Chinese New Year 2022: Year of the Water Tiger

Painted by Gai Qipie
1660-1734

2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger in the Chinese New Year. “The Tiger is the third sign of the Chinese Zodiac and is thought of as Ruler of the beasts on Earth. It is believed that a person born in the year of the Tiger is courageous, optimistic, tolerant, and generous. They can expect a long life, and were born to command, not to obey.”
https://www.tigerstealive.com/tiger-who-came-to-tea-blog/tigers-what-they-mean-in-chinese-culture/

- The tiger is one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals.
- Tigers represent royalty in eastern Asia. In fact, the marking on the tiger’s forehead looks very similar to the Chinese character that is
translates to the English word 'King.' Therefore, the tiger has been dubbed the King of the Animals.
- The White Tiger represents the west of China as well as the season  of autumn. It is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellation.
- They are the national animals of Malaysia, South Korea, Bangladesh, and India.
- Because of its stalking and hunting abilities, the tiger was used to
   represent the highest army general in the armies of Imperial China.
   https://www.tigers.org.za/tigers-in-culture-and-folklore.html

STORIES

Anansi Claims His Fame – West Africa
https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/06-25/0087_tell_me_a_story__anansi_claims_hi.html

Anansi, Firefly, and Tiger - India
https://mocomi.com/indian-folk-tales-anansi-firefly-and-tiger/

The Fox and the Tiger - China
https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_26.html#gsc.tab=0

The Goat that Ate Tigers – West Bengal
https://booksameya.in/the-goat-that-ate-tigers/

How the Tiger Got Its Strength - Khasi
http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/khasi-how-tiger-got-his-strength.html

How the Tiger Got Its Stripes – South America
https://www.scribd.com/document/152782463/HOW-THE-TIGER-GOT-ITS-STRIPS-South-American-Folktale

The Legend of How Tiger Became a Chinese Zodiac
http://en.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/2010spring/2010-01/26/content_367588.htm

The Nodding Tiger - China
https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_8.html#gsc.tab=0

The Tiger and the Monkeys - Khasi
http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/khasi-tiger-and-monkeys.html

Tiger Aunt: Beware of Strangers – Taiwan
https://islandfolklore.com/tiger-aunt/

The Tiger, The Brahman, and the Jackal – Eastern India
https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Indian_folktale_9.html#gsc.tab=0

The Tiger’s Mistake – Malaysia
https://elfinspell.com/FolkloreCollections/Skeat-FablesAndFolk-Tales/Fable-9.html

Tiger Returns the Favor
https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/detail/6017

The Tiger’s Whisker – Korea
https://www.eagle.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/The%20tiger's%20whisker%20korean%20folktale.p

The White Tiger - Korea
https://storiestogrowby.org/story/white-tiger/

Why the Tiger and Stag Fear Each Other - Brazil
https://fairytalez.com/tiger-stag-fear/

2010 Year of the Tiger – My previous blog post when 2010 was the Year of the Tiger.
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-year-of-tiger.html

BOOKS

24 Wonderful Chinese Folk Tales for Kids
https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2017/12/chinese-folk-tales-kids/

CRAFTS

Activity Village
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese-new-year-crafts

Family Fun Crafts – Chinese New Year
https://funfamilycrafts.com/category/seasonal-holiday/holidays/chinese-new-year/

Red Ted Art – 11 Must Make Easy Tiger Crafts for Kids
https://www.redtedart.com/tiger-crafts-kids/

Red Ted Art – The Tiger Who Came to Tea (Complements the books of the same name.)
https://www.redtedart.com/tiger-craft-tiger-came-tea/

CURRICULUM

Tigers! A Look a Korea’s Folk Stories – Lesson plan for grades 4 – 8 offering additional stories.
https://www.koreasociety.org/images/pdf/KoreanStudies/Monographs_LessonPlans/Elementary/12%20Tigers%20A%20Look%20At%20Korea.pdf

FINGERPLAYS, SONGS, AND RYHMES

Perry Public Library – Year of the Tiger
Songs, rhymes and more for the preschool set.
file:///C:/Users/Story/Documents/MicrosoftWord-Karen/LAPSIT%20PROGRAM%20RESOURCES%20AND%20ARTICLES/Year%20of%20the%20Tiger.pdf

RECIPES

20 Chinese New Year Foods That Will Bring You Good Fortune
https://www.delish.com/entertaining/g438/chinese-new-year-food/

SOMETHING EXTRA

Tigers are revered in many diverse cultures. The sites below offer information from several locations.

Chinese Zodiac  Tiger Symbolism
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/tiger-chinese-zodiac-sign-symbolism.htm

The Siberian Tiger and the Country of Tiger Tales – Interesting background information, including two stories, The Tiger and Dried Persimmons and The Matching Mountain Spirit. https://www.asianstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/the-siberian-tiger-and-the-country-of-tiger-tales.pdf

Taming the Year of the Tiger
https://studycli.org/chinese-zodiac/year-of-the-tiger/

Tigers Place in Korean Folklore
https://gogohanguk.com/en/blog/the-tigers-in-korean-folktales/

 

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links. At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2021 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Celebrating Diwali: The Festival of Lights

 

Goddess Lakshmi
by Raja Ravi Varma
1848-1906

“Hinduism insists on the brotherhood of not only all mankind but of all that lives.”  Mahatma Gandhi

“Diwali or Deepavali is one of the biggest and auspicious festivals celebrated by Hindus all around the globe. The festival of lights signifies peace and joy, the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness every day. It is one of the most symbolic Hindu festivals, and all the communities in the country celebrate it with much pomp. During this festival, people clean their homes, decorate every corner with lights, lamps, diyas, flowers, rangoli, and candles. Families also perform Lakshmi Puja and pray to the Goddess of wealth to bless them with health, wealth, and prosperity.”
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/diwali-2021-significance-history-date-time-puja-muhurat-and-all-you-need-to-know-101635849456204.html

Diwali, celebrated this year on November 4, is also known as the Festival of Lights. I offer you some story sites from India to help you celebrate.

Hitopadesha Tales - A compilation of short stories following the pattern of prose and verse. 
http://tinyurl.com/24vvn29

Jataka Tales - These fables, written in 300 B.C. were intended to impart values of self-sacrifice, morality, honesty, and other values.
http://tinyurl.com/36o6cg3 

Celebrating the Country of India
This is an older blog post I shared in January of this year. It is full of wonderful resources consisting of  several story collections, along with individual stories, book selections, curriculum and more. 
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2021/01/celebrate-country-of-india.html

Here are some stories of light from around the world.

STORIES

The Blue Light – Germany
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0562.html#grimm

The Buried Moon - England
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/meft/meft24.htm

The Goddess of Light - Canada
https://fairytalez.com/the-goddess-of-light/

Light Makes Prosperity - India
http://tinyurl.com/7c4crnt

Crow Brings Daylight – Native American – Inuit
http://tinyurl.com/7zyzudr

The Origin of Light – Native American
http://tinyurl.com/85x6uhg

Raven Steals the Light – Native American
http://tinyurl.com/5lnq26

BOOKS

21 Children’s Books About Diwali
https://coloursofus.com/21-childrens-books-about-diwali-the-festival-of-lights/

The best Diwali books to share the Festival of Lights with your child
https://www.motherandbaby.com/reviews/education-toys/best-diwali-books/

PBS – Celebrate Diwali with Books!
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/celebrate-diwali-with-books

CRAFTS

Diwali Diya Mobile 
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/diya-mobile  

Diwali Door Hanging - Traditional embroidered door hanging to welcome visitors and hopefully the Goddess of Fortune Lakshmi. 
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/diwali-door-hanging  

Diwali Coloring Pages 
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/diwali-colouring-pages  

RECIPES

100 Diwali Recipes

https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/diwali-sweets-recipes-diwali-recipes/

SOMETHING EXTRA

8 Easy Diwali Crafts for Kid
https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/easy-diwali-crafts-for-kids/

Diwali in History
https://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-in-history.html

The Lesser Known Stories about Diwali
https://www.tell-a-tale.com/the-lesser-known-stories-about-diwali/

National Geographic – Diwali is India’s most important holiday
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/diwali-history-customs-indian-festival-of-lights

 

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2021 © 

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I appreciate your support and personal integrity.

 

The Year of the Monkey

The Monkeys and Their Mother
from The Fables of Aesop
by
Edward Detmold, 1909

The Year of the Monkey arrives on February 4, 2016, however, the Chinese New Year Day is on February 8, 2016. This is because Chinese New Year is from Chinese Lunar calendar. Chinese Zodiac signs are from Chinese Astrology Calendar. The Year 2016 is the 4713th Chinese year. It's a Red Monkey year.

Occupying the 9th position on the Chinese Zodiac, the Monkey is:

·         curious

·         mischievous
·         clever
·         playful
·         intellectual
·         creative



The above information was found at the links below:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/monkey.htm
http://www.chinesezodiac.com/monkey.php

The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac
http://www.chinesehoroscopeonline.com/zodiac/Legend.htm

 

 

STORIES

The Dragonflies and the Monkeys – Philippines
http://www.uexpress.com/tell-me-a-story/2014/5/18/the-dragonflies-and-the-monkeys-a

The Frog and the Black-Handed Monkey - Africa

http://folktales.webmanila.com/folktales/animals/?monkeys

The Birds and the Shivering Monkeys - India
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-folktales/hitopadesha-tales/birds-and-shivering-monkeys.html

The Elephant and the Monkey - India

http://www.fairystory.org/classic-oriental-fairy-tales/the-elephant-and-the-monkey.html

The First Monkey - Philippines

http://folktales.webmanila.com/folktales/animals/?monkeys

How the Monkeys Saved the Fish – Tanzania
http://www.afriprov.org/african-stories-by-season/14-animal-stories/67-how-the-monkeys-saved-the-fish.html

The Hyena, the Monkey, and the Hare – Chad
http://www.tchad.org/research/folktales.html#monkey

They Jelly Fish and the Monkey - Japan
http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/72/japanese-fairy-tales/4842/the-jelly-fish-and-the-monkey/

The Monkeys and the Bell – India
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-folktales/hitopadesha-tales/monkey-and-the-bell.html

The Monkey and the Crocodile – India
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-folktales/panchatantra-tales/monkey-and-crocodile.html

 
The Monkey and the Lion – Bahrain
http://leverettfolktales.blogspot.com/2012/06/monkey-and-lion.html

The Monkeys and Their Mother - Aesop
http://www.aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?sel&TheMonkeysandTheirMother

The Monkey and the Turtle – Philippines
http://tagaloglang.com/Philippine-Literature/Filipino-Folktales/the-monkey-and-the-turtle.html

The Monkeys Go Fasting - India

http://dimdima.com/khazana/stories/showstory.asp?q_cat=Indian+Folk+Tales

The Monkey’s Fiddle – South Africa
http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/sft05.htm

The Monkey’s Paw – W.W. Jacobs
http://americanliterature.com/author/w-w-jacobs/short-story/the-monkeys-paw

The Quarrel of the Monkey and the Crab - Japan

http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/72/japanese-fairy-tales/4848/the-quarrel-of-the-monkey-and-the-crab/

Why the Banana’s Belong to the Monkey – Brazil
http://www.worldoftales.com/South_American_folktales/South_American_Folktale_16.html

Why Monkeys Mean Trouble – India
http://www.pitara.com/fiction-for-kids/folktales/why-monkeys-mean-trouble/

 

ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS AND CURRICULUM

DLTK-KIDS – More crafts than a bunch of bananas!

http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/jungle-monkeys.html

Danielle’s Place – Crafts, activities, curriculum and bulletin board ideas.

http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/monkey-crafts-learning-activities.html

First Palette – Printable monkey mask.

http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/monkeymask.html

First School – Monkey Preschool Lesson Plans

http://www.first-school.ws/activities/animals/wild/monkeys.htm

Making Learning Fun – Teach your students their ABC’s with this fun monkey clothesline.

http://www.makinglearningfun.com/images/Activities/MonkClotheslineMonkeysABCBW.pdf

 

BOOKS

Listopia – Best Children’s Books About Monkeys and Apes

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/28431.Best_Children_s_Books_About_Monkeys_and_Apes

 

RECIPES

24 Monkey Bread Recipes
http://www.buzzfeed.com/lincolnthompson/this-isnt-monkey-business#.ycgdJzqqp

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2015 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

 

Valentine's Day Fun for the Children in Your Life

Vintage Post Card for Valentine's Day

Last year I offered a lapsit program to celebrate the Valentine’s Day. Listed below are the fingerplays, songs and story stretchers I used in the program. They are found throughout the internet without attribution so they are free for you to use as well.  

I also used a flannel board with heart shapes for the counting rhymes. I hope you will find something fun to use with your little ones. 

COUNTING AND FINGERPLAYS

Five Pretty Valentines

Five pretty valentines waiting at the store.

(Insert child's name) bought one and then there were four.
Four pretty valentines shaped like a "V"
(Insert child's name) bought one and then there were three.
Three pretty valentines said "I love you"
(Insert child's name) bought one and then there were two.
Two pretty valentines, this was so much fun.
(Insert child's name) bought one and then there was one.
One pretty valentine sitting on the shelf.
I felt sorry for it, so I bought it for myself!

Making a Heart

"I part my hands together, this is how I start; (heels of hands together)

I curve my fingers right around and I can make a Heart!

Valentine Poem

Five little valentines just for you
The first one says, "My love is true."
The second one says, "You have my heart."
The third one says, "Let us never part."
The fourth one says, "Won't you please be mine?"
The fifth one says, "'Till the end of time."

My Valentine Heart

When I say I love you (Point to lips)

It comes from my heart (Hand on heart)
You hear it in your ear (Point to ear)
And it sounds very smart (Point to head)
I love it when you're proud of me (Stand very tall)
You say it all day long (Stretch arms wide)
And when I hear you say it (Point to ear)
My heart sings a merry song (Hand on heart)

SONGS

Skinnamarinky

Skinnamarinky dinky dink

Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

I love you in the morning,
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evening,
Underneath the moon…

Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!

H-E-A-R-T  (To the tune of  Bingo)

There is a shape and it means love

And heart is it's nameo.

H-E-A-R-T, H-E-A-R-T, H-E-A-R-T, (spell the word out)

And Heart is it's nameo!

Continue leaving out a letter on each repeat and use a clap in place of the missing letter.

STORY STRETCH

Tony Chestnut

Tony Chestnut knows I love you,
Tony knows, Tony knows,
Tony Chestnut
Knows I love you,
That's what Tony knows.

While singing, point to
different parts of your body, like this:

Toe knee chest nut (head)
Nose eye
Love (heart)
You (point to others)
Toe knee nose
Toe knee nose
Toe knee chest nut (head)
Nose eye
Love (heart)
You (point to others)
That's what toe knee nose.

Songs for Teaching: Another version of Tony Chestnut: http://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/tonychestnut.php

This is an adorable video of children doing  the longer version of Tony Chestnut. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyPwGZN4Kbc

Another Tony Chestnut video using a different technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLLMm8fbhqk

CRAFTS

30 Fun and Easy Valentine’s Day Crafts

http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/30-fun-and-easy-diy-valentines-day-crafts-kids-can-make 

Crafty Morning - Heart shaped animal masks.

http://www.craftymorning.com/valentines-day-heart-shaped-animal/

DLTK-Holidays.com - Adorable elephant valentine for animal lovers. Too cute!

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/melephant.htm

CURRICULUM

Education World – Have a Heart: Valentine’s Day Across the Curriculum. Lessons plans and activities for K-12.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson222.shtml

RECIPES

40+ Cutest Valentine’s Day Recipes for Kids

https://www.inthekidskitchen.com/valentines-day-treats-kids/

 

Crafty Morning – Heart shaped cinnamon rolls
https://www.craftymorning.com/heart-shaped-cinnamon-rolls/

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2014 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.