Lin Yi's Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale - Hardcover

Williams, Brenda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846861470 ISBN 13: 9781846861475

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 2009

Synopsis

When his mother sends him to the market to buy necessities for the upcoming festival, Lin Yi is certain his bargaining skills will get him the best prices and he will have money left over for his coveted red rabbit lantern.

About this title

About the Author

Brenda Williams, a former primary school English teacher, is now a highly regarded children's poet. She is also the author of Home for a Tiger, Home for a Bear (9781905236800) and The Real Princess: A Mathemagical Adventure (9781905236879). She lives in Wiltshire, England and is married with two children and five grandchildren. Benjamin Lacombe is an illustrator living in Paris. He graduated from the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs de Paris (ENSAD), while also working in advertising and in animation. He has since illustrated many comic book series and children's books. This is his first project for Barefoot Books.

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 3—A Chinese boy heads to market to shop for items for the upcoming Moon Festival. His mother warns him that if he wishes to purchase the red rabbit lantern that he's longed for, he must bargain carefully. Lin Yi repeats the shopping list faithfully to himself: "moon cakes, star fruit, rice, yams and...and I mustn't forget the peanuts for Uncle Hui." Walking through the busy marketplace, he resists toffee apples, fragrant rice, and a dough figure, delaying his gratification in hopes of attaining the lantern. Despite his best efforts, however, toward the end of his trip he realizes that he won't be able to afford both peanuts and the lantern. His selflessness in choosing the peanuts is rewarded when his uncle arrives with a gift—a red rabbit lantern. Gouache illustrations in mostly red, blue, and purple tones are highlighted with numerous origami paper designs. Back matter has notes about the traditional legend of the moon fairy, instructions for making a Chinese lantern, and a discussion of market life in China. This book sheds light on a unique cultural tradition.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public Library
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It is the night of the Moon Festival, and Lin Yi is sent to the market for specific items. He longs for a red rabbit lantern but may only buy one if he has money left over. Although he bargains well for each item, a disappointed Lin Yi returns home only with the things on his list. All ends happily, however, when his uncle surprises him with the very lantern he desired. Handsome, stylized gouache illustrations portray the Chinese characters and scenes from a variety of perspectives. In shades of mauve, the double-page spread of an obedient but forlorn Lin Yi pedaling home is especially affecting. The back matter includes an informative note about market life in China, an abbreviated retelling of The Legend of the Moon Fairy, and directions for making a simple Chinese lantern. The length of the narrative and accompanying cultural information make this an excellent supplement for primary multicultural units. Grades K-3. --Linda Perkins

Edition details

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1846861470
• ISBN 13: 9781846861475
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Lacombe Benjamin
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32