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MOCAKIDS: Author Meet & Greet with Cynthia X Li & MOCACREATE!
May 16, 2026, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Dragons are mean and scary and breathe fire, right? Not so fast! Learn all about the Chinese dragon, the 龙 (pronounced “Loong”) with author Cynthia X Li in “I’m a Loong, Not a Dragon!” at our MOCAKIDS Author Meet & Greet. Learn some amazing Loong lore in this exciting tale of a Loong at school! After an interactive read-aloud and Q&A, join us to make your very own dancing Loong to parade through the museum.
Reading begins at 2:30 PM, with Q&A and craft to follow. Best for children ages 4-8. Older and younger siblings welcome. Book signing and purchase will follow the reading!
Join us before or after the Author Meet & Greet for MOCACREATE: Build a Bright World with Teaching Artist Yu Rong! Celebrate the opening of our special exhibit, Ed Young’s Bright Worlds, by exploring the visual storytelling used by this award-winning illustrator. What bright world will you create? Share your story by sprinkling salt over glue to create textured characters and imaginative elements. Then add watercolor to bring your ideas to life in vivid color. Browse the exhibit or our collection of Ed Young books for inspiration!
Schedule
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MOCACREATE drop-in arts & crafts will run from 2 – 4 PM.
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The MOCAKIDS Author Meet & Greet with Cynthia X Li will begin at 2:30 PM.
About “I’m a Loong, Not a Dragon”
“The Chinese dragon is not a dragon?” That’s right—it’s a Loong! When this magical creature appears in an American classroom during Lunar New Year, the students are full of questions. As Loong shares his story, the class uncovers surprising truths, challenges old myths, thinks critically, and works together to set the record straight. Whimsical, eye-opening, and full of heart, this is a tale about friendship, identity, cultural pride, and the power of curiosity.
About the Author
My name is Cynthia X Li, or 李馨源 in Chinese. I have been a public school Mandarin teacher in New York for 11 years. I was born and raised in Inner Mongolia, China. I earned my bachelor’s degree in English from Beijing Language and Culture University, during which I studied in Kentucky for a year as an exchange student. I moved to the U.S. to pursue my master’s degree in Foreign Language Teaching at New York University in 2012, and I started my journey as a Mandarin teacher after graduating. I live on Long Island with my two amazing children, Caitlin and Caden.
My love for children’s books started after my daughter was born in 2020. I read at least four books with her every day, and I was blown away by how creative children’s authors and illustrators can be. Watching her fall in love with certain stories and ask for them over and over again inspired me to dream about creating books that could spark the same joy in other children.
Two years later, two months before our son was born, my husband tragically passed away in a car accident. This devastating loss brought immense challenges and stress, as I had to learn how to raise two little children on my own while grieving and keeping up with my full-time teaching job. But in the middle of all that, I felt a stronger call to chase my dream of writing children’s books. In late 2024, I finally went for it. I had no idea that this process could be so fulfilling and healing. Every night, after my children are asleep, I spend one or two hours learning, writing, editing, drawing (I’m not good enough at illustrating yet, but I will be someday), and figuring out how to share my work. Even though it all takes way longer than I expected, every step feels meaningful and brings a little light into my life.
And so, Comma Books was born. My motto is: Pause, Read, Plant a Seed. I hope my books inspire readers—children and adults alike—to pause in their busy lives and enjoy a moment of reading. We can all plant a seed in our hearts, and let our dreams grow. Visit our website at https://thecommabooks.com/
About the Illustrator
My name is Arthur Lin or 林亚瑟 in Chinese. I was born in Dallas, Texas and I have been a children’s illustrator for over 10 years. I am currently represented by Shannon Associates and have had my work published by a variety of children’s media companies, which include Random House, Houghton Mifflin, and Mattel. I am currently loving being a new dad, and my daughter is already wanting to become an artist when she grows up. Visit my website for more information: arthurdraws.com.
About the Teaching Artist
Yu Rong is a painter and product designer. She was born in Sichuan and currently lives in New York City, where she is a teaching artist at the Hope Garden Center and at MOCA. She received her BFA in Product Design and MFA in Painting at Parsons School of Design and NYSS, but has been practicing art ever since she was a child. You can learn more about her here: www.yurong.work!
Paint, build, craft, and collage with us! Inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and local artists, MOCACREATE explores different themes every month. MOCACREATE workshops are designed with families in mind, but all are welcome!
MOCAKIDS Author Meet & Greet and MOCACREATE are FREE with admission! RSVP optional, but appreciated. MOCA Members should enter their promo code to access complimentary tickets. NYC residents can present their IDs for pay-what-you-wish admission at the Visitor Services front desk.
General Admission
- Adults: $15
- Seniors (over 55): $10
- Students (with valid ID): $10
- Visitors with disabilities: $10
Member Admission: FREE
Not a MOCA member yet? Join MyMOCA now to receive exclusive member benefits, special discounts and offerings, and “First to Know!” announcements about MOCA’s exhibitions and public programs.
Pay-What-You-Wish Admission
NYC Residents (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island)
Accepted Residency Verification:
- New York State driver’s license
- New York State ID card
- IDNYC
- New York library card
- Current bill or statement with a New York State address
Pay-what-you-wish admission can only be purchased in person with a residency verification.
Complimentary Admission and Passes
Eligible visitors must present valid ID, membership card, or pass upon arrival. Complimentary admission is available to:
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- Children under 12
- Caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities
- Active-duty military personnel and families (with valid military ID)
- Health care workers (with valid employee ID)
- Cool Culture Family Pass holders (up to 5 family members per visit)
- Culture Pass holders (New York, Brooklyn, Queens Public Libraries, with reservation)
- SNAP/EBT cardholders
- American Alliance of Museums (AAM) members
- International Council of Museums (ICOM) members
- Museums Council of New York City members
- Press and media (with valid press ID)
- Corporate Partners (employees with valid corporate ID)
- Reciprocal members from participating institutions
- Bronx Museum Pass holders
- Staff of other museums and cultural organizations (with valid employee ID)
MOCACREATE is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts under Governor Kathy Hochul’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.
