The night before Lunar New Year

K-Gr 2--Lunar New Year is featured in this latest installment of Wing's "The Night Before" series. Simple rhyming text and illustrations show an Asian family getting ready for and participating in Lunar New Year festivities. Ho and Wing bring authenticity to the examples of activities for this holiday, including a parade featuring the Nian monster, feeding a lion mascot oranges and lettuce, giving red envelopes containing money, and hanging spring poems. However, there is no strong plot, and the book lacks a glossary of the included terms and context for the displayed customs. Interested readers may be motivated to find nonfiction books on this holiday celebration. VERDICT Though simple, rhyming text will engage young readers, this is only recommended if looking for additional books on Lunar New Year.--Melanie Leivers

A full catalog of Lunar New Year traditions packed into a poetic vehicle inspired by Clement C. Moore's famous verse. In this installment of Wing's Night Before series, which has grown to more than two dozen volumes, rhyming couplets describe an Asian family's Lunar New Year celebration. From hanging spring poems and receiving red envelopes to setting firecrackers, watching the lion and dragon dances, and lighting lanterns on the 15th day, the book is filled with details on what are predominantly Chinese traditions despite the more inclusive title. And it really is quite a comprehensive overview, including the major foods and activities spanning the weekslong holiday. Upbeat, charming pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations from Wummer, who has collaborated on many other books in the series, capture it all. Unfortunately, the meter of almost every couplet is uneven and awkward, beginning with the opening line, " 'Twas the night before Lunar New Year," making it a difficult read-aloud. Nonetheless, the content makes it a worthy pick for the holiday. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A cheerful and thorough look at Chinese Lunar New Year traditions. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.