The Nian Monster

May 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-While decorating for Chinese New Year, Po Po tells Xingling about the Nian Monster, who used to eat entire villages. The New Year traditions involving loud sounds, fire, and the color red successfully scared him off. Unfortunately, that was thousands of years ago, and he's not afraid anymore! The Nian Monster returns and threatens to eat Shanghai. Using other New Year traditions of long life noodles, sticky rice cakes, and fireworks, Xingling successfully saves her city. Chau's watercolor illustrations are filled with warm colors and humor. In one spread, a crowd of people in Yu Garden flee the Nian Monster-except for one person, who would rather take a selfie with the mythical beast. The monster, who looks more adorable than menacing, spreads chaos at other Shanghai landmarks, such as People's Square and Oriental Pearl Tower, but the quick-thinking Xingling is never afraid as she enacts her plans. An author's note discusses language and some New Year's traditions seen in the story. VERDICT This tale of New Year's high jinks has enough information to be enjoyed by those who have never encountered the holiday, and the focus on Xingling's wits and the monster's antics will be a draw for those who have celebrated it their entire lives. A fun read-aloud that's sure to induce giggles.-Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2016
A little girl in Shanghai outwits a Lunar New Year monster.Xingling is grocery shopping with her grandmother days before the Chinese New Year festivities are to begin. Curious about all the red decorations, she learns that once upon a time there was a very hungry monster who threatened villages. The monster, fortunately, had three fears--"loud sounds, fire, and the color red"--and the Chinese learned how to keep safe from it. Unfortunately, the monster, named Nian, soon appears in Shanghai very hungry and very unperturbed by ancient customs. Xingling cleverly finds three new, traditional means to defeat Nian: a bowl containing "the longest noodle in China" (which sends him snoozing), bony milkfish (which hurts his throat), and a rice cake made with very sticky rice (which glues his jaws together). Wang brings together traditional storytelling elements in her tale--three tasks and repetition of phrases--in this contemporary setting of a Chinese New Year story. However, the writing is pedestrian and will not hold up to multiple readings. The explanation that "nian" means either "year" or "sticky" comes only in the author's note. Chau's artwork is colorful but very busy; Xingling is drawn with giant, manga-style eyes, though the other Chinese characters have simple ink-dot eyes. Also, there is no mention of which year of the 12-year cycle is being celebrated. Ai ya--not the happiest New Year tale. (Picture book. 4-7)

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November 15, 2016
Preschool-G While preparing for Chinese New Year, Xingling's grandmother Po Po tells her about the Nian Monster, who ate entire villages until people learned his weaknesses: loud sounds, fire, and the color red. Later Xingling encounters the monster herself and outwits him three times by feeding him traditional New Year's foodslong-life noodles, milkfish (the boniest fish in the sea), and an enormous rice cake. Finally, at the fireworks, Nian is rocketed away when he can't extinguish the flames beneath his chair because his jaws are stuck with glutinous rice flour. Set in Shanghai, Wang's story combines holiday customs, traditional lore, and a contemporary setting to create a festive story introducing this celebration to young children. Chau's colorful, cartoon-style art makes generous use of red and includes a monster whose size is his most ferocious feature. Setting details appear in both the text and illustrations, and an author's note clarifies many of the customs described. This reads aloud well, making it ideal for story hours or multicultural units.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

Starred review from October 3, 2016
Wang’s story begins as Xingling and her grandmother hang red paper decorations for the Chinese New Year in Shanghai. Po Po explains that the Nian Monster once plagued China by eating whole villages. Since the monster is afraid of “loud sounds, fire, and the color red,” the decorations prevent its return. The Nian Monster seems no more than a fantasy, but as Xingling cooks, he leaps onto the family’s balcony. “I have come to devour this city!” he roars, causing buildings to shudder. Xingling turns out to be a cool-headed hero. “Have a bowl of long-life noodles first,” she advises the monster. “If you live longer, you can conquer more cities.” More crafty culinary thinking slows Nian down further (bony fish, sticky glutinous rice), and a fireworks scheme sends him packing. Wang’s story thrills but doesn’t threaten: Chau’s wonderfully vivid watercolors give the monster doe eyes and a round body that make him seem like a cranky, overgrown teddy bear, and Wang shares cultural information about the Chinese New Year with the lightest of touches. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Associates.

July 1, 2017
In contemporary Shanghai, Xingling saves her city from the Nian Monster, traditionally scared away each Chinese New Year by "loud sounds, fire, and the color red." Xingling outsmarts the monster, staving him off with festive foods, then finally sending him skyward at the fireworks. Festive watercolors of city scenes add to the celebration in this humorous holiday read-aloud. Author's note included.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)