrations of 1 family.

Overall I liked it, it does seem a little busy though, and I worry that the many, many small flaps wouldn't stand the test of time

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.
Profile Image for sya ☆.
135 reviews12 followers
January 28, 2025
This book is such a charming way to dive into the spirit of Chinese New Year! The illustrations are vibrant and packed with detail, making every page a treat to explore. Plus, the lift-the-flap sections add an interactive element that I think kids will absolutely enjoy. There are so many fun hidden details! It’s the kind of book that keeps kids engaged and coming back for more.
Profile Image for Jo.
972 reviews16 followers
December 6, 2023
It is a fun and informative book on Chinese New Year. How the Chinese prepare and celebrate their new year? With a lot of fun flaps throughout the book, to know the tradition, the things they have, and some explanations, this book is a good read.
Profile Image for Melanie.
1,023 reviews2 followers
December 21, 2023
This is a lovely lift-the-flap book for children to learn about the Lunar New Year and the holiday traditions related to the Lunar New Year celebrations. It's colorful, educational and a lovely cultural book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.