A local author's new book is helping people better understand Chinese culture.

Maria Wen Adcock's wrote "It's A Chinese New Year, Curious George." The book follows the popular monkey as he learns about many Chinese New Year traditions.

"Traditions are important no matter what your background is – and for Chinese New Year, it's about family," Adcock says.

The book explains how the Chinese New Year originated, the zodiac calendar, and symbolic food.