Happy 2023! Lunar New Year is on Jan 22nd! Are you ready? I have you covered! Not only do I have plenty of past resources, I have new crafts and stories for you this year!

It's time to Bring in the New Year ... and also a new book from me!
2023: Year of the Rabbit!
This is the Year of the Rabbit! In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is an animal of peace and prosperity; so that means this is a year of optimism and hope. Sounds good to me!

And what better way to welcome it in than making and decorating with some lucky rabbit paper cuts? As well as video instructions, there are downloadable printed instructions HERE.
And, this year I made TWO rabbit designs for you! There is simpler one for younger kids and a more complex one for older children and adults. (Younger kids might still need the help of an adult.)
Here is the SIMPLE rabbit template for younger kids!
Here is the COMPLEX rabbit template for older kids and adults!
If you would like more specific tips and verbal instructions, you can watch this video where my daughter and I demonstrate the Ox paper cut.
You can also find the OX template here and the the TIGER template here!
The rabbit is an animal of great symbolism in Chinese culture. Not only is it the 4th animal of the Lunar New Year, it's also an important symbol for the Moon Festival (and iconic in my new book!)

With my video, you can draw your own symbolic Rabbit and make your wish for this year!
Lunar New Year Storytime
For the Lunar New Year, I created a special Kids Ask Authors episode! Instead of answering kid questions like I usually do, I thought I would share with you a legend of one of the dishes we eat during this holiday. 
This story is one of the many stories in my upcoming book Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods. The book doesn’t come out until Sept 2023 so you are getting a super special sneak preview! 
And if you enjoyed this, make sure you check out last year's Lunar New Year episode : The Legend of the Fortune Gods!
The 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac: The Year of the Rat 
My books The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat are NOT about dogs and rats! They are actually about my own life during my first Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat. Because, as you know, every year is named after a different animal! But do you know why?

I tell the story in my book the Year of the Rat! You can watch me read it here in this video!
Need more?
Remember, I have lots of other activities in my past Year of the Ox newsletter and last year's Year of the Tiger newsletter with things like sweet dumpling recipes and, of course, my books! From Bringing in the New Year to The Year of the Dog, I truly hope my work becomes part of your Lunar New Year tradition!
Once Upon a Book is coming!!!
My first picture book in four years is finally coming out! Once Upon a Book is comes out on Feb 7th and I am very excited!

Not only is there an in-person book tour, we have TWO different pre-order gifts!

Gift 1:
Educators! Pre-order Once Upon a Book from the Eric Carle Museum and get a FREE virtual school visit with Grace and Kate Messner on Jan 31st! A special link to webinar will be sent after online purchase and the webinar will be recorded for those who cannot attend live. Books will ship after webinar with special signed bookplates. More info about the visit HERE.
Gift 2:
Not an educator? Pre-Order Once Upon a Book from Porter Square Books and receive a special enamel pin that's perfect for this Year of the Rabbit!

Books will be signed at event and can be shipped. This a great way to get a pin if you cannot come to one of our events! Pre-order from Porter Square HERE!
Come see me and co-author Kate Messner on the road!
Everyone who purchases Once Upon a Book at our events will get one of those special pins (while supplies last). Remember, if you can't come to our events but you still want one of those pins, just pre-order from Porter Square and they'll mail the signed book and pin to you!



  • Sunday, Feb 18th, 10-12 am: Grace solo event! High Five Books, Florence MA. No registration needed!
New Book Cover Reveal...
Psst! Guess what? You, as my beloved newsletter subscribers, get the very first SNEAK PEEK of my upcoming book, Chinese Menu! Even though it doesn't come out until September 2023, it is available for pre-order now...but you might want to wait as I am planning lots o' fun for this! Stay tuned!
And that's it until spring! See you when the weather is warm again!

In the meantime, I wish you a hOppy Lunar New Year. Hoping the Year of the Rabbit brings us all peace, prosperity and luck.


Best,
Grace
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