24 Delightful Lunar New Year Books for Kids

Baby Loves Lunar Phases on Chinese New Year by Ruth Spiro

This STEM-focused board book pairs Chinese New Year fun with an easy, engaging introduction to the moon’s phases and orbit. Through simple language and bright illustrations, little readers will learn why the moon changes shape during the lunar cycle. It’s a curiosity-sparking pick that readers of all ages will enjoy!

First Festivals: Lunar New Year by Ladybird

This interactive lift-the-flap board book is a great way to introduce little readers to Lunar New Year traditions. With simple text and cute illustrations, kids can peek under the flaps to discover dragon dances, lanterns, gifts, and more. It’s a fun, hands-on celebration of the holiday that toddlers will love exploring.

Happy Lunar New Year! by Sonali Fry

This sweet Sesame Street board book follows Elmo as he learns how his friends celebrate Lunar New Year in different parts of the world. Ji-Young introduces him to Korean Seollal traditions, while Lily the Tiger shares how her family celebrates in China. It’s a colourful, friendly introduction to the holiday that little readers will adore.

It’s Your Year, Baby Horse by Little Bee Books

This adorable board book is a perfect pick for celebrating the Year of the Horse. Through sweet animal characters and simple, positive traits, little readers are introduced to the Chinese zodiac at an early age. It’s a cheerful, festive addition to any Lunar New Year book collection.

Lunar New Year by Hannah Eliot

This charming board book from the Celebrate the World series offers a simple, engaging look at the Lunar New Year and the many names it’s known by. With bright, welcoming illustrations, little readers learn about traditions like lanterns, fireworks, dragon dances, and time spent with loved ones. It’s a sweet, accessible introduction to why this holiday is so meaningful.

LunarTale: A New Year’s Adventure by Stella Hong

This adorable board book follows two siblings on their journey to Grandma’s house for Lunar New Year, guided along the way by the magical animals of the zodiac. With peek-through pages and flaps to open, little readers can explore each stop on their adventure. It’s a perfect interactive and festive choice to celebrate the holiday.

A Sweet New Year for Ren by Michelle Sterling

A Sweet New Year for Ren is a wonderful book on this list that highlights the traditions of Lunar New Year. It follows Ren and her family as they prepare for the New Year. Even though Ren has been too young to help make the pineapple cakes, maybe this will be the year she can lend a hand!

Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin

This book is just so sweet—it’s a great option for celebrating Lunar New Year. Every family member has an important role to play as they prepare to celebrate with family and friends. There are lanterns, dancers, fireworks and more. With beautiful illustrations and charming text, Bringing in the New Year is a great choice.

Chloe’s Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte

Chloe joins her family as they celebrate their Lunar New Year traditions. It’s difficult without her A-má, but there are ways to honour and remember her while they celebrate. Chloe’s Lunar New Year reflects the joy of the celebration even in the face of loss.

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim

There’s nothing better than an adorable retelling. It follows Goldy Luck, who visits the home of a Panda family. While there, she brings a little bit of chaos—and readers will love it. This retelling is guaranteed to make you smile!

Grumpy New Year by Katrina Moore

The sequel to Grandpa Grumps, this book is a wonderful choice. When Daisy travels to China, she’s excited to see her Yeh-Yeh and celebrate the Lunar New Year. While there, she has trouble sleeping, which makes her grumpy. It’s a heartwarming story and is perfect for young readers who share a close bond with a grandparent.

How to Catch a Dragon by Adam Wallace

The How to Catch series is one of my favourites—it’s wonderful that there is a book to help celebrate Lunar New Year. The How to Catch kids are trying to catch a dragon, which takes them through the celebrations of the Chinese New Year. As a bonus, it includes Mandarin at the back!

Logan’s Lantern by Lucy Tandon Copp

Logan can’t wait for the Lunar New Year lantern festival, especially with the little dragon lantern he’s made himself. When his dragon admits he’s afraid of the dark, Logan must find the courage to help him make the journey together. It’s a sweet and uplifting story about bravery, friendship, and the magic of the Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year by Mary Man-Kong

If you’re anything like me, you probably love adding Little Golden Books to your collection. Lunar New Year introduces readers to the zodiac animals, traditional foods, parades, and other fun customs celebrated during the holiday. If you’re looking for an entertaining, educational story, this is a great choice.

Lunar New Year by Natasha Yim

Lunar New Year follows a family as they tidy their home and prepare for the New Year’s celebrations. It’s a warm, charming narrative nonfiction book that teaches young readers about the Lunar New Year tradition while also capturing the magic of the festivities.

Mai’s Áo Dài by Thai Nguyen and Monique Truong

This heartfelt picture book follows Mai as she prepares for Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and discovers the beauty and meaning behind wearing a traditional áo dài. With guidance from her Ba Noi, Mai learns how family history, heritage, and love are woven into every stitch. It’s a tender, empowering celebration of culture, tradition, and the ties that connect generations.

Mulan’s Lunar New Year by Natasha Yim

There’s nothing better than celebrating Lunar New Year with a Disney Princess. I love this book, and not just because Mulan is the main character. Mulan enjoys Lunar New Year, and she’s finally old enough to help with the preparations. Unfortunately, everything she helps with goes terribly wrong. It’s a wonderful story about family and traditions that readers of all ages will enjoy!

Ping’s Perfect Pot by Helen H. Wu

This gentle story combines Lunar New Year traditions with a heartfelt message about learning, growing, and finding pride in the effort itself. Ping is excited to make a special pot for her family’s Lunar New Year tangerine tree, but each attempt seems to fall apart—literally. As she continues trying, her grandpa reminds her that meaningful things take time, care, and a little resilience.

Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee

If you’re looking for another book that focuses on the zodiac signs, Ruby’s Chinese New Year is a great choice. Ruby is on her way to deliver a special Chinese New Year card to her grandmother, and along the way, she meets each of the twelve zodiac animals. Every encounter helps her get a little closer to her destination. It’s a wonderful story with stunning illustrations.

Sparkles for Sunny by Sylvia Chen

Sunny is tired of wearing her sister’s hand-me-down qípáo every Lunar New Year, but the Lao Family Way means nothing can go to waste. Determined to express herself while still honouring her family’s traditions, she sets out to make this year feel a little more her. It’s a sweet, funny story about creativity, identity, and celebrating Lunar New Year in your own sparkly way.

The 12 Days of Lunar New Year by Jenna Lettice

This playful picture book puts a Lunar New Year spin on “The 12 Days of Christmas,” inviting kids to count along as families prepare for the holiday. From honouring ancestors to celebrating with their community, each page highlights a different tradition in cheerful rhyme. It’s a sweet, festive read-aloud with bright illustrations and lots of interactive fun for little readers.

The Night Before Lunar New Year by Natasha Wing and Lingfeng Ho

This charming addition to the Night Before series follows a little girl as she prepares for Lunar New Year, from making dumplings to picking out a new dress and learning about the legend of Nian. She’s excited for the festivities—but a bit worried about the loud parade ahead. With its familiar rhyming style and festive spirit, this story offers a sweet blend of tradition, anticipation, and courage.

The Tray of Togetherness by Flo Leung

This food-filled picture book follows a little girl as her family prepares their Tray of Togetherness—a special box of lucky snacks shared during Lunar New Year. From visiting the market to handing out treats to neighbours, every moment highlights the joy of food, community, and tradition. If you love a good book about food and traditions, this is a great choice.

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day by Aram Kim

This delightful picture book follows Mina as she shares her favourite holiday, Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, with her classmates. From wearing her hanbok to making tteokguk, Mina introduces the traditions she loves, even convincing her little brother to join in. It’s a joyful story perfect for nighttime reading or classroom read-alouds.