The Dragon Boat Festival marks the end of spring and the arrival of the summer sun. This year, it falls on June 10th. Get ready with us by learning about this ancient celebration, which has been around for over 2,000 years and is still celebrated today! From thrilling dragon boat races to yummy sticky rice dumplings, author Eugenia Chu will guide us through it all, as she reads excerpts from her new book, Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival. After the reading, we’ll be folding paper boats to get ready for the races.

Best for kids ages 6-10 and their care partners; all are welcome. Book signing and purchase will follow the reading!

This event is free to the public. Reservations are encouraged, but not required.

CLICK TO RSVP!

About the Book

Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with this fun introduction for kids ages 6 to 10!

Have you heard of the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Double Fifth Festival? Do you know why people eat sticky rice dumplings, called zòngzi, or race dragon boats during this holiday? This engaging nonfiction book answers these questions and more by introducing young readers to the history, folklore, and customs of this unique traditional holiday. Also, there are fun interactive activities for kids to celebrate at home and in their communities.

• Step into History: Discover the rich history and less-than-happy origin stories of the Dragon Boat Festival, tracing back over 2,000 years.
• Explore Festive Traditions: From dragon boat racing and making special herb sachets to standing an egg on its end and sharing special bracelets, kids will learn how the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated in different ways.
• Engage in Joyful Activities: Get ready to join the festivities with a treasure trove of recipes and activities for children to enjoy, like making your own zòngzi and paper boats!

About the Author 

Eugenia Chu is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom turned multi-award-winning and best-selling author. She is a first generation Chinese American and lives on a magical beach in Miami with her husband, Bob, and son, Brandon, who is the inspiration for her stories. Unable to find children’s story books that included Chinese language or culture when Brandon was younger, Eugenia began writing them herself.

Eugenia enjoys presenting her books at schools, libraries, museums, and festivals. She is an avid reader who delights in writing, traveling, yoga, and drinking too much coffee.

Eugenia is also the author of: Brandon Makes Jiăozi (餃子); Brandon Goes to Beijing – Běijīng (北京); Brandon Goes to Hong Kong – Xiānggăng (香港); Celebrating Chinese New Year; Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival; and a contributing author to Once Upon a Plate – A Culinary Journey Through Stories.

Click here to learn more about Eugenia’s books or to schedule an author visit.

Buy the Book!

Celebrating Dragon Boat Festival will be available for purchase and signing during the event! It is also available on Amazon, for those celebrating from afar!

MOCAKIDS Meet & Greets are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts under Governor Kathy Hochuls’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.