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Mei Li

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mei Li
Original cover illustrated by Handforth
AuthorThomas Handforth
IllustratorThomas Handforth
GenreChildren's picture book
PublisherDoubleday
Publication date
1938
Publication placeUnited States

Mei Li (also called Mei Li's Chinese New Year) is a book by Thomas Handforth. Released by Doubleday, it was the second recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1939.[1] As one of the first American picture books to have an Asian protagonist, it is considered a milestone for diversity in children's fiction.[2]

Plot

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This story is about a girl named Mei Li who ventures out to attend the Chinese New Year festivities with her brother San Yu and is burdened with the task to prove that there are activities for girls, too.[3]

References

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  1. ^ American Library Association: Caldecott Medal Winners, 1938 - Present. URL accessed 27 May 2009.
  2. ^ "Mei Li's Chinese New Year". New York Public Library. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  3. ^ "The Story of Mei Li". The Horn Book. Horn Book Magazine. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
Awards
Preceded by Caldecott Medal recipient
1939
Succeeded by