Sam and the Lucky Money
Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 14th in 2010. It is the first day of the Year of the Tiger. Families could do well to celebrate the "New Year." As Karen Chinn says, "It is a time of new beginning. You need to put things in order, sweep out dust from your home, and mend any friendships. You think good thoughts and don't say bad words or negative things. It's a time to acquire luck for the forthcoming year. Everyday we must try to be kind."
Sam and the Lucky Money is a great book to read to young children about receiving, giving and acts of kindness. In Sam and the Lucky Money, Sam is excited to spend his lucky money (leisees) in Chinatown. His excitement turns to disappointment when he realizes that he cannot afford to buy what he wants for himself. Sam's mother reminds him to appreciate the gift. Sam's decision shows us how to appreciate our gifts and how to give from the heart.
Interview with Karen Chinn
1. What is your background and how did you choose to write Sam and the Lucky Money?
I am second generation Chinese American, that is, my mother was born in China and I was born in the U.S. I was born in Seattle, WA and now live just outside of there, in Bellevue, WA. I chose to write Sam and the Lucky Money because I wanted to remember, put down on paper, the traditions surrounding Chinese New Year's. I realized I was forgetting many of the details and so were many of my Chinese American friends. Once we sat down and talked about how our families celebrated Chinese New Year's and it took all of [the] memories to put a coherent picture together.
One custom that my siblings and I still balk at is: You're not supposed to wash your hair on Chinese New Year's, because you are washing away your luck.
2. Is Sam and the Lucky Money based on a personal experience?
No, Sam is not based on personal experience, though it takes place in Chinatown, New York, where I lived for 20 years. It is the largest Chinatown in the United States and, not like any other, with the dense Chinese American population and bustling daily shopping, eating, and living that goes on there.
3. Is Chinese New Year the most important celebration for Chinese children?
In the U.S., Chinese New Year's is less important than in Asia and even less important on the West Coast than the East Coast. For example, in New York City, it is the one day that all the businesses shutter their doors, when even on Christmas day they do not. I think this has to do with how assimilated the population is; in New York, there is a higher immigrant population, and there are more places that support keeping and following traditions. For example, for years, there was not one Chinese bakery in Seattle and you could not buy cookies or pastries associated with New Year's. You had to skip that part of the tradition and that's how things are forgotten.
4. Can you give a brief description of Chinese New Year for those of us not familiar with it?
The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar. It is also the start of its annual animal astrological sign; this year is the Year of the Horse. It is a time of new beginning. You need to put things in order, sweep out dust from your home, and mend any friendships. You think good thoughts and don't say bad words or negative things. It's a time to acquire luck for the forthcoming year.
5. Do most children receive "leisees?" Why do they call it lucky money? Is it similar to receiving money at Christmas or Chanukah? Is it a gesture or are children expected to buy specific items with it.
Leisees are red envelopes with money inside. They are given to children (as well as unmarried adults) by married people, for Chinese New Year's, as well as other occasions, such as a baby's month old party, birthdays, weddings, and funerals. They are a symbol of luck for the recipient as well as the giver. I do not believe they are specified for any purpose though, a leisee given after a funeral is usually for something sweet, like candy. I can only guess this is to leave a good taste in one's mouth.
6. Do you have any suggestions for how children could celebrate Chinese New Year?
I think the #1 suggestion is: Clean your room, kids!
7. Is there a special message you would like to share with kids?
What Sam gave to the homeless person was more than money. He gave kindness. He did not ignore the homeless person, but looked at him and acknowledged him. He put himself in the homeless man's shoes and felt what he was feeling (the cold feet) and then he thought of way to help him. Everyday, we must try to be kind.
8. Are you working on other books or projects for children?
I am currently at work on a few children's book projects, but my main project is my 6-1/2 year old daughter, Louisa. Thank you for this opportunity to "talk" with kids around the world.
FamilyCares thanks Karen Chinn for the wonderful story of Sam's kindness and the true spirit of giving.
"Fu" or luck in Chinese
This interview was conducted by email.
Maureen Byrne, January 2002
