When my friend Wendy told me about a new children’s book set during the Chinese New Year, I immediately searched it out and bought a copy.
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas (Charlesbridge, 2014) by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Grace Zong, is not only perfect for my little kids (the book is for ages 4-8), but I love it, too!
As you can tell from the title, it’s a remake of an old classic, but this time with Chinese characteristics. When Goldy Luck was born under the year of the Golden Dragon, her parents claimed their daughter would become wealthy and possess inordinate amounts of good luck.
Well, Goldy proved them wrong. She couldn’t save a dime in her piggy bank. And everything she touched seemed to break into pieces.
One morning during the Chinese New Year, Goldy’s mom sent her next door to bring turnip cakes to their neighbors, the Chans. The Chans were out, and you can guess what happened next.
The illustrations are fun and rich. And the details in the story are delightfully Chinese.
Every year I go into the elementary schools and talk about Chinese New Year. I must say I was getting tired of the same old same old. So what a treat to have a new book to share with the kids. It’s a story they know, but one that will teach them about Chinese New Year and other parts of Chinese culture.
Happy Year of the Horse!
Oh, P.S., congratulations on the release of your new book. It’s on my to-read list.
Thank you so much! I’m so honored. Wendy was my writing coach before I found an agent!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for featuring my book on your site. I’m so glad you and your children enjoyed it. I spent my adolescent years in Hong Kong and Goldy’s story actually began in a sky rise apartment in that city but an editor suggested I move it to a more familiar American setting, hence San Francisco’s Chinatown which eventually became nameless. Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Wow, thank you so much, Natasha! I was so excited when Wendy Tokunaga told me about your book! And I love that you lived in Hong Kong. Too bad you couldn’t keep the setting in Hong Kong, but SF’s Chinatown is also super cool! (Thanks for that insider information!). I read your book to 74 first graders last week and they were SILENT during the whole story. Quite a coup! It was great that they knew the story, but learned new things about Chinese culture. They were also super into the zodiac wheel at the end of your book! I’m off to my son’s preschool on Wednesday this week to read it to 28 four year olds! Thank you again!!