November 15, 2024
PreS-Gr 2-"Crackle! Pop!" opens this easy reader about Lunar New Year, as Princess Mulan hears the sound of celebratory fireworks outside her window. She's particularly excited for the Lantern Festival, traditionally held on the final day of Lunar New Year. When her lantern rips, Mulan is momentarily discouraged, but decides to go back and fix it-only to find that the lantern has gone missing! A note left on her bed leads Mulan on a relaxed treasure hunt, eventually reuniting her with the lantern and teaching her the value of friendship. At the book's end, Mulan, her repaired lantern in hand, celebrates the Lunar New Year with her family, and "the world is full of love and light!" This is an entirely pleasant, sweet introduction to Lunar New Year, with an unhurried quality and a warmth that is not always present in movie tie-ins. The illustrations, looking like they could have come straight out of the original film, convey a lush coziness; the pages are filled with cherry blossom boughs and nighttime skies illuminated by glowing lanterns. The vocabulary is appropriately basic, though some readers may need to sound out the Chinese names. This is not the most comprehensive early reader about Lunar New Year and would not be recommended for someone looking to teach about the holiday, but its emphasis on family and working together gives this book its own value. VERDICT One needn't be familiar with Mulan to enjoy this gentle easy reader about Lunar New Year, which is recommended for larger libraries.-Kate Newcombe
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