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HAPPY TO HELP. Author Ying Chang Compestine and illustrator Ginnie Hsu’s The Chinese New Year Helper introduces readers to the many components of a Lunar Year celebration as well as Jia, who is trying to help but is instead met with you are too young.

From The Asian Reporter, V36, #2 (February 2, 2026), page 11 & 15.

By Ying Chang Compestine

Illustrations by Ginnie Hsu

Rocky Pond Books, 2024

Hardcover, 40 pages, $18.99

By Jody Lim

The Asian Reporter

Another picture book my nephew and I read this year was The Chinese New Year Helper, written by Ying Chang Compestine with illustrations by Ginnie Hsu. This one also elicited some emotions from my nephew, a fellow young person. The book is aimed at children between three and seven years old.

On the first page, we arrive at Jia’s (pronounced "Jah" and means "home" in Chinese) family’s business, the "biggest restaurant in Chinatown," and everyone is busy preparing for the Lunar New Year.

Well, except for Jia.

Jia is willing to help and asks family members how she can assist them.

"No, Jia! You are too young to be in the kitchen," says her father.

"But I can help!" says Jia. Her father instead gives her a steamed bun to eat.

Jia then offers to assist her mother. "No, Jia! You are too young to carry the plates," she’s told.

"But I can help. I am careful!" says Jia. Her mother encourages her to go over to her aunty.

"No, Jia! You are too young to climb up high!" says her aunty, who is hanging red banners and lanterns.

Then her grandma adds, "No, Jia! You are too young to light the lanterns.!"

Jia offers to help her brother, Hu, but he says, "No, Jia! You’re too young to move big chairs."

"But I can help. I am strong!" says Jia.

There’s a theme brewing here. And Jia and my nephew are both feeling discouraged.

"Frustrated and sad, Jia stomps away." Ginnie Hsu’s illustration clearly shows how Jia feels.

Soon, friends and family arrive with oranges and plum blossoms. Jai is given lucky money, but even that cannot mask her exasperation about not being able to help with the celebration.

Jia remains unhappy, even as the waitstaff brings out "dumplings, fish, meatballs, rice cakes, and eight treasures rice puddings." She doesn’t even touch her chopsticks.

Jia’s focus now? The lion dance. Maybe that will turn her frown upside down.

"The cymbals crash and the drums boom … Jia jumps out of her chair and moves closer," only to be told by her grandma, "Step back, Jia! You’re too little — you’ll get hurt."

Is Jia ultimately able to help with the celebration? You’ll have to read The Chinese New Year Helper to find out. Ying Chang Compestine’s text is easy to read, even for a second-grader. And Hsu’s bright and colorful illustrations throughout the book and on the flap bring the festive Lunar New Year event to life.