A Sweet New Year for Ren

On an early morning that “smells like Lunar New Year is almost here,” narrator Ren wakes with pineapple cake–making on her mind: “Will I get to help, finally?” But her family gives the same answer; despite having grown two inches, “You’re still too little, Ren.” And not just for making pineapple cake: Ren can only watch as Baba hangs red lanterns and Auntie Weili stirs longevity noodles. Ho’s softly bright, digitally rendered art colors the pages with the same enthusiasm and fullness as Sterling’s crisply sensate prose, which follows the family’s bustling preparations, including Ren’s scrambling for groceries with Mama (“I poke the fish’s glassy scales as it slips and squeaks into a bag”). And when older brother Charlie helps Ren prepare a batch of pineapple cakes, the family looks on proudly at the new year’s sweet beginnings. Includes an author’s note and pineapple cake recipe. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)