Dear Friend,

It is time for ChinaSprout's Semi-Annual Sale! We have put hundreds of items on sale to make room for even more great products coming in from China. Many of our sale items are great for celebrating the Chinese New Year, so don't miss this opportunity to save. With only three weeks left until the Year of the Dog, make sure you visit ChinaSprout's Chinese New Year page to find lanterns, ornaments, books, clothing, decorations, and more for the Lunar festival. This week, we have added new arts & crafts, home decor, apparel, accessories, books, and music products to our shelves. There is so much to choose from to help you celebrate the New Year holiday and begin the year anew!

Celebrate Year of the Dog!

2006 is the Year of the Dog. The Chinese welcome in this new Lunar Year on January 29th, 2006. Visit our special Chinese New Year page to find everything you need to help you celebrate this special holiday, just as millions of Chinese do around the world. ChinaSprout also offers free eCards, which you can send to your friends and family to wish them joy and prosperity in the Year of the Dog!

FREE Chinese New Year Gift

To celebrate the Year of the Dog, we are offering a "buy two, get one free" promotion. From now until January 23, 2006, when you purchase two Firecracker Hangings, you will receive a third one for Free (make sure to add three items to your cart). These ornaments are a festive way to commemorate the New Year holiday. And, they are great to share with family and friends to introduce them to this most important Chinese holiday.

After Holiday Sale

Visit our After Holiday Sales pages to find great bargains on holiday decorations and ornaments, apparel and accessories for kids and adults, toys, home decor items, and many more fabulous pieces. Many items are reduced up to 60% from their original prices. It is never too early to start gift purchases for next Christmas or to put items away for next year's holiday decorating.

Chinese Astrology

Every twelve years the same Chinese astrological sign comes up again. According to age-old lunar astrology, the nature of the entire year is influenced by the character of its animal sign. What will your Chinese astrological sign tell you? Read more in Letha's special article for ChinaSprout.

Calligraphy Cotton Mandarin Suit/Pajama

Year of Dog Wall Hanging

Dragon Silk Scrapbook Photo Album

China Festival

Arts & Crafts

Welcome the Chinese New Year with beautiful decorations from ChinaSprout. Our gorgeous wall hangings and lanterns will brighten any space. Featuring traditional greeting children, good fortune characters, and dogs to commemorate this special year, these red and gold decorative pieces can be brought out year after year.

Home Decor

Bring a bit of Asia into your home with ChinaSprout's unique home decor products. Our colorful stone eggs and Tang pottery make lovely New Year decorations. The gorgeous oil painting and detailed chess set are wonderful examples of skilled Chinese craftsmanship. After the holidays, you can display your cherished photo memories in our dragon photo album or flower frame.

Apparel and Accessories

ChinaSprout has handsome Mandarin suits and jackets for men and boys. These attractive outfits are perfect for wearing to a New Year's parade or banquet. Little girls can dress up their favorite doll for the Lunar festivities in an elegant suit or sundress made of bright, neon colors. For mom, we have a charming set of silver and stone earrings and silk fans to compliment her favorite QiPao for the holiday.

Books about Chinese Culture

Our latest shipment includes books that introduce readers to Chinese classics, poetry, geography, and wisdom. "Journey to the West", tells the engaging story of China's mischievous Monkey King. And, for those teaching children about Chinese New Year, "A Time for Parades, Family, and Friends" offers a relatable way to share this holiday with young listeners.

Books to Learn Chinese

Is your New Year's resolution to finally learn Chinese? If so, ChinaSprout can help. We have an extensive collection of Chinese language learning books in simple and traditional characters, as well as pinyin and English. Our newest books are great for language students who wish to master reading. We also have added texts to support intermediate learners in the business arena.

Elementary Chinese Reading Course

Reading Chinese Newspaper

Newspaper Language Basics

Easy Chinese Reading

China Panorama Chinese for Business

Advanced Chinese Reading

Chinese Reading

Music CD

Celebrate the Year of the Dog with joyful music from our collection of Chinese New Year CDs. Kids will love our newest CDs containing classic children's songs, known throughout China. We have also added popular CDs from some of China's most renowned contemporary musicians.

The China Related TV list is compiled weekly by Kirby Bartlett-Sloan. Kirby, an adoptive parent of three Chinese girls, has one of the most comprehensive TV listings of programs on China and from China that are in the English language.

Reading Rainbow - Liang and the Magic Paint Brush

New York's Chinatown is the setting for a study of Chinese culture. Reviewed: Wendy Kesselman's "Emma"; "Ben's Trumpet," by Rachel Isadora. Thursday January 12, 2006 11:30am-12:00pm on WPBA (Atlanta PBS - check your local PBS listings) - Children's Show / Educational

The Good Earth (1937)

Drought, famine and greed take their toll on a Chinese farming couple in this adaptation of the Pearl Buck novel. Director: Sidney Franklin Performers: Walter Connolly, Charley Grapewin, Keye Luke, Paul Muni, Luise Rainer, Jessie Ralph Thursday January 12, 2006 12:30pm-3:00pm on TCM - Turner Classic Movies - Movie / Drama

Little Einsteins - Dragon Kite

In China, while searching for kites that are needed in a parade, the kids go into a pagoda, cruise the Yangtze River, visit the famous Himalayan peaks and climb the Great Wall. Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suite" is featured, along with art by Zhang Lu, Qiu Ying, Zosan and Cai Jia. Thursday January 12, 2006 12:30pm-1:00pm on Disney Channel - Children's Show / Educational

Click here for more listings

Foreign-Language Learning Promoted

Washington Post, Jan 6, 2006 -- President Bush announced plans yesterday to boost foreign-language study in the United States, casting the initiative as a strategic move to better engage other nations in combating terrorism and promoting freedom and democracy.

Read the full article here

China Rail Company Plans Express to Tibet

SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Banking on the appetite of foreign and newly wealthy Chinese tourists for adventure, with five-star amenities, a Shanghai-based company plans to set up luxury express railway lines to Tibet's Himalayan capital, Lhasa.

Read the full article here

Chinese language study catching on in U.S. classrooms

The Seattle Times, PORTLAND, Ore. Jan 1, 2006 — Twenty-four young faces in the kindergarten class at Woodstock Elementary School watch intently as their teacher holds up a construction paper cut-out of a large red circle, and waits for them to identify the shape...It's the world's most widely-spoken language, but one that's only just beginning to surface in U.S. classrooms, especially at the elementary level.

Read the full article here

NOTE: Select NY Times articles require registration which provides free and instant access to breaking news, reviews, online classifieds and more on NYTimes.com.

What shall a man do when he meets with some misfortune in the future if he talks about others' shortcomings now?" - Quotations from Mencius

Mencius reminds us that we should always take care in what we say. Misfortune is never far from any of us and none of us is perfect. If we heed the warning to be kind and not glory in others' shortcomings, we will find the favor returned when we most need the compassion of others. We hope that you will always be surrounded by friends with kind words.

Your Friends,

The ChinaSprout Team

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