Karen Chinn

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.… (mais)

I think Sam and the Lucky Money is a book every child should read. It tells a heartwarming story about a little boy getting "lucky money" from his grandparents for Chinese New Year. He is so excited about spending his money but realizes with 4 dollars, he cannot get what he wanted. He encountered a stranger who was homeless and at the end of the story, he gives his 4 dollars to the man. Sam had noticed how grateful the man was when he received a quarter and decided to give him his 4 dollars. I love how at the very last page of the book, the illustrator had him hugging his grandma because of the 4 dollars. He realized how grateful and lucky he was. This is a great story to share with young readers. They will be affected by thinking of others who have less than they do. They can also learn that the best gift comes from the heart.… (mais)