Two New Years - by Richard Ho (Hardcover)

About the Book

A multicultural family celebrates the traditions of two New Years--the Jewish Rosh Hashanah in the autumn, and the Asian Lunar New Year several months later.

Book Synopsis

A Sydney Taylor Gold Medalist
A National Jewish Book Award Winner

This warm and welcoming New Year celebration invites readers to learn about Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year traditions and to reflect on the rich blends of cultures and traditions in their own lives.

For this multicultural family, inspired by the author's own, two New Years mean twice as much to celebrate! In the fall, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, offers an opportunity to bake challah, dip apples in honey, and lift voices in song. In the spring, Lunar New Year brings a chance to eat dumplings, watch dragon dances, and release glowing lanterns that light up the sky.

With bright, joyful prose and luminous illustrations, Richard Ho and Lynn Scurfield invite readers of all backgrounds to experience the beauty of two New Year traditions, paying homage to the practices that make each unique while illuminating the values of abundance, family, and hope that they share.

Full of opportunities to reflect on the rich blends of cultures and traditions in our lives, this moving picture book is a beautiful reminder that, at heart, our celebrations might not be so different after all.

TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS: This book is brimming with opportunities for readers to learn about cultures different from their own--from Jewish readers learning about Lunar New Year, to Chinese readers learning about Rosh Hashanah, to readers from other cultures being invited to experience both!

A WELCOMING READ: This content-rich picture book encourages readers of all backgrounds to reflect more deeply on the blending of traditions in their own families and communities.

A GORGEOUS GIFT: Vibrant illustrations and a lyrical narrative with strong backmatter will make this a treasured gift.

Perfect for:

• Parents, grandparents, and caregivers
• Teachers, educators, and librarians
• Lunar New Year and Rosh Hashanah gift giving
• Readers seeking celebrations of different cultures and faiths
• Anyone who appreciates beautifully illustrated, multicultural picture books

Review Quotes

"A multicultural family celebrates a "shared year of double blessings" in this thoughtfully crafted picture book. Luminous ink illustrations portray the family, taking part in the celebrations, creating a visual melding of experiences." -- Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"This fun and beautifully illustrated look at a bicultural family's two different New Year traditions -- Lunar New Year and Rosh Hashanah -- stresses each one's universal messages of hope and renewal. A great book for encouraging young readers to embrace all of your family's heritages."

-- Common Sense Media

A 2024 Sydney Taylor Gold Medal Award Winner

Winner of the 2024 National Jewish Book Award

"A bright, sparkling celebration of a multicultural family." -- Kirkus Reviews

"An excellent look at varied New Year customs that celebrates multiculturalism in a way young readers of all backgrounds can easily grasp." -- Booklist, starred review

"An illuminating set of contrasts and parallels likely to leave younger audiences primed to welcome different ways of celebrating every version of the new year..." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Richard Ho is Chinese, Jewish, and an author . . . in any order you wish! His previous books include The Lost Package, illustrated by Jessica Lanan, and Year of the Cat, illustrated by Jocelyn Li Langrand. He loves to craft stories about diverse cultures and the delightful ways they intertwine. He and his proudly multicultural family live in the melting pot of New Jersey.

Lynn Scurfield's work is defined by bright colors, fun textures, and strong emotions. In their spare time, Lynn enjoys knitting, watching tours of beautiful houses online, and going on hikes with Taro, her small (but barky) dog. Lynn resides in Toronto, Canada.