We Are Lion Dancers - by Benson Shum

About the Book

Siblings Lily and Noah help prepare for the Lunar New Year parade and learn about the colorful, traditional lion dance.

Book Synopsis

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the lion dance, bringing good luck and fortune to all.

In this story designed to engage early readers, charming characters combine with simple text, lively illustrations, and laugh-out-loud humor to help boost kids' confidence and create lifelong readers!

As Lunar New Year approaches, a colorful costume catches the eye of siblings Lily and Noah--the lion dancers are practicing for the parade! As they learn what the lion dance means, the duo dives into helping prepare, even making their own lion costume for fun.

Complete with even more facts about the legend of the lion dance in the back of the book, young readers will want to revisit this story again and again.

Exciting, easy-to-read books are the stepping stone a young reader needs to bridge the gap between being a beginner and being fluent.

Review Quotes

"Shum once again skillfully explains a Chinese tradition in accessible and engaging language filled with a wealth of information. Cute cartoon characters and bright colors create an inviting entree into a significant custom. Fun, informative, and festive." --Kirkus Reviews

"With easy-to-read text and energetic illustrations, Shum creates an informative lion-dance primer that emphasizes community and teamwork." --Publishers Weekly

"Shum's adorable watercolor-and-ink illustrations are bright and cheery. Information about lion dancers and the various celebrations in which they take part is explained throughout the simple tale." --Booklist

"Young readers will enjoy the simple prose layered with sound and movement words, as well as the gentle way in which the book teaches [...] This simple story about lion dances makes a great read-aloud." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Benson Shum is an author-illustrator who enjoys creating and telling stories through animation and illustration. He is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, but now lives in sunny southern California.