Lion Dances for Lunar New Year in Boston's Chinatown and 3 Picture Books About Lion Dancers

Boston’s Chinatown is home to the third-largest Chinese community in the U.S. The lion dances are a way to bring the community together in a ceremony that brings prosperity to business owners in the coming new year.

The lion dancers go into each business. My kids said that patrons gave the lion dancers red envelopes of money.

Boston’s Chinatown is crowded the entire month of Lunar New Year. It’s hard to find parking but it’s fun to see the lion dancers!

3 Picture Books About Lion Dancers

The Chinese New Year Helper by Ying Chang Compestine, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu

Jia wants to help with the Chinese New Year preparations but everyone tells her that she is too young. Disappointed, she picks at her food. When the lion dancers arrive at her family’s restaurant, she finds that she can be part of the festivities. Learn about Chinese New Year traditions in this story about perseverance. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Lion Dance: Lion Dancer, Ernie Wan’s Chinese New Year by Madeline Slovenz Low and Kate Waters, photographs by Martha Cooper

Six-year-old Ernie Wan has practiced all year at his father’s kung fu studio to be a lion dancer at the Chinese New Year parade. The lion dance will bring good luck in the new year by scaring away evil spirits. The photographs depict his family as they get ready for Ernie’s big event. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

We Are Lion Dancers by Benson Shum

Lily and Noah learn about lion dancing at their kung fu club. They want to learn how to lion dance but the costume is too big and heavy. There are other ways for them to participate though! Learn about the tradition of lion dancing and the Chinese Nian monster folk tale behind it in this charming picture book. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

p.s. Related posts:

Asian Drumming Crafts, Recipes & Books for Kids

Janet Wong on Lunar Year Traditions with Book List!

Chinese New Year Books Instead of Tiki Tiki Tembo

15 Wonderful Chinese New Year Picture Books

Red Envelope Crafts for 2nd Grade China Unit

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