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This legend is a perfect addition to your Chinese New Year celebrations! In this book, Fables Around the World, the story is rewritten in an easy to read form with beautiful illustrations.

The animals are arguing over what they should call the new year. Of course, all the animals wanted to name it after themselves. The argument was causing such a great noise, that the gods came from the heavens and had to help them work it out.

They told the animals that they would race across the river to see who would get the first year named after them. The second place animal would get the second year and so on. When the great race began, rat was last, so why is the first year named after him? You’ll have to read to find out!

Chinese New Year Activities

After reading this fun tale about Chinese New Year, why not try an activity too! Here are some simple, but exciting choices that your children will look forward to doing each year!

Dragon Handprint Craft

DIY Chinese Drum

Tray of Togetherness

DIY Chinese Gong

Chinese Calligraphy 

Pasta Snake Craft

DIY Chinese Banner Scrolls

Easy DIY Red Envelopes

Reading Around the World!

Join us this summer exploring different cultures with stories from around the world! You can see my past picks in the links below or, click the image below for more book suggestions from other bloggers!

One Grain of Rice – A Mathematical Folktale (India)

Artisans Around the World –  Northern Asia (Japan)

Heidi – Swiss Inspired Decoupage (Switzerland)

The post Chinese New Year Fable – Read Around the World first appeared on True Aim.