Best Picture Books About Chinese New Year (2026): 5 Compared

Chinese New Year brings lanterns, dragon dances, red envelopes and the zodiac animals, which makes it one of the most fun holidays to read about. The best picture books about chinese new year match the listed reading age and show real traditions, not just decorations. We compared five books by age fit, pages, format and publisher, using only what each Amazon listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Ruby's Chinese New Year	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Celebrate Chinese New Year	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	My First Chinese New Year	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Curious George Chinese New Year	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Peppa's Chinese New Year	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Ruby's Chinese New Year

Vickie Lee·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 40-page picture book where Ruby meets the twelve zodiac animals on her way to her grandmother, for ages 4-8; the pick for the story.

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Pros

• Reading age 4-8, the widest range here
• 40 pages, the longest book here
• Back matter on the zodiac animals

Cons

• Longest read, less for toddlers
• Published December 6, 2022
• Zodiac focus may need explaining

2

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Carolyn Otto·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page National Geographic book with 25 colorful images on the holiday's history and customs, for ages 3-8; the pick for learning.

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Pros

• Reading age 3-8 with grade level 1-3
• 25 colorful images
• Educational text on history and customs

Cons

• Published December 22, 2015, the oldest here
• Less of a story, more of an explainer
• Reprint edition

3

My First Chinese New Year

Karen Katz·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page Karen Katz book following a little girl learning to welcome the new year, for ages 2-5; the pick for first-timers.

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Pros

• Warm introduction for the youngest readers
• Reading age 2-5
• 32 pages of festive scenes

Cons

• Skews young for ages 6 and up
• Published December 11, 2012
• Simple text, less detail on customs

4

Curious George Chinese New Year

H. A. Rey·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 16-page rhyming board book with Curious George and Mei celebrating the traditions, for ages 3-7; the pick for durability.

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Pros

• Tabbed board book for littlest hands
• Rhyming text, colorful illustrations
• Covers cleaning, red clothes, feast, fireworks

Cons

• Only 16 pages, the shortest here
• Board book limits detail
• George fans only for full appeal

5

Peppa's Chinese New Year

EOne·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 24-page Peppa Pig storybook with lanterns, fortune cookies and a dragon dance, for ages 2-4; the pick for Peppa fans.

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Pros

• Peppa Pig characters kids know
• Lanterns, fortune cookies, dragon dance
• 24 pages, quick read

Cons

• Reading age 2-4, the youngest range here
• Published December 26, 2018
• TV tie-in, less cultural depth

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More picks to compare

• The Night Before Lunar New YearFor ages 4-6: Lunar New Year traditions, Night Before series.Check on Amazon
• A New Year's ReunionFor family love: award-winning reunion story, 40 pages.Check on Amazon
• Nian, The Chinese New Year DragonFor the Nian legend: dragon origin story, ages 6-8.Check on Amazon
• Lunar New Year Golden BookFor little ones: Little Golden Book, ages 2-5.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. Here performance means age fit and how much real tradition the book covers, and safety means the listed reading age guidance. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about chinese new year

Match the listed reading age

The five books span ages 2 to 8. Ruby’s Chinese New Year lists 4-8, the widest range here at 40 pages, while Celebrate Chinese New Year lists 3-8 with 25 colorful images. My First Chinese New Year lists 2-5 for the youngest readers, Curious George lists 3-7 as a board book, and Peppa lists 2-4. For a preschooler, the 2-5 and 2-4 picks fit; for early elementary, the 4-8 and 3-8 picks give more substance. Browse our picture books lists for more age-matched picks.

Story or education?

Three of the five teach through a character’s journey: Ruby delivers a card to her grandmother meeting the twelve zodiac animals, Karen Katz’s little girl learns to welcome the year, and Curious George prepares with Mei’s family. The National Geographic book is the educational pick, with simple text on the holiday’s history and customs. The Peppa book is pure character fun with lanterns, fortune cookies and a dragon dance. For more holiday reading, see our best children’s books about lunar new year list.

Format for little hands

Curious George is a tabbed board book at 16 pages, built for the littlest hands with rhyming text. The other four are standard picture books at 24 to 40 pages. Ruby’s 40 pages is the longest here, which suits older readers who want a fuller story. Board books survive chewing and throwing; longer paperbacks suit a five- or six-year-old who sits through a full story.

Setup Notes

• Check the listed reading age; the five books span ages 2 to 8.
• Board books suit toddlers; 32-40 page paperbacks suit ages 4 and up.
• Pair the book with the holiday: read it in the weeks before the new year.

Before you buy

Chinese New Year moves each year, so buy early in January to read before the holiday. If your child loves a character, the Peppa and Curious George picks make the traditions stick; if you want depth, the Ruby and National Geographic picks teach more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is best for a 3-year-old?

My First Chinese New Year lists ages 2-5 with a warm, simple introduction, and the Curious George board book at ages 3-7 survives rough handling.

Which book teaches the zodiac animals?

Ruby’s Chinese New Year meets all twelve zodiac animals on Ruby’s journey and includes back matter on them.

Which is best for learning the holiday’s meaning?

The National Geographic Holidays Around the World book covers the history and customs with 25 colorful images and educational text.

Still deciding? Our top pickRuby's Chinese New Year

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens books lists.

More lists: children’s books about lunar new year and picture books for new years.