Mei Li
By Thomas Handforth
The Story
A young girl slips away from home on New Year's Eve to explore a bustling fair full of sights and surprises, hurrying to return before the Kitchen God arrives.
Why It's Special
For the kid who wants to know what happens when you sneak off on the biggest day of the year, this is a day of wandering brought vividly to life.
- Big idea: A single day of freedom and discovery can feel like a whole adventure, especially when tradition is waiting at the end of it.
- Vibes: Bustling, festive, curious, warm.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories set in faraway places and times
- like to imagine themselves exploring a busy fair
- are curious about holiday customs and traditions
- respond well to richly detailed illustrations to pore over
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & setting: What kinds of things do you think Mei Li saw and did at the fair?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever gone somewhere exciting and lost track of time?
- Imagination: If you could spend a day at a fair like Mei Li's, what would you want to see first?
- Tradition & culture: Why do you think it was so important for Mei Li to get home in time to greet the Kitchen God?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Mei Li felt rushing home before the celebration began?
