Best Picture Books about Lunar New Year (2026): 5 Compared

Finding the best picture books about lunar new year starts with the child who will hear the story: a preschooler meeting the holiday for the first time, or a young reader ready to compare traditions across cultures. We compared picture books on what each listing actually publishes, from listed reading age to the customs each story covers.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Bringing In the New Year	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Lunar New Year (Board Book)	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Playing with Lanterns by Wang	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Our Lunar New Year by Qiu	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Ruby's Chinese New Year	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Bringing In the New Year

Grace Lin·9.8/10 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 Chinese American family prepares for Lunar New Year: sweeping, decorating, dumplings, and a dragon parade with a surprise fold-out page.

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Pros

• Tailor-made for reading aloud, per the description
• Surprise fold-out dragon parade page at the end
• Covers real preparations: sweeping, decorations, dumplings, new clothes

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• Reprint edition from 2010, so the art style is older than the newest picks
• The dragon parade fold-out is a single spread, not the whole book

2

Lunar New Year (Board Book)

Hannah Eliot·9.8/10 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 board book introducing Lunar New Year traditions, with artwork by Chinese illustrator Alina Chau, from the Celebrate the World series.

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Pros

• Board book format survives toddlers
• Artwork by Chinese illustrator Alina Chau
• Introduces lanterns, fireworks and dragon dances simply

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• At 24 pages it is the shortest pick here
• Board book format means a simple text, not a full story

3

Playing with Lanterns by Wang

Wang Yage·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 ›

For ages 3 - 7, a lantern-lit story of a Chinese New Year folk custom, with an author's note on the tradition.

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Pros

• The listing states a reading age of 3 - 7 years and grade level Preschool - 2, and they agree.
• The description says an author's note explains the paper lantern tradition.
• The description says the book was first published in China and follows a folk custom.

Cons

• The description mentions lit candles inside paper lanterns, so preview that detail for a young reader.
• It stays with the lantern custom rather than covering the holiday's other traditions.
• No glossary or activity pages are stated in the listing.

4

Our Lunar New Year by Qiu

Yobe Qiu·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 ›

For ages 2 - 8, one book touring Lunar New Year traditions in China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and India.

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Pros

• The listing gives a reading age of 2 - 8 years.
• Covers celebrations in China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and India in one 39-page volume.
• The listing marks the book as illustrated.

Cons

• No grade level is stated in the listing.
• The 2 - 8 years reading age spans a wide band for a single book.
• The listing states no series or companion-book information.

5

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

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More picks to compare

• The Night Before Lunar New YearFor ages 4 to 6, a night-before story about parade nerves and dumpling prep.Check on Amazon
• A Sweet New Year for RenFor ages 4 to 8, a family story with a pineapple cake recipe.Check on Amazon
• Maisy's Chinese New YearFor ages 3 to 7, Maisy and friends with a visual glossary.Check on Amazon
• Lunar New Year with CaterpillarFor ages 1 to 3, a tabbed board book with flaps.Check on Amazon
• Chloe's Lunar New YearFor ages 4 to 8, a Taiwanese feast story with back matter facts.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Two of the five picks state a reading age, and one of those also states a grade level, while the remaining picks list no age or grade data at all. 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 lunar new year

Match the reading age to the listener

Two listings state a reading age: Playing with Lanterns lists 3 – 7 years with grade Preschool – 2, and Our Lunar New Year lists 2 – 8 years. When a listing gives no age or grade, preview the book against your own reader before buying. Browse more picture books by the same measure.

Pick one tradition or a tour of many

Some books stay with a single custom: Playing with Lanterns follows the paper lantern tradition through the holiday nights. Others travel: Our Lunar New Year visits celebrations in China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and India. For wider holiday reading, see our best children’s books about Lunar New Year.

Before you buy

• Check the listing’s reading age or grade level against your reader, and note when none is stated.
• Confirm the edition and publication date on the listing, and which book of a series you are buying.
• Read the description for details to preview, such as the lit candles in the lantern story, before reading with a young child.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these Lunar New Year picture books for?

The listings that state one give reading ages of 3 – 7 years and 2 – 8 years, which suit preschool and early elementary readers. The other listings state no age, so match them to your own reader.

Do any of these books cover more than one culture?

Yes. The Our Lunar New Year listing describes celebrations in China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and India. The other picks focus on a single custom or story.

Where should a new reader start with Lunar New Year books?

Start with the pick whose stated age fits your reader: Playing with Lanterns states 3 – 7 years, and Our Lunar New Year states 2 – 8 years. Both state their reading age on the listing.

Still deciding? Our top pickBringing In the New Year

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Related lists

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

More lists: picture books about Ramadan, picture books about Christmas and picture books about diversity.