Chinese New Year And Other Reading Topics

Additions to the children's winter reading list are:
For the hockey lovers- "Z Is For Zamboni" written by Matt Napier, illustrated by Melanie Rose, published by Sleeping Bear Press, Chelsea, MI. This is a wonderful alphabet book using all things related to the game of hockey. Especially helpful for enticing little boys to read!

For the animal lovers- "Winter White" written by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Carol Lacey, published by Morrow Junior Books, New York. This is a beautiful fable set in the artic about a fox and a lemming.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year which will be celebrated on Jan 26th for the year 4707-
1- The fabrics of Fairytale, retold by Tanya Robyn Batt and illustrated by Rachel Griffin, published by Barefoot Books, New York. This great book teaches children about different fabrics told through fairytales from around the world. The one from China is called "The Silk Brocade." It is a nice introduction to Chinese culture.
2- "Daisy Comes Home" written and illustrated by Jan Brett, published by G.P. Putman's Sons, New York. In this story, children follow the adventure of a little hen, while seeing life in China.

Chinese Lantern Art Project
Using a 8 1/2 X 11 inch piece of copy paper, fold it in half lengthwise. Cut slits from the folded side about every inch or so stopping about one inch from the top. Open flat and fold in the top about 1/2 inch on both edges.



Form a tube and staple it on the top and bottom. When you stand it up, the middle
(along the original foldline) will bulge out forming the lantern shape.



Add another strip of colored paper or some ribbon, yarn, or string to make a handle. You can then hang it up. It can be decorated with pictures of your choice. Especially pretty is the use of gold metallic markers. Older children can even copy actual Chinese alphabet or symbols. Another option would be to draw a dragon, lion or anything of your choice on the paper after it is folded in half but before the slits are cut. I have also seen them done with double sided patterned paper which it lovely. Hanging several in a row to form a garland it just terrific.