Celebrate Lunar New Year in Pok Pok!
Bringing in the Year of the Dragon with updates to 2 toys—including new music by guest composer Heidi Chan!
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is a vibrant and festive celebration that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. It’s a time of renewal and honoring ancestors through gathering loved ones and partaking in traditional customs. Some of these traditions include exchanging red envelopes to symbolize blessings and good luck for the upcoming year. There are also dragon and lion dances accompanied by fireworks to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Significance of the Dragon
The dragon is a mythical creature carrying meanings of strength, power, and good fortune. It’s often seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity with a protective nature that brings safety and security to all. People born in the year of the dragon will have strengths in leadership with charismatic personalities and ample ambition! This is fitting considering that the Year of the Dragon is also believed to be a time when new ideas and breakthroughs can occur, fostering innovation and progress.
Updates to Busy Book & Radio
Busy Book has been updated with handmade animations and sounds depicting popular symbols of this holiday and loved ones coming together over a Lunar New Year meal. You can see a dragon and lion dance, set-off a firework, and more!
Two brand-new songs have been added to Radio thanks to the work of guest composer and producer, Heidi Chan. One track takes on a more traditional approach with flutes dancing over drums, coalescing into a lively, triumphant tune. The second is more of a nostalgic, pop number that weaves elements of the traditional into a soft, calming ballad. We hope you can feel the love and spirit of Lunar New Year in Heidi’s compositions!
Being a Mirror & Window for Kids
When we first introduced the Lunar New Year content 2 years ago, we were so excited to hear such a positive response from parents who were overjoyed that their children could not only see themselves in Pok Pok, but that they could also use this section of the Busy Book to spark conversations around their culture and traditions.
Pok Pok Creative Director Esther Huybreghts often talks about how we aim to create both windows and mirrors with our toys. Windows give kids an opportunity to look out at the world and learn something new, seeing all of the diversity the world has to offer. Mirrors give kids a chance to see themselves in Pok Pok, validating and connecting with something they feel is core to their identities.
Our wish for every toy in Pok Pok is that we can offer both windows and mirrors to kids all over the world. So, whether you see your family in our Lunar New Year content or are learning about it for the first time, we hope you will enjoy this small slice of holiday festivities.
As you settle into the new year, take the opportunity to simply be together in play with your child, making memories and supporting their little growing brains!
From all of us here at Pok Pok, we wish everyone celebrating a prosperous, Happy New Year!
We’ve been so inspired by the unique approach of each child who plays with our toys and can’t wait to hear what families like yours think of this one. Receiving your feedback, videos and ideas for new updates is so important for the growth of Pok Pok so please say hello at hello@playpokpok.com or on social media @playpokpok.
