Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Story
Barefoot Books
age 5 to 8
Written by Brenda Williams and illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe
24 pages
Synopsis from Barefoot Books:
Meet Lin Yi — a little boy with a big heart and a talent for bargaining. Tonight is the moon festival and he wants nothing more than a red rabbit lantern; but first he must buy the things his mother needs at the market. This heartwarming story shows the rewards of putting others first, and includes educational notes at the end about the Chinese moon festival, life in rural China, and the legend of the moon fairy.
Even though the Moon Festival isn’t until the fall, my kids loved reading about it. Lin Yi’s Lantern gave the kids a peek into a great Chinese festival, like that of Chinese New Year. Brenda did a great job having Lin Yi repeat his shopping list as he travelled through the market. As we read the story my kids started to recite his also. When Lin Yi decided he was ready to buy his lantern, my kids were quick to point out that he forgot to buy peanuts. They loved being part of the story.
For added enjoyment the book includes Uncle Hui’s retelling of the Moon Fairy legend, plus a brief description of market life in China. Since most of the story took place in the market as Lin Yi bartered to save enough for his prized red rabbit lantern, this added a nice extension to the story. It took a fictitious account and added the reality of chinese life.
But I must admit the part my kids enjoyed most was the instructions to make a chinese lantern. These will make great decorations for our Chinese New Year celebration.
You can add Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Story to your personal library by visiting your local book store or visiting Barefoot Books. Visit our Kid’s Books section for other great book recommendations. What are you reading with your kids?
I have to thank Barbara at Barefoot Books for my review copy.