Lunar New Year fun

For many Asian people the world over, Lunar New Year is a major celebration. Since the lunar calendar is based on the moon’s cycles, the dates of the holiday vary from year to year, falling sometime between January 21 and February 20. This year the holiday falls on February 12, the first new moon of the lunar year.

In the Chinese zodiac, 2021 is the Year of the Ox, an animal associated with hard work, reliability, and honesty — characteristics that, according to astrologers, will be manifested in us humans over the coming twelve months.

In China, an important part of the Lunar New Year celebration is the lion dance, performed to bring prosperity and good luck in the coming year. 
​
To mark the Lunar New Year, library staff have put together two crafts you can make at home, using everyday art supplies. Click on these links for the supplies list, step-by-step instructions, and printable templates:

• Year of the Ox bookmark 
• Lion puppet

​Or, pick up a Lunar New Year Take & Make Kit curbside at the library. (Please note curbside pickup hours!)

Whether or not you’re getting crafty, you can get festive: Gather ’round for an on-demand video story time with Miss Laura in a reading of The Race for the Chinese Zodiac, a lovely picture book written by Gabrielle Wang and illustrated by Sally Rippin.

Gong hei fat choy!