Celebrated by many Asian cultures and communities across the world, Lunar New Year is observed on the first new moon of the lunar calendar. Celebrations take many forms and feature many traditions. To help make this holiday more meaningful and fun for your family, we've gathered up a list of great audiobooks for listeners of all ages that feature celebrations of the Lunar New Year so you and your little ones can learn more about the holiday and how it is observed. From ceremonies honoring familial ancestors to dances, fireworks, and the stunning glow of the annual Lantern Festival, Lunar New Year is a holiday unlike any other.
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Happy New Year, and best wishes of luck to you and your family for the year ahead!
An enemies-to-lovers romance is a great listen any time of year. But add in traditional Chinese astrology, a granddaughter ready to do anything to maintain her family's cherished matchmaking business, and a dangerously handsome man running a competitive dating app company, and it's the perfect Lunar New Year's treat. Marking the debut of Chinese American novelist Lauren Kung Jessen, Lunar Love is just the sweet and sexy rom-com for starting off the Year of the Rabbit with some hope and positivity.
In this children's classic from Bette Bao Lord, a young girl leaves China with her parents just after World War II to start a new life in America during the Year of the Boar. She picks out her own American name—Shirley Temple Wong—and tries to adjust to life in her new home of Brooklyn, but it's not always easy. As Shirley makes friends and learns about her new home, including falling in love with baseball, she must hold on to her Chinese customs and traditions. Melissa Hughes reads this sweet story, capturing Shirley's open heart and excitement at getting to meet Jackie Robinson!
During the Lunar New Year festivities, can Gege find the perfect moment to present his handcrafted surprise to his little sister? In this sweet family listen read by acclaimed narrator Christopher Lee, children will learn what makes the Lunar New Year special, from preparation to the celebratory new moon signifying the first day of the holiday and the festivities that continue in the following weeks. Whether rice balls for family togetherness, spring rolls for a fresh start, or noodles for long life and happiness, this story's foodie focus shows why the Lunar New Year is also the yummiest celebration of the year.
In this National Book Award winner, Malinda Lo tells the story of Lily, a Chinese American teen in 1950s San Francisco who has grown up insulated in her Chinatown community. But when she and a classmate discover the Telegraph Club, a lesbian bar where they find acceptance and community, Lily's world expands in exciting ways. Emily Woo Zeller narrates this coming-of-age story, which takes place over the weeks leading up to Lunar New Year and showcases some celebrations unique to the novel’s time period and setting.
Performed by Gwendolyn Yeo, this modern American classic from bestselling author Amy Tan revolves around four Chinese women living in San Francisco who are united by a dark past. They faithfully meet to play mahjong, share stories, eat, and support each other for 40 years. When one of the women dies, her daughter takes her place among the circle … unaware of her mother's secret and her final wishes. Celebrating the bonds of friendship among women, The Joy Luck Club is a beautiful novel about culture and traditions, how they are honored over the years but also how they sometimes shift and expand.
In the mood for another delightful holiday rom-com? Rent a Boyfriend is a smart and funny novel about a young Taiwanese American woman with a dilemma. A college student, Chloe is desperate to end her parents' dream of seeing her engaged to Hongbo, the wealthiest bachelor in their tight-knit community. So, she decides to hire a boyfriend for the holiday season. On paper, Drew is everything Chloe's traditional parents could want in a suitor for their daughter. But in reality, he's working as a rental boyfriend because his parents cut him off for pursuing his artistic dreams. As Chloe and Drew start to fall for each other, can they find a way to truly be together? Emily Woo Zeller and Feodor Chin are the perfect pair to narrate this dual-POV novel.
Narrator Kim Mai Guest captures the voice and spirit of Pacy, the young girl at the heart of Grace Lin's Newbery Award–winning debut novel. When her mom tells her that this is a great year for "finding herself," Pacy is excited and starts searching right away. But it's easier said than done! Day by day and month after month, Pacy struggles to discover what makes her special and faces disappointment head on. Along the way, she makes a new best friend and finally comes to see why the Year of the Dog is a lucky one after all. Young listeners can continue following Pacy's adventures in the captivating sequel, The Year of the Rat.
Narrated by Tyler Tetsuda, Hard Sell is a romance novel about two extremely driven men who find that their business plans are derailed by their feelings for each other. Danny Ip is successful at making money because he does what's practical and efficient. So, when he sets out to acquire a struggling tech company, his plan is to shut it down, as soon as he squeezes the last remaining revenue out of it for his portfolio. But he doesn't expect Tobin Lok, his best friend's younger brother and the best one-night stand he's ever had, to be the one to plead for WesTec's second chance at success.
The second book in a delightful series for young listeners by Lyla Lee, this story focuses on Mindy Kim as she looks forward to celebrating the New Year—even if it is the first one without her mom. As Mindy sets out to make the traditional Korean rice cake soup she loves, she runs into a few snags and starts to feel sad. Can Mindy find a way to honor and enjoy the traditions she shared with her mom while making peace with change and creating new ones? Jane Ye narrates this Lunar New Year's tale with the heart and gentle humor it deserves.
In Natasha Yim's humorous retelling of Goldilocks the the Three Bears, Goldy Luck is tasked by her mom with bringing some turnip cakes to her neighbors for the upcoming New Year celebration. But when she arrives. no one is there to greet her. Nonetheless, Goldy Luck makes herself quite at home inside the Chans's house, with unexpected results. This is the perfect book for kids to grasp the importance of taking responsibility, all while learning a bit more about Lunar New Year.
Faryn and her brother dream of becoming dragon warriors, but the Jade Society has shunned them ever since their father disappeared. When Faryn inadvertently stumbles into a battle against a demon and helps defeat it, the Jade Society is forced to admit that she just might be more powerful than they thought. To prove her worth, Faryn must embark on a scavenger hunt across San Francisco. leading up the Lunar New Year. Siu-see Hung narrates Katie Zhao's action-packed middle grade fantasy adventure.
In this charming and inclusive book for kids, Janina Edwards narrates a story of a school where diversity is celebrated and children from all communities and backgrounds come together to celebrate Lunar New Year. Beyond a great back-to-school book and a wonderful holiday tie-in, All Are Welcome encourages little listeners to be curious, respectful, and accepting of all cultures.
In Chinese culture, the new year is celebrated through 12 distinct zodiac animals, each known for its power to map a person’s behavior, character, and fate. The Chinese Zodiac in Cultures and Traditions, an immersive six-lecture course led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Cindy I-Fen Cheng, guides listeners through the cultural importance and traditions of the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Along the way, you’ll learn how the Chinese zodiac synthesizes many different schools of thought and serves as an ever-changing guide to Chinese culture more broadly.
