Guest post from Hannah Rials
Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale from Barefoot Books is a 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.
Lin Yi has a list of groceries that he absolutely must buy in the market for the Moon Festival tonight. He can repeats his list over and over again on his fingers, just so he won’t forget. More than anything, Lin Yi wants to buy a Red Rabbit Lantern to light at the festival. He is a good haggler and knows that he will have to get good deals on the rest of his grocery list in order purchase a lantern.
Upon arriving at the market, Lin Yi is tempted with all the other treats that he could spend his mother’s money on, but he is strong and only buys what is on his list. Then he spots the lantern booth. He still has two more items on his list, but he is terribly afraid that when he returns for his lantern, they will all be gone. But that’s not his real problem. Even though he haggled very well and received great deals, he still did not have enough money for a lantern, all thanks to Uncle Hui’s peanuts. So Lin Yi biked home empty handed and very disappointed. However, the magic of the Moon Festival was working in Lin Yi’s favor. When he returned home, handing Uncle Hui his peanuts, Uncle Hui surprised him with his very own, beautiful, red rabbit lantern. Together, boy and aging man, the two walked up the mountain with the festival, peanuts crunching and the lantern glowing brightly in the dark sky.
Barefoot Books has done it again! Brenda Williams and Benjamin Lacombe have created a beautiful story about sacrifice and reward. They educate on the magic of the Chinese culture and society. Lin Yi’s sacrifice does not go unnoticed by the Moon Fairy, and he is rewarded. The illustrations are beautiful and captivating! And be sure to check out the back of the book, where step-by-step instructions are given on how to make a Chinese lantern, Uncle Hui’s version of the Moon Fairy myth, and a description of the Chinese market! Order your copy of Lin Yi’s Lantern and view other Barefoot Books HERE.
Something To Do:
I followed the instructions in the back of the book and made my own paper lantern. Typically, butterflies, rabbits, and lobsters are drawn, but there is nothing wrong with making your lantern your own!
2. Make a Moon Cake:from DLTK KIDS
3. Moon Festival Coloring Pages: From Childbook.com
**some of these links are affiliate links.
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