Title: Nian, The Chinese New Year Dragon
Author: Virginia Loh-Hagan
Illustrator: Timothy Banks
Age Group: 3-8
Synopsis: A origin story about Chinese New Year with a bit of artistic license.
The Lowdown:
When we lived in Taiwan, I loved learning the history and stories behind all the new holidays and celebrations we were experiencing. As Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) approached last year I wanted to share some of the experiences that we had with Bug. I dusted off my cookbook and prepared a myriad of dishes that we loved to pick up at the night markets or the little stalls within walking distance from our apartment. All the while Bug asked his favorite question: Why? Lucky for him that’s one of my favorite questions too. The story really came to life though through this book which Bug commandeered and poured over again and again.
The story concentrates on a small nondescript village that suffers from annual attacks from a Nian dragon. It devours villagers and food and causes mass destruction. One year, Mei, a young girl in the village is visited, before the impending doom, by a mystical warrior. He warns her that the Nian will soon be free to cause mayhem all year long unless she finds a way to stop it. Mei finds through luck that the Nian hates loud noises and the color red. In the end though, it is her own cunning that turns the Nian from a terrible monster into a good luck symbol for the village. Thereby freeing them from these yearly attacks.
The illustrations have a very distinctive calligraphy feel to them. The rounded mountain tops, architecture, vegetation all cooperate to give readers the feeling that they’re in Asia without going overboard. Banks too uses color carefully. Early on the colors are stark and almost bleak with the exception of the Nian which has a sickly yellow/green color. But has the story progresses the vibrant red leaps from the pages. This along with the positioning on the page gives each page greater and greater strength. It builds with the climax and then finds a way to sooth itself out and find a peacefulness by the end of the story. Too fabulous!
This reimagined version of the Nian story does an excellent job of staying true to the basic tale while adding in small bits that makes the story more relatable. The addition of a named main character, and a girl at that, makes me want to sing and dance. Mei exhibits all of the characteristics of a strong female that gives even more power to this incredible folktale. I have a feeling that this will be a book we pull out year after year and I especially love how it connects us to memories and a place Bug’s never been.
Story Tips:
- Read the back pages to learn more about New Year celebrations. Plan your own New Year celebration and have your little ones help.
