Sam and the Lucky Money 
By Karen Chinn
Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
9781880000137
Sam can hardly wait to go shopping with his mom. It's Chinese New Year's day and his grandparents have given him the traditional gift of lucky money–red envelopes called leisees (lay-sees). This year Sam is finally old enough to spend it any way he chooses. Best of all, he gets to spend his lucky money in his favorite place — Chinatown!
But when Sam realizes that his grandparents' gift is not enough to get the things he wants, his excitement turns to disappointment. Even though his mother reminds him that he should appreciate the gift, Sam is not convinced — until a surprise encounter with a stranger.
With vivid watercolor paintings, artists Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu celebrate the sights and sounds of festive Chinatown streets. In her picture book debut, author Karen Chinn tells the affecting story of a child who discovers that sometimes the best gifts come from the heart.
Teacher's Guide
- Awards
-
"Choices"
Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Notable Books for a Global Society
International Reading Association
"Pick of the Lists"
American Bookseller
"Story Pick"
Storytime, PBS
Marion Vannett Ridgway Award Honoree
More awards... - Interest Level
- Grades K - 3
- Reading Level
- Grade 3
- Themes
- Asian/Asian American Interest, Holidays & Celebrations, Home, Sharing & Giving
- Accelerated Reader
- Level: 3.6
Points: .5
Karen Chinn (1959-2003) was born in Seattle, Washington, and received a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Washington. She lived in Seattle, WA with her husband and daughter.
Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu have illustrated many award-winning books for Lee & Low. Van Wright, a native New Yorker, and Hu, who was born in Taiwan, are a husband and wife team living in New York City.
Ying-Hwa Hu and Cornelius Van Wright have illustrated many award-winning books for Lee & Low, including Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree and Sam and the Lucky Money. Van Wright, a native New Yorker, and Hu, who was born in Taiwan, are a husband and wife team living in New York City.
