Our Family Dragon (Rebecca Lim, illus Cai Tse, Albert Street Books)

Our Family Dragon: A Lunar New Year story is a joyful celebration of love, family and the Lunar New Year from award-winning writer Rebecca Lim. This festive story is illustrated by Cai Tse, creator of the comedic webcomic Under the Lion and active practitioner of both lion and dragon dance. In recognition of 2024 being the Year of the Dragon, we follow one family as they begin their new-year traditions, such as hanging red lanterns, cooking eight-treasure rice, and cleaning the house ‘to make space for good things’, including the much-anticipated dragon itself. Talking with his Bābā, the young protagonist learns that people all over the world have celebrated the Lunar New Year for thousands of years. As they get ready, he is particularly excited about all the noises and smells he knows will soon fill the house: incense, stories, good food, tea, and Chinese opera and folk songs. The vivid sensory descriptions leap off the page, and along with the detailed illustrations and foil finishes, this book brings the magic of the season alive. In the end, the dragon arrives, and with it, a surprise for young readers. Our Family Dragon is an authentic, delightful read for those who honour the Lunar New Year, as well as any who are new to the celebration.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Karys McEwen is a librarian, author and the current vice president of CBCA VIC Branch. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews