Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Little girl plays big role in fun Chinese New Year story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As her family scurries around getting ready for the big Chinese New Year celebration at their Chinatown restaurant, younger sister Jia (pronounced "Jah") keeps offering to help but gets told she's too young to help in the kitchen, carry plates, move big chairs, climb up a ladder, or light the lanterns. When she has almost given up, the lead dancer hidden in the giant lion costume scoops her up and puts Jia on her shoulders to grab the cabbage from a pole that another dancer is waving in front of the lion's mouth. Thanks to her little hands, Jia finally becomes THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HELPER.
Is It Any Good?
This delightful picture book uses the specifics of a Lunar New Year celebration to make a universal point about never being too young to help. And never underestimating little ones! The Chinese New Year Helper offers information about the holiday's traditions and symbols in Chinese culture, while author Ying Chang Compestine keeps the focus on one girl's desire to contribute in a meaningful way. Ginnie Hsu's lively illustrations of an enthusiastic, diverse crowd at the dinner and lion dance performance at Jia's family's restaurant underscore the inclusive nature of the holiday.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the traditions and symbols of the holiday shown in The Chinese New Year Helper. What 's the meaning of the lion dance? Why are cabbage leaves thrown to the crowd?
Has anyone ever told you that you couldn't do something because you're too young or too small? What happened? How did it make you feel?
Jia keeps offering to help even though grown-ups and her brother tell her she's too young. Why is perseverance an important character strength?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Ginnie Hsu
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Cooking , Arts , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Rocky Pond Books
- Publication date : December 17, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 7
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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