Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Celebrate lion dancing in a festive Lunar New Year tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
At their kung fu class, siblings Lily and Noah watch lion dancers practice for a Lunar New Year performance in We Are Lion Dancers. They ask about the meaning of the lion dance and learn that it is performed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck and happiness to everyone. They also learn about different styles of lion dancing and when it is performed. The kids ask if they can be lion dancers, and they give it a try, only to find out that the head is too heavy for them to handle and the body is too big. Lily and Noah then figure out ways to be part of the fun. They make their own costume at home, and play musical instruments for the public parade. Along the way, they learn about the significance of cabbage, lucky envelopes, and banners as part of the performance.
Is It Any Good?
One popular East Asian tradition is joyfully celebrated with a narrow focus on its significance for Lunar New Year and its Chinese culture as brought to the United States or Canada. At their kung fu class, a brother and sister watch lion dancers practice, and they're inspired to find out more in We Are Lion Dancers. They also try out lion dancing themselves to both comedic and disappointing results. Bright cartoon-style art captures the excitement of these super-cute sibs, yet too small to handle the lion's head and body themselves but big enough to be part of the fun. Respect for tradition permeates this charming tale about teamwork and perseverance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about We Are Lion Dancers and think about favorite holidays that they celebrate. Do you have a favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite? How do you celebrate?
The brother and sister in this story are too small to handle the lion dance costume themselves. Have you ever been too small to do something? If so, what did you do about that?
Lily and Noah want to be lion dancers. They are curious to know what it is like to be a lion dancer, and they show perseverance and teamwork to try. Have you ever been in a situation that calls on you to show similar character strengths?
The bright art is cartoon-style. How do you feel about that style for this story? Does it fit the words? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Arts , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Workshop
- Publication date : December 31, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 7
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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