Caldecott Medal Winner
Mei Li
by Thomas Handforth
Summary
A spirited young girl named Mei Li travels to a New Year fair in a northern Chinese city, eager to see the wonders her brother described and to test the fortune teller's promise about her future. Thomas Handforth drew on years living in China to fill the pages with crowded markets, kite sellers, and the bustle of the festival, all rendered in lively black and white lithographs. The story follows Mei Li through a single busy day and closes with a warm lesson about home and the value of a girl's place in the family.
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Historical Context & Significance
Thomas Handforth based the book on his years living in Peking, and Mei Li was modeled on a real child he knew there.