This warm, often charming, but not entirely successful ABC book comes from the creators of TheStory of Chopsticks (2001), The Story of Noodles (2002), and other fiction titles about aspects of Chinese culture. This, too, gives some intriguing glimpses into Chinese traditions, in particular New Year's customs. Occasionally the examples are a bit cryptic for kids: V is for veneration. Families venerate their ancestors during New Year's. The artwork, however, is cheerful and bright, rather stylistic, with appealing repetitive details that will draw kids right in--a little boy and girl preparing for the celebration can be found on nearly every page, as can a small, scampering yellow cat. Traditional cultural symbols, architectural backdrops, and clothing give a sense of both community and ordinary life during a special time of year, and it's hard to miss the textured backdrops behind the pictures, which, as an endnote explains, replicate Chinese characters in four different calligraphic styles. A tempting recipe for dumplings concludes this attractive addition to the multicultural shelves.

In this alphabet book, each letter is accompanied by one or two sentences very briefly introducing an aspect of the Chinese New Year celebration--I for incense, J for jade, K for kites. Chinese characters in various calligraphy styles make an eye-catching background for the attractive textured illustrations. An author's note offers a few more facts as well as a dumpling recipe.

Compestine offers a simple introduction to the Chinese New Year in the form of an alphabet book, but the information provided is slight. "V is for Veneration" is explained with the enigmatic line, "Families venerate their ancestors at New Year's." Not a very meaningful sentence, though the illustration showing a family bowing in front of an altar offers clues. The jewel-like paintings of a traditional Chinese family (complete with an incongruous TV and an electric fan) celebrating the holiday by donning new clothes, getting haircuts, making paper cuts, bringing oranges to friends and eating ceremonial foods are engaging. A playful yellow cat cavorts with a mouse throughout, adding more child appeal. There is another, more subtle design element: The artist has used four different calligraphic styles to create backgrounds on each page. An author's note offers a little more explanation of the festival, but this visual treat should be supplemented by something more substantial. A recipe for dumplings and a Chinese Zodiac chart are included. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-8)

PreS-Gr 2-In this alphabetical celebration of the Chinese New Year, a boy and a girl prepare for the festivities with their family. Each page or full spread, representing one letter, includes such headings as "A is for Acrobats," "I is for Incense," and "P is for Peking Duck." One- to two-sentence subtitles under some of these headings explain the traditions. The "Z is for Zodiac" page includes a circular chart to allow children to find their own Chinese sign. The back matter includes an author's note on the traditions surrounding the New Year, an artist's note on the calligraphy appearing in the background, and a recipe for dumplings. While Compestine's text is well researched, many of her subtitles are written in an uneven tone, vacillating between a second- and third-person voice. The art makes up for the patchy text and depicts the vibrancy and color of the celebrations as they occur in modern China. Done in watercolor, acrylic, and latex, it features stylized, richly colored figures layered on subtle, full-page calligraphic designs. Young readers will enjoy observing the antics of a playful cat on each spread. Overall, this vivid introduction is sure to fascinate youngsters new to the traditions of this holiday.-Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.