Anticipating New Year

Catherine Gower (author)

He Zhihong (illustrator)

Long-Long's New Year

Tuttle, 2005

  In preparation for the new year, young Long-Long accompanies his grandfather to market to sell cabbages. As grandfather patiently waits for customers, Long-Long takes their bicycle for repair and earns one yuan for helping the repairman. His grandfather continues his marketplace vigil, as Long-Long considers whether to spend his yuan for steamed buns or rice soup with pickled vegetables. A fortuitous conversation with the cook ensues. Turns out, she needs cabbages. As she approaches Grandpa, she scolds his dubious competition, "I told you never to come back here! What are you selling this time? More holes and caterpillars?" After selling all his cabbages, Grandpa readies for the journey home, while Long-Long sifts through wares at the Hundred Goods Store for gifts for his mother and sister. The two return to Ma and Hong-Hong who step cheerfully over the threshold of their front gate, which is decorated with lucky red messages of the Spring Festival. 

  Catherine Gower's wholesome, rural story is less about new year, and more about rural life. The anticipation of new year gives initial momentum to the narrative, but really the book is about civility, sociality, and family. He Zhihong's charming ink and color images accompany the story. She has an eye for detail, and the reader will find an abundance of vernacular vignettes and material culture. Its effect reminded me of the Song-dynasty painting, Spring Festival on the River 清明上河圖. A glossary provides additional information about Chinese words used in this story.