A picture book cover depicting a family of four surrounded by bright, colorful imagery from both Jewish and Chinese New Year traditions. The mother wears a head covering and stands beside the son, who is blowing a shofar; the daughter looks on excitedly as the father (who wears a yarmulke) hangs a red Chinese knot from the hand-lettered title. A gold medal with a Star of David on the bottom right corner reads "Association of Jewish Libraries: Sydney Taylor Winner."

Two New Years

About

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.

Art direction and design by Jay Marvel

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Acclaim

2024 Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner

2024 National Jewish Book Award Winner

ALSC Notable Children’s Book 2024 Selection

A 2024 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year – Outstanding Merit

★ “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)

★ “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)

“A bright, sparkling celebration of a multicultural family.” —Kirkus Reviews

“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

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Availability

Chronicle / BookShop / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / Amazon

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