Today is Chinese New Year where people round the world will be welcoming in the Year of the Rat. Yesterday, Minglu who is Evelyn’s mummy, visited nursery to tell us about Chinese New Year and share the story of Monster Nian. Minglu had created a special book to illustrate the story and told us how an old lady’s kindness helped drive out Monster Nian and that firecrackers and the colour red have been associated with bringing luck at New Year ever since! She told us that Chinese people throughout the world celebrate with red lanterns and wear red clothes and children receive lucky money as a gift in red envelopes.  We would like to wish Minglu, Evelyn and all their family a very happy and prosperous new year, and to thank Minglu for sharing her wonderful story with us.

Minglu and Evelyn showed us how to cut out the symbol for Spring, which starts on the day after New Year in the Chinese Calendar.