3 Children's Books to Read this January

With cold, billowy weather in store for us this month, it's the perfect time to find a cozy reading nook at home and start chipping away at your family's 2022 reading goal. Since it's the beginning of 2022, this list of reading recommendations focuses on the traditions and festivals that take place across different cultures during this time. From setting New Year's resolutions to the Chinese Lunar New Year, you and your children can learn about the unique traditions practiced to celebrate "Auld Lang Syne."

Bringing in the New Year (2008)

Written and illustrated by Grace Lin

"This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade to help bring in the Lunar New Year. And the dragon parade in our book is extra long–on a surprise fold-out page at the end of the story. Grace Lin’s artwork is a bright and gloriously patterned celebration in itself! And her story is tailor-made for reading aloud.…" —Penguin Random House

Calgary Public Library Link: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C556403

Squirrel's New Year's Resolution (2010)

Written by Pat Miller and illustrated by Kathi Ember

"Squirrel knows that New Year's Day is a great day for making resolutions! But what does it mean to make a resolution, anyway? As she makes visits around the forest she learns about New Year's resolutions and helps her friends get started on theirs. If only she can think of a resolution of her very own." —Calgary Public Library

Calgary Public Library Link: https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S95C679488
Accompanying Activities: https://www.patmillerbooks.com/activities-squirrels-new-years-resolution.html

Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas (2007)

Written by Gail Piernas-Davenport and illustrated by Marrion Eldridge

"In this multicultural New Years story, Shanté Keys learns about Chinese New Year and Diwali, as well as how January 1st is celebrated in other countries. The author includes additional pages of information about diverse New Years traditions and special foods." —Goodreads