This Next New Year
(by Janet Wong/illus. by Yangsook Choi, Farrar Straus $16 Score:) Not long after January 1st passes comes the "next" new year—the lunar, or Chinese New Year. Wong calls it a second chance for hope. With few words and vibrant images some of the customs and their meaning are captured in this lively book. 4–8.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2001.

Gershon's Monster
(by Eric A. Kimmel/illus. by Jon J. Muth, Scholastic $16.95 Score:) Gershon never regretted his mistakes. He simply threw them into the cellar and for the New Year he tossed them into the sea. But when he is blessed with children he learns to rethink his self-centered ways. Suspenseful & satisfying! 6 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: .

The Runaway Rice Cake
(Ying Chang Compestine/ Illus. by Tungwi Chau, Simon & Schuster $16.95 Score:) Following the tradition of the classic Runaway Gingerbread Boy this Chinese New Years story unfolds when the only rice cake a family has jumps out of the pan and runs away. Instead of a big bad wolf tricking the boy, here the Rice cake gets eaten up by a strange old women who is hungry. It's the family's generosity that is rewarded in the end and the Changs share a feast! A recipe for making your own rice cake is included along with some notes about celebrating Chinese New Year.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2002.