Mei Li

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]

Mei Li

Original cover illustrated by Handforth
Author	Thomas Handforth
Illustrator	Thomas Handforth
Genre	Children's picture book
Publisher	Doubleday
Publication date	1938
Publication place	United States

Plot

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

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.

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Awards
Preceded by Animals of the Bible	Caldecott Medal recipient 1939	Succeeded by Abraham Lincoln