When I think about children’s books that celebrate Chinese holidays, Benson Shum is one of my favorite illustrators. His artwork is expressive, heartfelt, and full of warmth. While his stories are simple and illustration-forward, I feel a deep connection to them because they’re told through the lens of children growing up between two cultures.
Even though Benson’s books are written in English, they’re far too adorable not to include in your child’s home library, especially for families in the Chinese diaspora. His stories capture what it feels like to celebrate Chinese holidays while growing up between cultures. They’re perfect for families who may not be fluent in Chinese but still want their children surrounded by stories that reflect their heritage.
Alex’s Good Fortune
Alex invites her best friend, Ethan, to experience the Chinese New Year with her. She proudly brings him into her world—one filled with parades, dragon dances, and meaningful family rituals. Together, they prepare for the holiday by tidying up, decorating, and making dumplings before celebrating with red envelopes, a festive family feast, and the Lantern Festival.
This story captures what it feels like to grow up celebrating cherished traditions at home while sharing them with friends outside the family. Written with families in the Chinese diaspora in mind, this story reflects the joy of passing traditions on, helping children build cultural pride, and finding connections between cultures. Complete with fun facts about the Chinese New Year at the back of the book.
Get it on Amazon starting at $5.99
We Are Lion Dancers
As the Lunar New Year approaches, siblings Lily and Noah are drawn to the sight of lion dancers practicing for the parade. As they learn what the lion dance represents, the children begin to understand how this tradition connects generations and communities. Inspired, Lily and Noah take part in the preparations by creating their own lion costume at home.
This story embodies the joy of passing down traditions to children and helping them develop a sense of pride in their cultural heritage. The book also includes additional facts about the history and legend of the lion dance at the back, inviting families to read, learn, and celebrate together year after year.
Get it on Amazon starting at $5.99
Mooncakes Mean Family
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, sisters Jade and Crystal, two rabbit siblings inspired by the Moon Rabbit of Chinese folklore, look forward to one of their favorite family traditions: making mooncakes together. Through their preparations, the sisters learn the meaning behind the holiday and the symbols that have been passed down for generations.
From mixing the fillings to sharing a special meal with loved ones, the story highlights how food, tradition, and family come together during the festival. This gentle story celebrates togetherness and helps children understand the deeper meaning behind the traditions they grow up with.
Get it on Amazon starting at $5.99
About Benson Shum
Benson Shum is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator whose work is deeply rooted in the traditions and language of his childhood growing up in Canada in a Cantonese-speaking household. From celebrating holidays with family to doing math in Chinese with his grandmother, these moments shaped both his identity and the stories he tells today.
As a child, Benson spoke more Cantonese than English. When he entered elementary school in Canada, he needed ESL support, navigating the challenge of learning English while holding onto the language spoken at home. That experience of balancing languages, cultures, and expectations is something many bicultural families immediately recognize, and it quietly informs the emotional depth of his books.
In addition to his work as a picture book creator, Benson is also an animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios. His credits include Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen II, Encanto, and Zootopia 2. Whether through animation or books, his storytelling always centers on family, heart, and humanity.
You can connect with Benson at BensonShum.com or follow him on instagram @bshum79.
A Special Gift for the Year of the Horse
To celebrate the Year of the Horse, Benson has also created a Chinese New Year door decoration. The coloring page is free to download and makes a perfect activity to pair with reading his stories.
