Mei Fuh: Memories from China

This little book is sweet, but not overly so. Whether it's describing a little girl's love of twirling, the cook eating Mei Fuh's goldfish in her absence, or even a mention of bound feet, Mei Fuh's childish views and descriptions are just delightful. I read a couple/few chapters each night for bedtime stories, and my 6-year-old and 3-year-old asked for "just one more story" every single night. As an adult, I enjoyed the writing and art as much as my girls did. Gentle, happy, and just plain adorable.

Mei Fuh is a wonderfully illustrated collection of memories of author Edith Shaeffer's childhood in China in the 1920's. She vividly describes the sights, sounds, tastes and smells that are characteristly common to children. China in this era is quite different from the China of today and the descriptions included in this book may generate thoughtful study of the history of this period of history. I would recommend this book for a look into the unusual aspects of childhood experience in China of the 1920's.