The Feast of Lanterns

by Allen Say

Two young brothers living in a fishing village on a small Japanese island steal their uncle's boat to visit the mainland for the first time.

Genres: Childrens

56 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Allen Say is one of the most beloved artists working today. He is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, and also won a Caldecott Honor and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (written by Dianne Snyder). Many of Allen’s stories are derived from his own experiences as a child. His other books include THE BICYCLE MAN, TEA WITH MILK, and TREE OF CRANES, hailed by The Horn Book in a starred review as “the achievement of a master in his prime.” Allen’s recent book, ERIKA-SAN, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the earlier illustrated children's books by this author. Definitely not a picture book. Two young boys take their uncle's rowboat and have an adventure. There are no real consequences. But we see the differences between the fishing island and a populated village. This captures a time and a place though in kind of a timeless way. The art is cartoony but nice.

[Regine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two brothers’ brief festival adventure, with Say’s illustrations providing a lively sense of place.