ACHUKA Book of the Day 17 Dec 2021
“Details the deep emotions and ambivalence of a father who is at once proud of his daughter’s achievements and independence, yet wistful over how quickly she has grown up and lives too far away to celebrate Spring Festival with him.” KIRKUS
“Leng’s distinct, delicate ink-and-watercolor illustrations offer scenes from both China and France, with intricate details conjuring each location.” Publishers Weekly
“The book’s cultural themes make it a good addition for any library collection that wishes to enhance its representation of cultural diversity.” Canadian Review of Materials
A moving picture book to read for those missing family far away.
It’s Lunar New Year, a time when families come together for a wonderful feast, and a father longs to be with his daughter — but she lives in another country. As he imagines how his daughter is spending the festivities, he recalls fond memories of time spent with her, feeling a sense of loss and dislocation. While he misses her deeply, he also recognizes her need to move away, grow up, and become herself.
New Year is a compelling portrait of leaving home, finding independence, and loving those who are many miles away. At a time when so many families are unable to gather together, readers will relate to the universal message of missing our loved ones and dreaming of being together again.
Mei Zihan is an author and a professor at Shanghai Normal University.
Qin Leng was born in Shanghai and now lives in Toronto where she works as a designer and illustrator. Her numerous picture books have been nominated for several prizes, including a Governor General’s Literary Award.
Over The Shop was an ACHUKA Book of the Day on 20 Jan 2021.
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