by Wai Chim
‘They should get us a new one,’ Cap announced. ‘Now that we’re on the preservation list, we should have a more official sign.’
That gave me an idea. ‘You know what the new sign should say?’ I asked with a cheeky grin. My family shook their heads, waiting for my answer.
‘Welcome to Chook Chook Village,’ I declared with a smile.
Celebrating Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) marks the first day of the new year on the lunar calendar and is one of the most important holidays in China. Festivities start on New Year’s Eve and can continue until the fifteenth day of the first month.
On the Western calendar, the Chinese New Year usually lands in the month of February.
The New Year’s Eve Dinner
The New Year’s Eve dinner is a very important meal. Family members from all over China come together for a reunion dinner. The meal includes a number of traditional dishes that are not only tasty, but also hold special significance for the new year because the food names are homonyms for Chinese words meaning good fortune.
Here are some examples of New Year’s dishes. Do you remember which ones Mei and her family enjoyed?
Whole Fish ()
Often wok fried or steamed with shallots, ginger and soy sauce, this dish has special significance because the Chinese word for fish (yu) sounds very similar to a Chinese word which means bountiful harvest and plenty.
Long Noodles ()
This dish can be served with peanut sauce or fried and seasoned with soy and oyster sauces. Long noodles symbolise longevity and a healthy life.
Dumplings ()
Dumplings are flour pockets filled with different meats and vegetables. They are usually steamed and then dipped in soy sauce. Dumplings signify wealth and fortune in the new year because the shape of the dumpling closely resembles the Chinese tael, an old style of currency made of precious metals like gold. Until recently, dumplings were mostly popular in the northern regions of China and not something that Mei’s family living in southern Guangdong Province would have traditionally served.
Chinese New Year Cake ()
This is a sticky rice cake that is prepared especially for the new year. The Chinese New Year cake signifies happiness because the name (nian gao) sounds very similar to wishing someone a joyful year.
Want to Know More?
You can find a lot of interesting information on Chinese culture and traditions online.
A China Family Adventure:
www.china-family-adventure.com
If you want to go to China or would like to convince your family or school to go too, this website is packed full of information to help plan your trip. It includes facts about the country as well as detailed articles and pictures on Chinese culture and traditions.
Time for Kids – Destination China:
www.timeforkids.com/destination/china
Want to learn how to speak Chinese or find out what life is like for Chinese children? This is a great micro-site for you to explore. It has interesting information, some tips on learning key Chinese phrases and language as well as ‘a day in the life’ of an everyday Chinese child.
Chinese New Year Activities:
www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese-new-year
Why not have a Chinese New Year celebration at home or in school? This website has lots of crafts and activities that you and your friends can try together. Learn your horoscope on the Chinese zodiac or find out how to play traditional games.
China Facts and Pictures:
kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/china
National Geographic Kids is the perfect place to learn more about the world around us. Here you’ll find heaps of pictures and videos about the Chinese landscape, a fun e-card to share with your friends and links to information about China’s giant pandas. It’s like taking a trip to China right from your computer!
iPandacom: en.ipanda.com/live
Meet some of China’s cuddliest residents online. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding gives you a sneak peek of their pandas at play. Learn more about these gorgeous animals and how you can help protect them through their Panda Wiki.
First published 2014 by University of Queensland Press
PO Box 6042, St Lucia, Queensland 4067 Australia
www.uqp.com.au
[email protected]
© Wai Chim 2014
This book is copyright. Except for private study, research, criticism or reviews, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher.
Cover design and illustrations by Aileen Lord
Typeset in 14.5/20 pt Bembo by Post Pre-press Group, Brisbane
Printed in Australia by McPherson’s Printing Group
Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
National Library of Australia
http://catalogue.nla.gov.au
Chim, Wai, author.
Chook chook: saving the farm / Wai Chim.
ISBN 978 0 7022 5316 4 (pbk)
ISBN 978 0 7022 5278 5 (pdf)
ISBN 978 0 7022 5279 2 (epub)
ISBN 978 0 7022 5280 8 (kindle)
For primary school age.
Chickens – China – Juvenile fiction.
Pets – China – Juvenile fiction.
A823.4
University of Queensland Press uses papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable products made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The logging and manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
UQP is not responsible for the content found on non-UQP websites.
