Happy Chinese New Year!
A story about cultural celebration, rewritten for your child
Every page is redrawn around the child you make it for. Keep the story’s own hero and give them your child’s name, or choose someone new — it takes a minute, and nothing is locked in.
From$34.99 USD
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
- 38 pages, hardcover
- 5.9 × 5.9 in
- Ages 3-5
- Premium, thick pages
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in 2-3 weeks (US)
Start with the story’s own hero or pick from our cast — then give them your child’s name.
A personalized Chinese New Year adventure your child stars in — dumplings, dragons, and red envelopes included.
That’s the story. The rest is how it becomes your child’s.
How personalization works
Who is this story about?
Keep the story’s own hero
The hero is already written and drawn for this book. Give them your child’s name if you like — that’s the whole edit.
Or swap in one of our cast
Eight characters to start from, and you rename whoever you pick.
- Luna
- Theo
- Mateo
- Sofia
- Amara
- Layla
- Mei
- Ravi
Or make your own
Describe them in a sentence, or add a photo to guide the likeness. Either way, entirely optional.
The characters are just the start.
Every part of this book is yours to change. Not a name dropped into a template — the whole thing is redrawn around the child you’re making it for.
- Every illustrationAll 38 pages are drawn fresh, not stamped with a face.
- The rooms and placesYour child's actual bedroom, your street, the places the story visits.
- The objects that recurThe specific blanket, the toy they won’t sleep without — carried page to page.
- Everyone else in itSiblings, grandparents, the dog. Named and drawn as themselves.
- The story itselfChange what happens, and the words on the page change with it.
- Or change nothingPick a hero and read it tonight. The rest is there when you want it.
What's Inside This Book
1 of 20 spreads
Every character, scene, and object in this book can be replaced with your own — your child's name, your family photos, your home, your school.
What you get
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
Start free
- Free to start — no card needed
- See your child in the story in minutes
- Rename the hero and edit the story text
- Choose a ready-made character, or add a photo later
- Export a PDF of what you make
Your perfect keepsake
Hardcover book
- Full-color hardcover, 15×15cm
- Free standard shipping included
- Printed & delivered in about 2-3 weeks (US)
- Personalize names, story text & style
- Add your own photos once you are in the editor
Quick summary of Happy Chinese New Year!
Happy Chinese New Year is a personalized picture book where your child becomes the hero of a festive Chinese New Year celebration. The story features traditional elements like red envelopes, dumplings, and dragons while emphasizing family bonds, gratitude, and love. Perfect for preschoolers ages 3-5 to celebrate cultural traditions together.
This personalized children's book follows a child aged 3–5 through a magical Chinese New Year with Mama, Papa, Grandma Nai Nai, Grandpa Ye Ye, and Little Brother Bao — featuring dumplings, dragon parades, fireworks, and lucky red envelopes across 38 illustrated pages.
Key Takeaways
- Introduces Chinese New Year traditions through warm, story-driven family moments
- Sparks cultural pride and belonging through personalized characters your child recognizes
- Builds vocabulary naturally with Mandarin greetings like Gong Xi Fa Cai woven into the narrative
- Models intergenerational connection through grandparent-led traditions and shared rituals
- Turns holiday celebration into a literacy moment children ask to revisit every year
Why This Book Works
Personalized books significantly boost reading engagement — a 2019 study by Dr. Natalia Kucirkova found children spent 43% longer with books featuring their own name and identity. When a child sees themselves helping Nai Nai fold dumplings or receiving a red envelope from Ye Ye, the story stops being fictional and becomes a mirror. That self-recognition is emotionally activating in ways generic holiday books simply cannot replicate.
Cultural celebration stories support what child psychologist Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum calls 'identity-affirming narratives' — stories that tell children their heritage is worthy of celebration. For Chinese-heritage families, seeing Gong Xi Fa Cai, dragon dances, and lucky foods treated as joyful rather than exotic matters deeply. For multicultural families new to the traditions, it offers an accessible, non-didactic introduction rooted in warmth rather than a textbook.
Bedtime stories tied to upcoming real-world events help young children emotionally rehearse experiences, reducing anxiety and amplifying excitement — a mechanism described by Dr. Stuart Brown in research on play and narrative preparation. Reading Happy Chinese New Year! in the days before the holiday primes children to notice the red banners, taste the dumplings, and anticipate the fireworks with joy rather than overwhelm. The story becomes a script they already know.
Common Misconceptions
This book is only for Chinese or Chinese-heritage families.
Any family curious about Lunar New Year can use this book as a warm, accessible cultural introduction. Child development researchers consistently find cross-cultural stories build empathy and global awareness in children as young as 3.
Young children won't retain cultural details from a picture book.
Repetition and narrative context are the two most powerful memory anchors for ages 3–5. Reading this book annually around the holiday builds cumulative cultural knowledge through story rather than instruction, which research in early childhood education confirms is far more effective.
Personalized books are a novelty, not a real reading tool.
Dr. Natalia Kucirkova's research at the Open University found that children demonstrate measurably higher engagement, comprehension, and recall with personalized books compared to standard picture books of equivalent quality.
How to Read This Book with Your Child
Best time to read: Read 2–3 days before Chinese New Year so children can anticipate real celebrations. Revisit on the night itself as a bedtime wind-down.
Ask your child what they already know about Chinese New Year — even a guess is great. Show them the cover and point out the red color. Say 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' together slowly. If you have any red envelopes or decorations at home, bring one out as a prop before you begin.
Conversation Starters
- “What lucky food from the dinner table would you most want to try?”
- “If you got a red envelope, what would your wish for the new year be?”
- “Why do you think the dragon dance brings good luck to everyone watching?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this book appropriate for?
Happy Chinese New Year is designed for preschoolers ages 3-5 years old. The personalized format and celebration theme make it engaging for young children, while the cultural content appeals to the whole family.
How does personalization work in this book?
Your child's name is featured throughout the story, making them the main character in the Chinese New Year adventure. This personalization creates a special, memorable experience that children love and treasure.
What Chinese New Year traditions are included?
The book features authentic cultural elements including red envelopes (hongbao), dumplings, dragons, and family celebrations. These traditions are presented in a fun, age-appropriate way that helps children understand and appreciate the holiday.
Is this book good for families learning about their heritage?
Yes! This book is perfect for families wanting to share Chinese cultural traditions with young children. It celebrates family bonds and cultural identity in a joyful, inclusive way that resonates with preschoolers.
Can this be a gift for Chinese New Year?
Absolutely. The personalized nature makes it an ideal gift for Chinese New Year celebrations, especially for preschoolers. It's memorable, culturally meaningful, and becomes a keepsake the child will treasure.
Does the book teach about other cultures?
Yes, this book introduces children to Chinese cultural traditions and celebrations. It's an excellent tool for teaching cultural diversity and helping all children appreciate different heritage celebrations.
A story about cultural celebration, rewritten for your child
Free to start. No payment to see your child in the story.
You Might Also Like
More Stories Like This
New Baby Welcome
Welcome to the World, Little One
A tender keepsake celebrating your newborn's arrival — perfect for the first days of wonder.
Getting Glasses for the First Time
My Wonderful New Glasses
A warm, reassuring story for children getting glasses — see the world through Mia's newly clear eyes.
Learning to Ride a Bike
Pedal by Pedal: Learning to Ride
A personalized bike-riding adventure celebrating every wobble, every fall, and the triumphant moment it all clicks.
Grandparent Bonding Days
Grandma and Me: Our Special Days
A warm, personalized keepsake celebrating every magical day spent with Grandma.