Laufey is releasing a children’s book next year inspired by her mascot, titled Mei Mei The Bunny.
Mei Mei has been a mascot and alias for the Los Angeles-based, Icelandic-Chinese artist and former NME Cover star in recent years, including during the campaign for her recent third album ‘A Matter Of Time’, which was released in August.
Now, it has been announced that Laufey has created a picture book inspired by the character, to be published by Penguin Workshop on April 21 (pre-order it here). Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara, it will tell the story of Mei Mei’s ambitions to become a professional musician and the hurdles she has to overcome.
A synopsis reads: “Mei Mei is a little bunny with a big dream. She wants to make the world happy with her music! Her first recital at the H’Opera House is approaching, and she’s been practicing harder than any bunny ever has. But the butterflies in her stomach flit and flutter. When Mei Mei plays the wrong note in front of everyone, will she be able to find the melody to make it right?”
Laufey added: “I’m so excited to now share Mei Mei The Bunny in storybook form! Mei Mei has been a part of my life for over the last few years and opening up the world around her has been the most beautiful exploration. I hope that anyone at any age can find something in Mei Mei’s story that inspires them and connects them to the people in their lives.”
The singer recently announced a UK and European arena tour for February and March 2026, including shows in Manchester, Dublin and London’s O2 Arena. See all the dates here and find any remaining tickets here.
In a four-star review of ‘A Matter Of Time’, NME wrote: “‘A Matter Of Time’ is just as gorgeous as its predecessors, but this time, there’s more darkness shadowing the gleam. Sometimes that manifests in Laufey’s vocals or lyrics – over the bossa nova swing (and Clairo backing vocals) of ‘Mr. Eclectic’, she elegantly eviscerates men trying to “woo and win” her. “You think you’re so interesting,” she sings with an audible eye roll and mocking smirk, putting pretentious posers who “think you’re so poetic / Quoting epics and ancient prose” firmly in their place.”
NME also spoke to Laufey about the making of the album. “There are parts of me that come out in this album that I didn’t dare to put out in the last few,” she said. “The way the album’s sequenced is it starts with this hope and a little bit of fear of love – it’s a first date. And then as the album progresses, it falls more and more into anxiety, and falls apart.”
