120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Come visit us this weekend!🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

New Year Surprise!

By Christopher Cheng
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.71 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 14 ratings, 1 reviews)
Brief Description
Age range 6 to 9 Little Brother is told by his brother and his friends that he's too small to help out at the Spring Festival. He's too little to fly a kite, and he's not strong enough to hold a dragon pole. But Father says... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1299
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Age range 6 to 9

Little Brother is told by his brother and his friends that he's too small to help out at the Spring Festival. He's too little to fly a kite, and he's not strong enough to hold a dragon pole. But Father says he has a special job to do. What can it be?

He knows it's not hanging the lanterns, as Father has already done that. He knows it's not choosing the treats from the hawker, as Father has already chosen a duck. He knows it's not serving tea or lighting firecrackers as he did those jobs last year.

Follow Little Brother through the village to find out what his special job is.

New Year Surprise! by Christopher Cheng, with paintings by Di Wu, recreates the magic of celebrating New Year in snowy rural northern China. Di's stunning artwork reflects Chinese traditional techniques, using rice paper, Chinese brushes, and the colours of traditional paintings.

At the back of the book, read about some of the different festivals held in China and learn about the rural setting of the book. Images from the National Library of Australia's collection illustrate this section.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781922507419

Publisher: National Library of Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 January 2024

Country: Australia

Imprint: National Library of Australia

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Di Wu

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 245.0mm

Height: 255.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 36

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Christopher Cheng

About the Author

Christopher Cheng is an award-winning author of many children's books including non-fiction, picture books and Chinese-themed historical fiction titles. He is co-chair of the Advisory Board for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and a recipient of the Lady Cutler Award for Children's Literature. Christopher is also an ambassador for the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature.

Born in China, Di Wu was an editor and illustrator in one of the biggest Chinese fine arts publishing companies before coming to Australia. He won awards for the books he published in China, and his first Australian picture book, Rebel (with Allan Baillie), was short-listed for the Children's Book Council Picture Book of the Year. He has since released Ali Baba, Old Magic (with Allan Baillie) and Grandpa's Mask, with text by Jing Jing Guo. More recently, Di Wu collaborated with NLA Publishing author Jane Jolly to create Star of Anise.

Also by Christopher Cheng

View all
  • Bear and Rat
    A powerful and uplifting story about loving friendship, even through the hardest of times. Bear and Rat are the best of friends who do everything together, but Rat wonders if Bear will always be there to hold her hand, no matter what happens ...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Hardback
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Classic Australian Poems
    Australian poets have a wonderful way with words, and their poems bring to life the iconic Aussie characters and unforgettable landscape that are part of our Australian heritage. Many of these characters—Mulga Bill, Clancy of the Overflow, The Ant Explorer, M'Dougal, The Shearer's Wife, and Mr Smith—are larger than life. The poets who created them—AB Patterson, CJ Dennis, Thomas E....
    By Christopher Cheng
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Dragon Folding
    From the author of the stunning Bear and Rat comes a powerful, heartfelt gem about the strength of community and the magic that can come from the innocence of a child. In a fractured old house with a wiggly sign lived a bent old man, alone. But it wasn't always this way... When Mr Singer's wife went away, the colour...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Hardback
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Old Fellow
    A touching and tender picture book about the joy that can be found in companionship and community. An old man and an old dog look after each other on their daily trip to the local park. Along the way, they meet friends new and old who brighten their day in different ways. A beautiful, heartwarming book that celebrates community and...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Hardback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • One Tree
    A touching and uplifting story about love, change, and the importance of the natural environment in all our lives. One Tree tells the story of one tall tree on the mountain that once marked Grandfather's farm. Now, there is a busy city, and Grandfather lives with us in our apartment. Once he told stories, but now he stays silent. Until...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Hardback
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Quoll
    An exciting addition to the narrative non-fiction series Nature Storybooks, about an Eastern Quoll. The blue-black sky is painted with glistening stars. Quoll has woken. It's playtime here in the moonlit night. Join a female Eastern quoll and her playful pups as they venture through the forest and fields on their nightly hunt for food.
    By Christopher Cheng
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Imagineer
    *CBCA 2022 Notable Book: Picture book of the year*Age range 3 to 6Penny has a massive imagination. She loves to draw up plans, gather her tools and turn sketches and scribbles into new creations.One day, she visits her grandpa's house and is amazed at his gadgets and gizmos. He has a telephone hanging on his wall, an organ with bellows...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Paperback
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Pollination
    A child’s day in the garden with their Gran and Pa leads to a wonderful exploration of pollination. Join them in discovering how pollination happens in our gardens and backyards, and the importance it has for our environment. Meet the animals involved in pollination and the plants that depend on pollination to produce our fruit, vegetables and even our clothes!...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Hardback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Wombat
    Learn all about the “bulldozer of the bush” in a fascinating introduction to the wombat -- an exciting addition to the award-winning Nature Storybook Series.Far underground, where dirt and tree roots mesh, are tunnels that lead to a burrow, and in this burrow Wombat’s day begins.Wombats may look soft and cuddly, but they are determined and tough, with sharp teeth...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Quoll
    An exciting addition to the narrative non-fiction series Nature Storybooks, about an Eastern Quoll.The blue-black sky is painted with glistening stars. Quoll has woken. It's playtime here in the moonlit night.Join a female Eastern quoll and her playful pups as they venture through the forest and fields on their nightly hunt for food.
    By Christopher Cheng
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Powerful Like a Dragon
    Powerful Like a Dragon
    In this life-affirming picture book, acclaimed author Christopher Cheng weaves the true story of his family's search for safety in the midst of war, demonstrating the strength of children in the face of the impossible. Young Shu Lok didn't know there was a war until it appeared on his doorstep. Overnight, everything changes. His parents send him away, tucking him...
    By Christopher Cheng
    Hardback
    $3999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Children's Books

View all
  • Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    By Julia Donaldson
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    Backorder
    Ships mid October
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    New Release
    The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    By Donovan Bixley
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    By Sam Smith
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    By Asako Yuzuki
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    By Airana Ngarewa
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Millie from Milford
    New Release
    Millie from Milford
    Based on the true story of Ruth Shaw and her husband Lance looking after a baby seal that had been shot between the eyes. Millie from Milford lives in Milford Sound, the number one tourist destination in Aotearoa New Zealand. After Millie was checked by a vet, she was taken to Ruth and Lance's home to be looked after until...
    By Ruth Shaw
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    New Release
    The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all