Long-Long's New Year: A Story About The Chinese Spring Festival

Author: Catherine Gower
Illustrated by: He Zhihong
Hardcover: 32 page(s)
Age Range: 4 - 8

Book Description:

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a little Chinese boy named Long-Long accompanies his grandfather into the city to sell cabbages in order to buy food and decorations for the New Year. Selling cabbages is harder than Long-Long expects, and he encounters many adventures before he finds a way to help his grandfather, and earn New Year's treats for his mother and little cousin. The stunning, authentic illustrations-by a talented Chinese artist-capture the look of everyday life in rural China. Combined with the charming story of Long-Long's trip to the city, they offer a unique introduction to Chinese culture. Includes a glossary of Chinese terms.

School Library Journal
Long-Long and Grandpa bicycle to town to make money to celebrate the Spring Festival. As Grandpa unsuccessfully tries to sell his goods, the boy takes the bike to a shop for repairs. While he waits, Long-Long helps the repairman pump tires and earns a yuan for his efforts. He also leads a street cook to Grandpa's cabbages and soon the vegetables are all sold. After buying provisions for the festival, Long-Long purchases small gifts for his family, watches a holiday procession, and enjoys a toffee fruit treat, and the two return home just in time to celebrate. The final spread includes the legend of "The Very First Chinese Spring Festival," as well as a glossary of Chinese words. Gower's simple, appealing story aptly captures the details of the festival as well as specifics of Chinese life. Zhihong's softly colored, detailed drawings on tan rice paper evoke both the bustle of a preholiday marketplace as well as the gentle warmth shared by grandfather and grandchild. Children will relate to awestruck Long-Long and his excitement for the pending celebration. Many picture books about the Chinese New Year focus on a Chinese-American child's experience. This attractive volume will add depth to any holiday collection since it is one of the few titles set in China.

Booklist
To earn money for the upcoming Spring Festival (also known as Chinese New Year), Long-Long and his grandfather take a bicycle cart loaded with cabbages into town on market day. At first everyone overlooks their wares, but Long-Long befriends a cook who berates a nearby seller for her inferior cabbages. Soon, buyers flock to Long-Long and his grandfather instead. Their cabbage sales are so successful that Grandpa gives Long-Long 10 yuan, which he spends on presents for his mother and little sister. Writing in an understated style, Gower places a likable boy in a difficult situation and shows how he succeeds because of his willingness to work and a kind heart. The illustrator, who is Chinese, contributes a series of distinctive pictures that often do their storytelling across two-page spreads. The golden tone of the backgrounds gives a warm glow to the sensitive, detailed drawings, brightened with colorful washes. Primary-grade teachers looking for Chinese New Year stories to read aloud will find this an appealing choice. It complements books set in Chinatown but is all the more welcome for showing a child's life in China.