The month of September brings a spectacular full moon, which is celebrated around the world as the Harvest Moon. In China, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia, it is time for the Autumn Moon Festival. While round bean-filled moon cakes are readily available in Chinese bakeries and markets, do you know the story behind the holiday?
Lin Yi’s Lantern, by Brenda Williams and illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe (Barefoot Books, 2009) is a Moon Festival tale worthy of O. Henry.
Lin Yi is a little boy living in China way back when. Even though he’s a kid, he’s charged with going to the market to buy supplies for the festivies: moon cakes, star fruit, rice, yams… and peanuts for Uncle Hui.
But there’s one more thing Lin Yi would really like.
“Can I buy a red rabbit lantern for the moon festival — please!” begged Lin Yi.
“Well, that is up to you,” said his mother. “I have no more money to spare, but if you bargain well at the market you may have enough left for a red rabbit lantern.”
As you can imagine, this proves harder than Lin Yi expected… but in the heartwarming ending, he learns that special things sometimes happen during the Moon Festival.
Lin Yi’s Lantern was sent to me by the wonderful folks at Barefoot Books, a publisher of children’s books that include stories from many cultures and walks of life.
You have a chance to win Lin Yi’s Lantern, or another book of your choice from Barefoot Books.
Here’s how:
- Visit the Barefoot Books website and find a title that interests you
- Come back to HapaMama and leave a comment below, telling which book you like and why.
- On Monday, September 12 — the Moon Festival — I’ll randomly pick a winner!
The contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Sorry, no P.O. boxes.
This contest has ended.
On the store’s site I like the book, “My Granny Went to Market” – it incorporates counting and exposes kids to places around the world!
I would like “The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac” to learn more about the animals on the Chinese calendar.
There’s a book on their site called “Kids Kitchen” that I’d love to win. I’ve been cooking a lot with my 11 year old daughter and it’s so much fun!
Christina Simon
csimon2007 (at) gmail (dot) com
What a great website! I am excited about the book The Barefoot Book of Princesses. My daughter loves princesses and I love seeing a book where it appears the princesses are strong diverse women!
Hi Grace,
Thanks for reminding me of Barefoot books– what a wonderful selection! I would love either “Lin Yi’s Lantern” (because I need reminding there is much more to the moon festival than eating mooncakes) or the “Kids Kitchen” deck (so my kids can start making dinner for me).
Happy Moon Festival!
I love the Indian Tales
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
I think this book titled; The Barefoot Book of Faeries sounds very interesting and would be a delight to read
Thanks for the awesome giveaway
I would love “Listen, Listen” because my baby is learning a lot of sounds now. I also like the illustrations.
Hi Grace,
Lin Yi’s Lantern sounds like a wonderful addition to my son Isaac’s library. Thank you for sharing!
Cheers,
Pat