"Maomao's father works far away and comes home only at Chinese New Year. When Papa arrives, Maomao hardly recognizes him at first. But before long, the family is making sticky rice balls, hearing the firecrackers, and watching the dragon dance in the street. Maomao loves doing ordinary things with Papa--getting a haircut, fixing things around the house, and sleeping tucked between her parents. But all too soon it is time for Papa to go away again....

When his family has to move again a few days before Christmas in order to find work, Panchito worries that he will not get the ball he has been wanting.