Lunar New Year is a wonderful celebration of family and good fortune in the coming year. 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon with festivities beginning on 10th February and culminating with the Lantern Festival on 24th February.

Here is a selection of books to celebrate the Lunar New Year and introduce young people to this exciting festival.

Our Family Dragon by Rebecca Lim & Cai Tse (illus.)

I can't wait till the dragon gets here!

It's New Year's Eve - the Lunar New Year. We are in Australia, but Bàba says people around the world have celebrated it for thousands of years.It's my very favourite time.Especially when the dragon is coming.

A gorgeous story that celebrates family, tradition and the magic of the season.

First Festivals: Lunar New Year by Ladybird

Discover the celebration of Lunar New Year with this bright, interactive lift-the-flap book!

Featuring simple text, gorgeous illustrations and satisfying lift-the-flaps, this book explores common traditions and helps young children understand the importance of this special holiday. Lift the flaps to reveal gifts being opened, a dragon dance being performed, a lantern taking to the skies and firecrackers and fireworks exploding in the night sky.

New Year Surprise! by Christopher Cheng & Di Wu (illus.)

Little Brother is told by his brother and his friends that he's too small to help out at the Spring Festival. He's too little to fly a kite and he's not strong enough to hold a dragon pole. But Father says he has a special job to do. What can it be?

He knows it's not hanging the lanterns up, as Father has already done that. He knows it's not choosing the treats from the hawker as Father has already chosen a duck. He knows it's not serving tea or lighting fire crackers as he did those jobs last year.

The Lucky Red Envelope by Vikki Zhang

Get ready for Lunar New Year, following a little girl and her family as they get ready for and celebrate the Lunar New Year festival.

With non-fiction information about the significance of certain rituals, but told through the excited eyes of a child, this is a book to return to year after year in the run up to the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

Chloe's Lunar New Year by Lily LaMotte & Michelle Lee (illus.)

It’s almost Lunar New Year, and Chloe can’t wait to celebrate! But first, Chloe and her family must prepare for the new year. They buy new shoes, lay out good-luck oranges in a bowl, decorate the red envelope, and make a crispy turnip cake. Everyone comes together to cook a fantastic feast, saving a plate for A-ma, of course. Chloe enjoys the festive celebration and yummy food, but most of all, she loves spending time with her family.

New Year by Mei Zihan & Qin Leng (illus.)

It’s Lunar New Year, a time when families come together for a wonderful feast, and a father longs to be with his daughter - but she lives in another country. As he imagines how his daughter is spending the festivities, he recalls fond memories of time spent with her, feeling a sense of loss and dislocation. While he misses her deeply, he also recognises her need to move away, grow up, and become herself.

Lunar New Year Around the World by Amanda Li & Angel Chang (illus.)

Find out all about Lunar New Year and how it is celebrated in different communities across the world!

This stunning picture book is the perfect introduction for little ones to Lunar New Year celebrations. The most colourful time of the year is celebrated in communities around the world and you can now discover how it’s celebrated through the eyes of the children who live there.

Lunar New Year Magic Painting Book by Amy Chiu & Bonnie Pang (illus.)

Simply add water to bring vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations magically to life.

Packed with joyful scenes showing Lunar New Year being celebrated in different countries around the world, from dragon dancers and delicious food to kite flying in South Korea and a gloriously decorated temple in Malaysia. Just brush water over the black and white designs to reveal an array of vivid hues.

Dragon Noodle Party by Ying Chang Compestine & Paula Pang (illus.)

It's almost time for the party! One-by-one all the animals of the zodiac go up the hill, each one carrying an ingredient. Except for snake, that is. It's his birthday! All of his friends have prepared long noodles to celebrate his long and happy life. Simple text is paired with delightful, friendly art in this joyous look at the Chinese tradition of preparing long noodles to celebrate birthdays, the New Year, and other festive occasions.