This Next New Year

by Janet S. Wong, Yangsook Choi (Illustrator)

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

A young boy looks forward to Chinese New Year - also known as the Lunar New Year, the day of the first new moon. It is a time of hope, and you don't have to be Chinese to celebrate it! His best friend, Glenn, who is French and German, and his cousin Evelyn, part Hopi and part Mexican, like the food and the envelopes of money, while he celebrates the fresh start the day offers. He cleans the house to make room for luck, and is glad the palms of his hands itch - that means he is coming into money. Most of all, he vows not to say things such as "can't do / don't have / why me" because he has dreams he is ready to make come true. Janet S. Wong's spare, lyrical couplets voice a child's determination to face the new year with courage and optimism. Yangsook Choi captures the spirit of celebration in her vibrant, energetic pictures.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Cultural, Storytime, Fiction, Asian Literature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2000

About the author

Janet S. Wong was born in Los Angeles, and grew up in Southern and Northern California. As part of her undergraduate program at UCLA, she spent her junior year in France, studying art history at the Université de Bordeaux. When she returned from France, Janet founded the UCLA Immigrant Children's Art Project, a program focused on teaching refugee children to express themselves through art.

After graduating from UCLA, summa cum laude, with a B.A. in History and College Honors, Janet then obtained her J.D. from Yale Law School, where she was a director of the Yale Law and Technology Association and worked for New Haven Legal Aid. After practicing corporate and labor law for a few years for GTE and Universal Studios Hollywood, she made a dramatic career change—choosing to write for young people instead. Her successful switch from law to children’s literature has been the subject of several articles and television programs, most notably an O Magazine article, a "Remembering Your Spirit" segment on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and the Fine Living Channel’s "Radical Sabbatical."

Janet's poems and stories have been featured in many textbooks and anthologies, and also in some more unusual venues. Poems from Behind the Wheel have been performed on a car-talk radio show. "Albert J. Bell" from A Suitcase of Seaweed was selected to appear on 5,000 subway and bus posters as part of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority's "Poetry in Motion" program, and was later highlighted on the Hallmark Channel’s "New Morning" show. And, in April 2003, Janet was one of five children’s authors invited to read at The White House Easter Egg Roll.

Janet and her books have received numerous awards and honors, such as the International Reading Association's "Celebrate Literacy Award" for exemplary service in the promotion of literacy, and the prestigious Stone Center Recognition of Merit, given by the Claremont Graduate School. Janet also has been appointed to two terms on the Commission on Literature of the National Council of Teachers of English.

Janet currently resides near Princeton, NJ, with her husband Glenn and her son Andrew.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS. While I didn't find the storytelling immensely engaging, I do appreciate that the story shows how "Chinese New Year" is celebrated by people from various countries and backgrounds. The books explains some of the associated traditions and focuses on the young boy's hope for good luck in the new year. I like the focus on a fresh start, and the boys promises he will not say negative things such as “can’t do”, “don’t have” or “why me.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, clear explanation of some lunar new year traditions, as a child growing up with them might perceive them.

I don't think it will linger in my mind, perhaps because the characters didn't seem to have much personality.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great picture book for Chinese New Year American Chinese style. Charming and lots of fun

[Jasmine Na · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her book, "This Next New Year," author Janet S. Wong represents the Lunar New Year in a way that is easy for children to understand. The story is about a young Chinese-Korean-American boy and how he is ready for the New Year, Chinese New Year. The character talks about the traditions such as eating Duk-Gook, getting red envelopes with money, and watching fireworks. The way the story is presented is easy for readers to learn about Chinese New Year, but also, I love how the author incorporated the character's friends who are of different backgrounds, integrating other cultures in the story. Even the illustrations of the book may seem simple, however, the follow along with the story and have details that if students cannot read the words, can follow along with the pictures. Overall, the story itself and the illustrations present Chinese New Year and a good introduction of Asian celebration.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an alright book. I liked the story more than the illustrations. It's basically about a boy prepping for the Lunar New Year and doing everything he can to wash away the bad luck from the old year.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy looks forward to Chinese New Year - also known as the Lunar New Year, the day of the first new moon. It is a time of hope, and you don't have to be Chinese to celebrate it! His best friend, Glenn, who is French and German, and his cousin Evelyn, part Hopi and part Mexican, like the food and the envelopes of money, while he celebrates the fresh start the day offers. He cleans the house to make room for luck, and is glad the palms of his hands itch - that means he is coming into money. Most of all, he vows not to say things such as "can't do / don't have / why me" because he has dreams he is ready to make come true. Janet S. Wong's spare, lyrical couplets voice a child's determination to face the new year with courage and optimism. Yangsook Choi captures the spirit of celebration in her vibrant, energetic pictures.

[Mackenzie Donahoo]

In "This Next New Year", we meet a boy who is half-Korean. He is getting ready to celebrate the Chinese new year. His family celebrates by eating soup. He talks about the ways that some of his friends celebrate like making a special meal or giving money away. He says that this year, he wants to have good luck. He has had back luck this past year. He broke a vase, got dust in his eye, and a lot more. He does lot of activities that he thinks will change his luck. He is doing things like scrubbing the house, drying his hair, flossing his teeth, and wearing his cleanest clothes. He also promises to be brave and not hide during the parade even if the floats scare him. He ends the book with telling us he has a lot of dreams, he plans to make come true.

I liked this book, because it talks about the traditions of another culture, which I think is important to talk about. The storyline was creative and visited the many ways people think brings good luck. I would recommend this book.

I could read this to my class to talk about holidays across the world. I could talk about traditions for those different holidays too. We could also talk about why people may think that things like drying their hair would give them good luck for the year.

[Jaycie Birdwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a lyrical poetry style. In it, a young boy looks forward to the Chinese New Year in which he hopes to find good fortune-- he can feel it in his hands. His family takes part in many rituals and traditions to prepare for the New Year. He is ready to be brave and positive in this coming year so that he can achieve his goals and dreams.
This book was pretty alright. I think that it definitely did its job of explaining many of the rituals associated with Chinese New Year, and it created a good sense of the Chinese culture. I could use this book in my classroom when we are approaching Chinese New Year to immerse my kids in different cultures and open their eyes to other ethnicities and their traditions. We could even participate in some of the rituals listed in the book on Chinese New Year.

[Alex Furlong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great way to easily introduce the concept of the Chinese New Year to a young reader. What I like about the book is the way Wong shows that children from different backgrounds celebrate CNY, not just families that are 100% Chinese. Celebrating a holiday that isn't 100% yours is a great way to show appreciation, love, and acceptance to other people, which is something that is important children be taught. The pictures in this book are very good.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites! I met Ms. Wong years ago at an author meet and greet where I purchased this book. She was actually hoping I'd buy different book, but I REALLY needed his one. The story is entertaining and the illustrations are vibrant!! One of my favorite reads for story times for the Lunar New Year! Read it again today to 5th graders. And will read it tomorrow to 3rd and 4th graders. Great book for pre-5th grade.

[Tiffany Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book teaches children about Lunar New Year in a simple way to help them understand it. This book even shows children who are of Asian descent that love the celebration. I know that this holiday is a big one for Asian cultures because it helps to bring good luck to the family and gets rid of the bad luck from the year prior and bring good luck in the new year. It also gives others an insight into a holiday that is celebrated in a different culture.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good, basic read aloud of some of the Chinese New Year traditions, including the cleaning of the house, red envelopes, and new clothes. I feel like the author is trying to add other issues (ie he doesn’t have new clothes, so I’m assuming they are having money troubles) that kind of take away from the book.

[Michaela Stoffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a unique look at entering the new year. It could also be used in a lesson to expose students to the way different cultures celebrate holidays because it relates to the Chinese New Year. This could be read to students as they come back from winter break in January, to give a sense of optimism for what is to come.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells of a young boy and his family getting ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year. What is hinted at is that things have not being going well for them. He is hoping next year will be better. I appreciated that this book acknowledges that many different people now celebrate this event in different ways.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delight. I do love the idea of starting fresh by doing all the spring cleaning, at least. Eating Thai or Korean (or Chinese) food if possible. And I love the author's cultural notes. Why couldn't a child half Hopi and half Mexican celebrate?! Of course she can, especially if she has a neighbor giving out red envelopes!

[Ashley Manners · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it is very hard to find stories about the Chinese New Year. I personally did not think that the story itself was all in all engaging, I really did like the overall book. Poetry is something I feel, is a very hard thing to get students to like. I would definitely use this good to try and spark some interest with poetry as well as different culture.

[Azy Ivester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this book, they are abstract and colorful but not overly bright. This book teaches about the Chinese New Year and gives space for a fresh start. This book has a strong message about hope and growth in starting a new year which coincides with dreams which every child should have! The perfect book to read when starting the New Year.

[Shayla Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book incorporates the Chinese New Year and how a variety of families celebrate it. Teaches students about other cultures/ holidays. Good representation of diversity included in both text and illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his family. It begins the day of the first new moon of the year. The boy explains the customs of the Lunar New Year, and why they are performed. This story reveals several different cultures, and how they are celebrated.

[George Ginnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very colorful, cultural book that explains when the Chinese New Year is celebrated. The book is presented from the view of boy who is half Korean but he explains how he is getting ready for the new year with his family and friends. The young boy believes that the Lunar New Year provides him with a fresh start, and he promises he will not say negative things such as “can’s do”, “don’t have” or “why me.” A young boy’s perspective of the new year is a good short read.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a Korean-American boy celebrating Lunar New Year (which he calls Chinese New Year), including all his family's traditions.

Also mentions his friends from various backgrounds who also celebrate.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of a new year is different for diffirent cultures and places around the world. This is a fun way to share one way some folks celebrate the new year. A beautiful story of children sharing their joy of cultural celebrations with one another.

[Kirsten Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic book to have your students become aware of other people's cultures. Students can read this book and discuss topics about social studies and reading. The language is rich and the characters are very relatable.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wasn't bad but I like the one I read yesterday better. This one didn't have a ton of information; it was more of a story.

[Tmathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to talk about Chinese New Year with kids.

[Deidra Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical flow, warm and enjoyable to read out loud

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Year promises to bring good luck, and new beginnings.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story with the meanings of "Luna New Year" embedded. This book shows that the holiday is for everyone.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read-aloud. Good illustrations. Good for older preschool-1st grade.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, a Korean-Chinese-American boy tells us about his experiences and wishes for good luck as he plans for the Chinese New Year. Based on the author’s own experiences of celebrating the lunar New Year with both Chinese and Korean traditions, we see how one child’s family celebrates this holiday. The boy tells us about how he helps his mother as she frantically cleans the house in hopes of eliminating bad luck. He does everything he can to make himself completely clean so that he can “soak up some good luck”—even cutting and thoroughly cleaning his nails and flossing his teeth. His He promises to be brave as his family lights firecrackers at midnight and during the firecracker explosions during the Chinese New Year parade. Yangsook Choi’s bright illustrations assist in telling this boy’s story of this festive occasion.

This book would make a nice addition to a K-3 class’s learning of the Chinese New Year. This is a good example of how one boy’s family might celebrate it, even though his family combines Korean and Chinese traditions, explaining that different family’s have different ways of celebrating the same holiday. Students could tell of how they celebrate their culture’s New Year, including the American New Year. I could give examples of how my family celebrates the Jewish New Year with sweet foods in order that we might have a sweet new year. Like the Chinese or lunar New Year, the Jewish New Year is celebrated at a different time of year than the American New Year. I would use this book in conjunction with some other story and informational books to learn more about traditions for celebrating the Chinese New Year, as well as books of other cultures celebrations of non-American New Year to expand students’ knowledge of other cultures celebrations. This would help to not only broaden students’ experiences through books (especially ones containing pictures) if they have little knowledge of such cultural traditions, but to also allow students of other cultures to feel pride and worth in their own traditions. The addition of a guided look at computer websites would add a technology component to this lesson.