Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Random House, 2010 ISBN: 978-0375861017
The golden yellow mid-autumn moon is rising in the night sky and the little girl and her family are going to have a nighttime picnic to celebrate the harvest moon. When they get to their picnic spot, Ba-Ba, the children’s father, arranges the “moon-honoring table.” Jei-Jei brings out the lanterns, and the little girl pours out the tea.
Then the family members sit down by the light of the lanterns and they eat “soft, sweet mooncakes.” They give thanks to the moon for “bringing us together” and “send it our secret wishes.”
In this beautifully simple picture book, Grace Lin gives children a picture of what a Mid-Autumn celebration is like. One of the most important celebrations in the year for Chinese and other Asian people, it is a happy time for children and their families.
At the back of the book, the author provides her readers with further information about the Mid-Autumn Festival.
