A Prosperous New Year!
We’re starting a Chinese New Year tradition at the Mendocino Community Library: sharing a bounty of books on Chinese history and culture for readers of all ages. The books are a gift from the generous board of directors at the Temple of Kwan Tai, and they will be specially displayed and available for checkout starting in early January. Located down on Albion Street, the temple is one of the oldest, bestpreserved Chinese temples in California; part of its mission is to enhance public understanding of Chinese immigrant life and history here on the coast. The Year of the Rabbit begins on Sunday, January 22nd, and we are happy to focus on the Rabbit sign’s promise of longevity, peace, and prosperity and to celebrate the fact that 2023 is a year of hope.
Good Luck Life: The Essential Guide to Chinese American Celebrations and Culture, by Rosemary Gong. This treasury explains the meanings of Chinese rituals and offers advice on when and how to plan for Chinese holidays and special occasions.
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, by Laura and Theodora Lau. The definitive, classic work on this fascinating subject, artfully combining the Eastern lunar calendar with Western solar-based astrology
Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now, by Jeff Yan, Phil Yu, and Philip Wang. A magical tour through the past three decades (and more) of Asian American history and culture.
“Chinatown Rising,” by Harry and Josh Chuck. Against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, a San Francisco film student and Chinatown resident turned his lens on his community. Weaving together neverbefore-seen footage and photographs, this excellent documentary spans three generations in its portrait of the historic neighborhood in transition.
Look Tin Eli: The Mendocino Visionary Who Helped Shape the Chinese American Experience, by Robert Becker and Jane Tillis. This Kelley House historical review explores the remarkable life of Mendocino-born Look Tin Eli, whose groundbreaking career in San Francisco did much to establish Chinese immigrants as business leaders and exemplifies how newcomers could improve their economic and social standing while advancing the prosperity of California.
Chinese in Mendocino County, by Lorraine HeeChorley. Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America Series features old photographs with detailed descriptive captions that chronicle the contributions of Chinese immigrants to the development of Mendocino County.
China: The Novel, by Edward Rutherfurd. The story begins in 1839, at the dawn of the First Opium War, and follows Chinese history through Mao’s Cultural Revolution up to the present day. In his epic new book, Rutherfurd brings to life the everchanging fortunes of Chinese, British, and American families in China. This well-researched story sets the stage for China’s role in the world today and humanizes the story of how China became a rising global power.
How Much of These Hills is Gold, by C Pam Zhang. This debut novel is a tough-minded and skillful reexamination of the myth of the American West: by filling in the faces, names, and stories that have often been missing from the picture.
Luck of the Titanic, by Stacey Lee. This historical fiction tells the story of the six Titanic survivors of Chinese descent. It follows twins Valora and Jamie Luck, British-Chinese acrobats who made it out alive.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess, by Sue Lynn Tan. A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess.
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, by Xiran Jay Zhao. Gamer Zachary Ying desperately wants to fit in outside the virtual world of Mythrealm, but as the only Asian kid in his largely white Maine town, he quietly avoids standing out. But his mom’s illness forces him to step up.
Holidays around the World: Celebrate Chinese New Year, by Carolyn Otto. This National Geographic book makes it colorful and interesting for children
3-8 to learn how Chinese people everywhere ring in the new and ring out the old .
C hinese New Year Wishes, by Jillian Lin. In this beautifully illustrated book, children aged 2 to 6 will follow Hong as he and his family prepare for and celebrate the New Year Festival.
How to Catch a Dragon, by Adam Wallace. In this book for 3-5 year olds, kids are trying to catch a dragon as they chase him through Chinese New Year celebrations. The wily dragon has to avoid traps as the kids chase him through paper lanterns, red lunar envelopes, and fireworks.
Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon, by Kat Zhang. In this sweet and brightly illustrated picture book for 4-8 year olds, Amy Wu must craft a dragon unlike any other in her class at school.
Lunar New Year, by Hannah Eliot. Part of the Celebrate the World Series, this board book teaches readers from 1-5 that Lunar New Year invites us to spend time with family and friends. With beautiful artwork by Chinese illustrator Alina Chau, the book invites readers to light lanterns, set off fireworks, and dance with dragons.
Watercress, by Andrea Wang. This autobiographical story is “both an apology and a love letter to my parents.” For readers from 6-10, it’s a bittersweet, delicate look at how sharing the difficult parts of our pasts can create new moments of family history and help connect us to our roots.
A Big Mooncake for Little Star, by Grace Lin For ages 3-5, this gorgeous picture book tells a whimsical origin story of the phases of the moon.
The Mendocino Community Library is grateful to the Temple of Kwan Tai for these valuable additions to our collection. We invite you to drop by to look them over; you can check most of them out. The library, located at the corner of William and Little Lake, is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.