好困好困的新年 Sleepy, Sleepy New Year

Bao Bear has never celebrated Chinese New Year before! He spends his winter every year in hibernation, in his cave. This year, it shall be different!
Curious about what CNY is, he decides to invite his forest friends and their families to celebrate CNY together. 
The problem is... will he stay awake?

This is a really sweet book to introduce kids to CNY festivities! 

Why we love this book

• Introduces elements of CNY like 
• pasting spring couplets,
• decorating windows with paper cuttings,
• hanging lanterns and
• making dumplings

• the illustrations are so heartwarming and gentle!
• it's so cute that the bear is trying so hard to stay awake!
• the page where Bao Bear eventually falls asleep while his friends are enjoying the snowfall, always makes us smile

Conversation starters

• What is hibernation? Why do some animals hibernate? What happens during hibernation? How do animals prepare for hibernation? How long do they hibernate for?
• What plants or animals can survive in winter?
• What's the latest timing you've stayed awake till?
• What are 4 seasons, in temperate countries, like Australia and the USA? How about tropical countries like Singapore and Malaysia?

Extension activities:

• Celebrate CNY in the same ways as the animals in the book!
• Read and learn about CNY or various seasons
• Watch fireworks, just like the animals did
• Watch a video about / listen to music with Suona 唢呐, the musical instrument that the mice played

Recommended for Ages: 2-8
Pages: 36
Format: Hardcover
Language: Simplified Chinese
Author/Illustrator: 孟亚楠