In these charming volumes, Little Mei asks her grandfather about each of the four different Chinese celebrations represented. He tells her the stories of Nian and the monster Xi (Chinese New Year); Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet who loved his kingdom (Dragon Boat Festival); the Jade Emperor of Heaven who ordered the earth to be destroyed by fire (Lantern Festival); and Hou Yi who shot down the suns (Mid-Autumn Festival). In Celebrating the Lantern Festival Little Mei wants to know why her grandpa is making a paper lantern. Grandpa tells her the story of the Jade Emperor of Heaven and how he ordered the earth to be destroyed by fire. The story also includes a quick recipe for yuanxiao, sticky rice dumplings.
