D Is for Dragon Dance

We have a few books about Chinese New Year, but they are all story books that include few details about the actual holiday and traditions. This book is excellent in how it covers so many important aspects of the holiday. So glad we have this!

My daughter just received this book as a gift for her 3rd birthday. She loves the book. My husband and I also enjoy the book. A good book to add to your 'international' book collection.

From Acrobats to Zodiac, this is a book that uses the alphabet to introduce many different aspects of Chinese New Year to preK-K-aged kids (though my 8-year-old liked this one, too). Instructional for adults is the last page which contains notes from the author, such as "tips to ensure good fortune in the New Year," information about the Chinese characters that appear in the book, and a recipe for dumplings. A fun read!

D Is For Dragon Dance is an alphabet picturebook about the theme of Chinese New Year's festivities, from the importance of connecting with family ("G is for Grandma and Grandpa") to New Year's customs ("O is for Oranges" - they are given as a sign of good fortune) to protections against evil spirits ("X is for Xylograph", a wood carving on the door meant to keep evil spirits out). Full-color illustrations by Yongsheng Xuan blend a feel for traditional Chinese art with vibrancy and energy bursting off of the page. A fun way for young readers to learn about Chinese culture and their ABC's at the same time.

D is for Dragon Dance is an absolutley beautiful book that has information on the Chinese New Year done so in an A to Z fashion. Each page is a work of art because if you look at it you will notice that underneath each drawing is Chinese Characters, some represent a single word and others a saying. The characters where done in 4 different calligraphy styles 3 from the dynasty they where from and 1 in the cursive or grass style. On the last page of the book in the author's note, under the artist note you will see the word Dragon and how it looks in each of the 4 styles. With the characters underneath each painting, it give each page a textured look that makes fools your eyes and makes your hands go to feel each page, only to be disappointed that it feels paper smooth and not textured as you see. I love the way the artist draws, his children are beautiful! Here is the break down of what each letter stands for. A - Acrobats B - Balls (shows a acrobat in a 2 person Fu dog / lion dancers balanced on a ball) C - Calligraphy D - Dragon Dance E _ Evil Spirits F - Firecrackers G - Grandma & Grandpa H - Haircut ( the author probablty didn't have the space to mention it, but one should only get their hair cut before the New Year and not during the New Year Celebrations because you'll be cutting off all of your good luck) I - Incense J - Jade K - Kites L - Lanterns M - Moon N - Noodles O - Oranges P - Peking Duck Q - Quiz R - Red Envelopes S - Steamed Dumplings ( Yum!!) T - Tradition U - Unity V - Veneration W - Wish X - Xylograph Y - Yo - Yos Z - Zodiac ( 12 year cycle) This one starts in the year 1981 the year od the rooster and ends in 2016 in the year of the monkey. On the last page is both the author's and artists notes on the book as well as a receipe for New Year's Dumplings Delight and Soy-Garlic Dipping Sauce, which I can't wait to try.

It's a given that we can learn a great deal from other cultures, other customs, and there's not a better time to start than when we're young. "D Is For Dragon Dance" is both entertaining and educational as it tells about the Chinese New Year with all its color and unique traditions (my favorite is how youngsters greet the New Year by honoring their parents!) An alphabet book, it begins with "A is for Acrobats," takes us through to K and L for Kites and Lanterns, then concludes with "Z is for Zodiac," explaining that the Chinese calendar is a 12 year cycle with each year represented by a different animal. Yongsheng Xuan has created boldly colored full page illustrations in watercolor, acrylic and latex. They're all eye-poppers. Also included is an author's note with tips to ensure good fortune in the New Year (clean the house before the New Year starts and light firecrackers to scare off evil spirits, etc.) Plus, there's a recipe for dumplings called "New Year's Dumpling Delight." "D is for Dragon Dance" is a sure kid pleaser bound to elicit lots of interesting dinner table conversations. - Gail Cooke