Chinese New Year: Rabbit

Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally last for 16 days, beginning on Chinese New Year's Eve (which falls on January 21st in 2023),  and ending with the Lantern Festival, (February 5th in 2023), with each day in between having a name and a meaning. (Chinese New Year 2023: Date Jan. 22, Year of the Rabbit Written by CindyUpdated Dec. 15, 2022). 

The Chinese Zodiac is comprised of 12 animals, each getting a whole year to itself in a 12-year cycle.  The story goes that the Jade Emperor invited all the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they completed the race, would be the order of their appearance in the calendar.  There are many variations of the myth.  To begin with we have the Cat and the Rat; both being terrible swimmers, they opted to ride across the river on the back of the Ox.  This allowed them a great lead on the other animals.  It was as they approached the shore, in an act of what cats to this day consider a great act of treachery,  the Rat to shoved the cat off of the Ox, before leaping off the Ox's head and winning the race.  And so the order in which the animals arrived on the shore begins with the Rat, followed by the  Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.   

Now, for 2023, we consider the 4th animal in this cycle: The Rabbit.  The Rabbit being a creature after my own heart, wanted to avoid swimming.  Having noticed a series of stepping stones across the river, the Rabbit opted to us their natural talents and hopped from stone to stone, until coming across a floating log to ride on.  Now, in the race, the Dragon could have easily won, far ahead of any of the other animals, but being a benevolent creature, he opted instead to help the other animals to cross.  So, it was with a giant puff of air, from the dragon, the Rabbit's log was able to quickly sail across the River thus, allowing the Rabbit to arrive ashore. Now, a part of the legend also tells that the Rabbit being overly cocksure of his great speed, opted to take a nap before starting the race, but when he woke up not only was he not first but, he was shocked that his neighbor, the Ox, whom he frequently mocked for his lack of speed had arrived before him. 

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The Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate renewal and fresh beginnings. In America, this holiday has become an important and exciting cultural tradition. Lively illustrations and informative text teach readers about the history and pastimes associated with the Chinese New Year, as well as what they can do to commemorate the day. Additional features to aid comprehension include activities and poetry, informative sidebars, a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, an index, and an introduction to the author and illustrator.

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Snow is coming, coming soon, so Rabbit needs to find food fast. Just in time, a turnip turns up, and a second one, too. Who in the woods wouldn't want to tuck away an extra turnip for the long winter? Not Rabbit. He chooses a different path--and starts a wave of generosity that spreads among all his forest friends.

Admired picture-book team George Shannon and Laura Dronzek have created a heartwarming tale about the true meaning of friendship.

Includes an author's note and a chart that translates the Chinese calligraphy in the book.

Chinese New Year Colors by Lo, Rich

This vibrant, simple, and highly graphic bilingual book is the perfect introduction to Chinese and English words for colors as it honors one of the biggest holidays around the world.

The Chinese Myths: A Guide to the Gods and Legends by Liu, Tao Tao  "This is a concise and entertaining guide to the complex tradition of Chinese mythology. While many around the world are familiar with some aspects of Chinese myth - through Chinese New Year festivities or the classic adventures of the Monkey King in Journey to the West - few outside of China understand the richness of Chinese mythology, influenced by Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Offering much more than any competing overview of Chinese mythology, The Chinese Myths not only retells the ancient stories but also considers their place within the patterns of Chinese religions, culture and history. Tao Tao Liu introduces us to an intriguing cast of gods, goddesses, dragons and monks, including: the ancient hero, Yi the Archer, who shot suns out of the sky to save humanity from a drought; Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, to whom there are temples dedicated all over East Asia; and Madame White Snake, a water snake spirit in the guise of a mysterious widow, her story adapted into countless films and operas. This book is for anyone interested in China, as knowing its myths allows readers to understand and appreciate its culture in a new light."--. Publisher's description.

Chinese Stories for Language Learners: A Treasury of Proverbs and Folktales in Chinese and English by Ling, Vivian

This book presents 22 classic Chinese proverbs and the traditional tales behind them. The stories are bilingual, with the Chinese and English versions presented on facing pages. Each includes an explanation of how the proverb is used today, cultural notes, vocabulary and discussion questions. Audio recordings of the tales read by native speakers are included--giving students a chance to improve their pronunciation and comprehension.

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings : 15 Retellings of Asian Myths and Legends

Star-crossed lovers, meddling immortals, feigned identities, battles of wits, and dire warnings: these are the stuff of fairy tale, myth, and folklore that have drawn us in for centuries.

Sixteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.

Compiled by We Need Diverse Books's Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman--who both contributed stories to this edition, as well--the authors included in this exquisite collection are: Renée Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong.

A mountain loses her heart. Two sisters transform into birds to escape captivity. A young man learns the true meaning of sacrifice. A young woman takes up her mother's mantle and leads the dead to their final resting place.

From fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge, these stories will beguile readers from start to finish. For fans of Neil Gaiman's Unnatural Creatures and Ameriie's New York Times-bestselling Because You Love to Hate Me.

Four Treasures of the Sky by Zhang, Jenny

"Daiyu never wanted to be like the tragic heroine for whom she was named, revered for her beauty and cursed with heartbreak. But when she is kidnapped and smuggled across an ocean from China to America, Daiyu must relinquish the home and future she imagined for herself. Over the years that follow, she is forced to keep reinventing herself to survive. From a calligraphy school, to a San Francisco brothel, to a shop tucked into the Idaho mountains, we follow Daiyu on a desperate quest to outrun the tragedy that chases her. As anti-Chinese sentiment sweeps across the country in a wave of unimaginable violence, Daiyu must draw on each of the selves she has been-including the ones she most wants to leave behind-in order to finally claim her own name and story. At once a literary tour de force and a groundbreaking work of historical fiction, Four Treasures of the Sky announces Jenny Tinghui Zhang as an indelible new voice. Steeped in untold history and Chinese folklore, this novel is a spellbinding feat"--. Provided by publisher.

The Library of Legends: a novel by Chang, Janie

"China, 1937: When Japanese bombs begin falling on the city of Nanking, nineteen-year-old Hu Lian and her classmates at Minghua University are ordered to flee. Lian and a convoy of more than a hundred students, faculty, and staff must walk a thousand miles to the safety of China's western provinces, a journey marred by hunger, cold, and the constant threat of aerial attack. And it is not just the student refugees who are at risk: Lian and her classmates have been entrusted with a priceless treasure, a 500-year-old collection of myths and folklore known as the Library of Legends. Her family's past has made Lian wary of forming attachments, but the students' common duty to safeguard the Library of Legends forms unexpected bonds. Lian finds friendship and a cautious romance with the handsome and wealthy Liu Shaoming. But after one classmate is murdered and another arrested, Lian realizes she must escape from the convoy before a family secret puts her in danger. Accompanied by Shao and the enigmatic maidservant Sparrow, Lian makes her way to Shanghai, hoping to reunite with her mother. On the journey, Lian learns of the connection between her two companions and a tale from the Library of Legends, The Willow Star and the Prince. Learning Shao and Sparrow's true identities compels Lian to confront her feelings for Shao. But there are broader consequences too, for as the ancient books travel across China, they awaken immortals and guardian spirits to embark on an exodus of their own, one that changes the country's fate forever. Based on true events, rich in Chinese history and lore, The Library of Legends is both an illuminating exploration of China's recent past and an evocative tale of love, sacrifice, and the extraordinary power of storytelling."--Publisher.

Tamamo the Fox Maiden, and other Asian stories. by Spike

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When the Sea Turned to Silver by Lin, Grace

This breathtaking, full-color illustrated fantasy is inspired by Chinese folklore, and is a companion to the Newbery Honor winner Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Pinmei's gentle, loving grandmother always has the most thrilling tales for her granddaughter and the other villagers. However, the peace is shattered one night when soldiers of the Emperor arrive and kidnap the storyteller.

Everyone knows that the Emperor wants something called the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night. Determined to have her grandmother returned, Pinmei embarks on a journey to find the Luminous Stone alongside her friend Yishan, a mysterious boy who seems to have his own secrets to hide. Together, the two must face obstacles usually found only in legends to find the Luminous Stone and save Pinmei's grandmother--before it's too late.

A fast-paced adventure that is extraordinarily written and beautifully illustrated, When the Sea Turned to Silver is a masterpiece companion novel to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky.

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