A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
This is the story of Chinese New Year, as experienced by Maomao, a young girl whose father works far away, and can travel home only for the important holiday. When the father arrives home, the family of three make sticky rice balls (yuanxiao), fix up the house, and watch a dragon dance weave its way through town. The illustrations are touching, the bright colors of the Chinese New Year celebration and child’s clothing contrast with dark colors of the father’s clothing. I love this book because it captures Chinese New Year as experienced by many families across China. It captures both the joy of being reunited as well as the sorrow of separation when the father must return to work, all through a child’s eyes. For three days during the Chinese New Year Celebration, a young girl and her mother are reunited with her father. Together, they enjoy the special festivities of the holiday as well as simple everyday activities - running errands, housework - that seem special with daddy home. These illustrations somehow feel both quaint and sophisticated, perhaps reflecting the traditional and contemporary qualities of modern Chinese life. I didn't think that gouache paintings, with such broad strokes and saturated colors, could convey such subtle, tender emotions as those Zhu Cheng-Liang has rendered for this book. Surprisingly stirring.
What do You think about A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story (2011)?
Loved the illustrations. Family, Chinese New Year themes, but a not so happy ending :-(
—_Mascara
A nice book. I was hoping for more about the Chinese New Year celebration.
—AngelikaLight
A poignant, beauitfully illustrated family story from China.
—Sarai10
realistic story of family in China celebrating together.
—Kris_225
