Mei and the First Lantern: A Lunar New Year Story About Beginning the Light

By Arva Ezzi

It's New Year's Eve, and Mei's whole house is buzzing with happy jobs: sweeping, cooking, decorating. Mei wants a big job too, but sweeping the old year out the door, hanging red paper, folding dumplings with Nainai, and stacking red envelopes all feel like just the beginning. Then the lion dance goes roaring past, the reunion table fills with family, and after dinner, Nainai brings out something wrapped in soft cloth: the biggest red lantern Mei has ever seen.

When Nainai asks Mei to light the very first lantern of the New Year, Mei is sure she's still too little. But little hands, it turns out, can still begin something bright, and one small light can set a whole street glowing.

A warm, joyful read-aloud celebration of Lunar New Year traditions and a grandmother-granddaughter bond, for ages 4 to 8. Perfect for sharing the sights, smells, and light of the Spring Festival with any child, whether it's a beloved yearly tradition at home or a first joyful introduction.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HG6FSXYB
• ISBN13: 9798193919537
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 25 Pages
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 0.1" x 8.0"