A New Year’s Reunion

Today begins the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon. Certainly over the years many American publishers have offered titles appropriate for this holiday. But a few months ago, a book that first appeared in Taiwan in 2008 was released and it’s one of the finest I have ever seen.

A New Year’s Reunion by Li Qiong Yu and illustrated by Zhu Chen Liang immediately provides some cultural perspective. A young girl, Maomao, and her mother wake up early because Papa is coming home for the New Year. Because he builds houses in far away places, the family only comes together for New Year celebrations. The story follows the actions of the family during the blessed reunion: Papa gets shaved so he looks familiar to his daughter; he gives them presents. And then the family makes sticky rice balls for the celebration. They enjoy fireworks and go out to celebrate the New Year. Papa gets busy around his own house, fixing items. Together the girl and her father watch the Dragon Dance from their rooftop. And then Papa must leave, not to return for another year. “Daddy is very quiet. He nods and hugs me tight.”

In a book that combines celebration and sadness in equal measure, the story presents both the customs of the New Year and the plight of families separated because of economic considerations. Cheng-Liang’s gouache paintings brilliantly capture the vibrant street scenes and the energy of the Dragon Dance. But juxtaposed against these broad views, he brings us up close to see intimate portraits of the family members. And the final scene, with only backs of the mother and girl showing while a truck drives off, provides an appropriate emotional moment for the ending of the story.

An author’s note says simply, “The family in the book is a fictional one, but there are in reality over 100 million migrant workers in China, many of whom work hundreds or sometimes thousands of miles away from home, returning only once each year, for just a few days, at New Years.” Not only does the book extend our awareness of conditions in China, it naturally raises a discussion about the sacrifices of American military families and other migrant workers. Winner last year of a New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books, A New Year’s Reunion works on so many levels—a celebration, an exploration of love and family, a commentary on social conditions. Yet, it can still simply be enjoyed as a simple picture book that celebrates a family’s coming together.

For anyone who wants to mark the Chinese New Year, make this your first purchase. Happy Year of the Dragon.

Here’s a page from A New Year’s Reunion: