This Next New Year

Summary of Book

A young boy looks forward to the Lunar New Year, often called the Chinese New Year, a time of hope—and you don't have to be Chinese to celebrate it! Janet S. Wong's spare, lyrical couplets voice a child's determination to face the new year with courage and optimism. Yangsook Choi captures the spirit of celebration in her vibrant, energetic pictures.

Author Biography

Janet Wong (janetwong.com) is half-Chinese and half-Korean. Born and raised in California, she remembers frantically cleaning the house each year on Lunar New Year's Eve, worrying about waking the neighbors with firecrackers, eating homemade duk gook soup on New Year's morning, and watching parades in Chinatown. She is the author of thirty books for young people, including picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books such as Apple Pie 4th of July, A Suitcase of Seaweed, and Me and Rolly Maloo.

Illustrator Biography

Yangsook Choi (yangsookchoi.com) grew up in Korea and moved to New York to study art. She was selected as one of the most prominent new children's book artists by Publishers Weekly, and has written and illustrated many books for young readers. Her books have been acclaimed as "Best of the Best" by the Chicago Public Library, included on the American Library Association Notable Book list, selected by PBS Reading Rainbow, and have received the International Reading Association's Children's Book Award. Her popular picture book titles include The Name Jar, Behind the Mask, and Gai See: What You See in Chinatown.