Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas

Synopsis:

“Shanté Keys loves New Year’s Day! But while Grandma fixed chitlins, baked ham, greens, and cornbread, she forgot the black-eyed peas! Oh no—it’ll be bad luck without them! So Shanté sets out to borrow some from the neighbors. Does Miss Lee have peas? What about Mr. MacGhee, or Shanté’s good friend Hari? None of them do—but, as Shanté discovers, they have fun foods and traditions for their New Year’s! Now, if only Shanté can find good-luck peas in time for dinner!”

Review:

This is an adorable book about New Year’s traditions from cultures from around the world! With bright colors and rhyming couplets – this is a great read aloud. I discovered this story through a co-worker who used it for our library’s Noon Year’s Eve program! Or, you could share it at home and start a new tradition of your own.

I love learning about how people celebrate holidays! When we were little we’d bang pots and pans outside after midnight and have a pork roast on New Year’s Day. Last year, my friend shared one of her family traditions of adding 12 raisins to your champagne for your midnight toast.

Teaching kids about cultures, religions, and traditions is so important and this is an easily accessible and fun way to do so!

Need to Know:

Title: Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas
Author: Gail Piernas-Davenport
Illustrator: Marion Eldridge
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.
Publication Date: January 2007
Page Number: 32 pgs.