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Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
This simple, young, and satisfying story follows a Chinese American family as they celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.
Each member of the family lends a hand as they prepare a moonlit picnic with mooncakes, pomelos, cups of tea, and colorful lanterns. And everyone sends thanks and a secret wish up to the moon.
Grace Lin’s luminous and gloriously patterned artwork is perfect for this holiday tale. Her story is simple—tailor-made for reading aloud to young children. And she includes an informative author’s note with further details on the customs and traditions of the Moon Festival for parents and teachers. The Moon Festival is one of the most important holidays of the year along with the Lunar New Year, so this book makes an excellent companion to Grace Lin’s Bringing In the New Year, which features the same family.
Each member of the family lends a hand as they prepare a moonlit picnic with mooncakes, pomelos, cups of tea, and colorful lanterns. And everyone sends thanks and a secret wish up to the moon.
Grace Lin’s luminous and gloriously patterned artwork is perfect for this holiday tale. Her story is simple—tailor-made for reading aloud to young children. And she includes an informative author’s note with further details on the customs and traditions of the Moon Festival for parents and teachers. The Moon Festival is one of the most important holidays of the year along with the Lunar New Year, so this book makes an excellent companion to Grace Lin’s Bringing In the New Year, which features the same family.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 14, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
September 16, 2021
A simple story about the Asian celebration of the Moon Festival. Families gather together and bring poems, picnics, family and symbols in round shapes like the moon to gather together at night and send up wishes to the moon.
I love this. Simple, and in line with nature to have a moment together as a family, send up good wishes and thanks for a harvest year and enjoying the night sky. The artwork is nice, nothing elaborate and I enjoy Grace Lin’s touch here. The ends gives facts and more information about the holiday. This book is for the youngest of readers.
I love this. Simple, and in line with nature to have a moment together as a family, send up good wishes and thanks for a harvest year and enjoying the night sky. The artwork is nice, nothing elaborate and I enjoy Grace Lin’s touch here. The ends gives facts and more information about the holiday. This book is for the youngest of readers.
November 8, 2018
Much as she did in her
Dim Sum for Everyone!
, children's author Grace Lin uses a simple text and colorful, engaging gouache artwork to introduce young readers to an aspect of Chinese (and Chinese-American) culture. Here we have a family - Ma-ma, Ba-ba, Mei-mei, Jie-jie, and the narrator - embarking on a night-time picnic as part of their celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Setting out the food, arranging the moon-honoring table, this is a time when the whole family (and the whole community) gets involved!
With a text that is very simple indeed - no more than a sentence per page - I think Thanking the Moon makes an excellent introduction to this major Chinese holiday for younger children. I really enjoyed Lin's artwork, with its excellent use of color, and its fabric-like motifs, in the background, something I also observed in her Dim Sum for Everyone! (the only other one of the author/artist's books I have read, thus far). I do wish that, perhaps in her informative afterword, the author had included the information that Mei-mei means "little sister," and Jie-jie "big sister," as I think many of her readers will be unaware of that, but other than this, I recommend this one wholeheartedly, as an excellent picture-book celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!
With a text that is very simple indeed - no more than a sentence per page - I think Thanking the Moon makes an excellent introduction to this major Chinese holiday for younger children. I really enjoyed Lin's artwork, with its excellent use of color, and its fabric-like motifs, in the background, something I also observed in her Dim Sum for Everyone! (the only other one of the author/artist's books I have read, thus far). I do wish that, perhaps in her informative afterword, the author had included the information that Mei-mei means "little sister," and Jie-jie "big sister," as I think many of her readers will be unaware of that, but other than this, I recommend this one wholeheartedly, as an excellent picture-book celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!
October 4, 2010
Join a Chinese-American family as they head out into the night to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. They bring a night-time picnic and set up the moon-honoring table. There are glowing lanterns and tea to drink. There are also special mooncakes to munch. Then everyone thanks the moon for bringing them together and make secret wishes. This will have every child wishing that they could celebrate the Moon Festival too.
A gentle and simple story, Lin offers a glimpse of Chinese heritage in this picture book. With just one or two lines of text per double page spread, she invites readers to the picnic and the celebration. Her illustrations are jewel-toned and delightful. She fills the night time sky with swirls and plays with other patterns throughout as well. From the plate to the tea cups to clothing and lanterns, everything has a touch of pattern to catch the eye.
This short, simple book concludes with some additional information on the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival that will answer any questions that readers may have. Lin has once again created a book that is inviting, interesting and culturally fascinating. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
A gentle and simple story, Lin offers a glimpse of Chinese heritage in this picture book. With just one or two lines of text per double page spread, she invites readers to the picnic and the celebration. Her illustrations are jewel-toned and delightful. She fills the night time sky with swirls and plays with other patterns throughout as well. From the plate to the tea cups to clothing and lanterns, everything has a touch of pattern to catch the eye.
This short, simple book concludes with some additional information on the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival that will answer any questions that readers may have. Lin has once again created a book that is inviting, interesting and culturally fascinating. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
October 28, 2011
A pleasant story, sweet in its simplicity, of a family gathering together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with a traditional picnic. I really enjoyed how the story was very intimate, with just the family, then expanded (through the illustrations) to show many others celebrating, too. The story is simple enough to be shared with the young picture book crowd, but the information in the back gives more history about the festival and the traditions and myths associated with it.
May 22, 2011
This lovely book by Grace Lin is catalogued in fiction, but I think it should be in nonfiction.
In this book, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, commonly referred to as the Moon Festival, a family describes their celebratory traditions. I love the simple text with one sentence per page. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the text by providing great details to the text.
In this book, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, commonly referred to as the Moon Festival, a family describes their celebratory traditions. I love the simple text with one sentence per page. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the text by providing great details to the text.
November 14, 2024
حكاية حلوة ودافئة برسومات مضيئة عن طفلة صينية تذهب في نزهة ليلية مع عائلتها للاحتفال بمهرجان منتصف الخريف،
يحتفلون معًا ببهجة وحب ودفء العائلة بقمر منتصف الخريف الذي يضيء السماء مع كعك القمر الحلو والشاي الدافئ والفوانيس المضيئة والأمنيات الجميلة التي أرسلوها سرًا للقمر، أتمنى أن تتحقق كل الأمنيات الجميلة🎐🌕✨️🧡
17 September 2024
يحتفلون معًا ببهجة وحب ودفء العائلة بقمر منتصف الخريف الذي يضيء السماء مع كعك القمر الحلو والشاي الدافئ والفوانيس المضيئة والأمنيات الجميلة التي أرسلوها سرًا للقمر، أتمنى أن تتحقق كل الأمنيات الجميلة🎐🌕✨️🧡
17 September 2024
November 13, 2014
Grace Lin starts the story off with a Chinese family preparing a picnic at night to honor the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Each person has their own special job to set up for the celebration. They set up glowing lanterns and tea. Then they all sit down to eat "mooncakes". After they eat each member of the family thanks the moon and wishes upon it. The last page shows how the whole town celebrates the moon festival. After the story, Lin goes in to more depth about the significance of the moon festival. It is the equivalent to America's Thanksgiving. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (normally September or October). It is one of the most important holidays in China.
I found this book very short and simple yet informational. I really enjoyed the illustrations. Lin draws the sky with swirls all over the page. My favorite page was the last page where you can see everyone set up for the moon festival on the mountain. The moon is so big and bright to contrast with the night sky. Covering the grass are families picnicking under the moon with glowing lanterns as decoration. The festival seems like a loving and magical night. I would love to experience it.
I found this book to be very culturally authentic. This book was very informative in design. The first page has vocabulary words with the matching pictures for reference. Inside has common Chinese terms to really inform the reader about the culture. The main character calls her mother Ma-Ma and her father Ba-Ba. At the end the author takes time to tell more about the moon festival.
I would use this book in a lesson about Chinese culture in my class. I would love to have my students create their own paper lanterns. Unfortunately we would not be able to let them go at night like at the moon festival. Since I cannot be with my students to set them off at night or even celebrate the moon festival, I would send a note home explaining the moon festival and suggest parents acknowledge and possibly participate in the holiday. Because of the fun illustrations, I would also have my class create a new book cover for Grace Lin. They would have to be sure to pay attention to the Chinese vocabulary on the inside and incorporate it on the outside.
Themes: Mid-autumn festival, moon, food, Chinese culture
I found this book very short and simple yet informational. I really enjoyed the illustrations. Lin draws the sky with swirls all over the page. My favorite page was the last page where you can see everyone set up for the moon festival on the mountain. The moon is so big and bright to contrast with the night sky. Covering the grass are families picnicking under the moon with glowing lanterns as decoration. The festival seems like a loving and magical night. I would love to experience it.
I found this book to be very culturally authentic. This book was very informative in design. The first page has vocabulary words with the matching pictures for reference. Inside has common Chinese terms to really inform the reader about the culture. The main character calls her mother Ma-Ma and her father Ba-Ba. At the end the author takes time to tell more about the moon festival.
I would use this book in a lesson about Chinese culture in my class. I would love to have my students create their own paper lanterns. Unfortunately we would not be able to let them go at night like at the moon festival. Since I cannot be with my students to set them off at night or even celebrate the moon festival, I would send a note home explaining the moon festival and suggest parents acknowledge and possibly participate in the holiday. Because of the fun illustrations, I would also have my class create a new book cover for Grace Lin. They would have to be sure to pay attention to the Chinese vocabulary on the inside and incorporate it on the outside.
Themes: Mid-autumn festival, moon, food, Chinese culture
September 16, 2021
For a book that expresses itself in only a single line of text per page, Thanking the Moon has a lot of quality story to tell. Much of it is told through illustrations that do wonders in setting the mood, and give us between-the-lines insight into the real importance behind the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. One doesn't have to believe in making supplication to the goddess of the moon to be able to appreciate the positive effect of setting aside a special day to remind us to give thanks for the blessings in our lives, and to not ever forget the good things we do have because we're so focused on what we're still hoping to gain.
The whole family gets into the act of celebrating on the night of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, setting up traditional decorations and putting out the food for the party. It's more than just a family event, though; it's a community-wide effort to promote an attitude of thankfulness and the unity that comes from many people all remembering their shared blessings together. I can't recall having ever even heard of the festival before reading this book, but Grace Lin's tender portrait of the holiday celebration provides me with ample reason to wish that I could take part in a Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, to experience that kind of closeness of community.
For readers who are interested in learning a bit more about the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, there's an author's note at the end of the book that gives a more in-depth explanation. In my mind, Grace Lin perfectly sums up the book and its message in the final line of this section, saying "The Mid-Autumn Festival remains a beloved celebration and, along with the Lunar New Year, is one of the most important holidays of the year. Just as the moon always returns to its fullness, the festival continues to reunite families and inspire peace and gratitude." All told, I would at least consider giving two and a half stars to Thanking the Moon, and I'd be quick to recommend it for anyone looking to find a picture book with some cultural flavor and a bit more depth of feeling than usual.
The whole family gets into the act of celebrating on the night of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, setting up traditional decorations and putting out the food for the party. It's more than just a family event, though; it's a community-wide effort to promote an attitude of thankfulness and the unity that comes from many people all remembering their shared blessings together. I can't recall having ever even heard of the festival before reading this book, but Grace Lin's tender portrait of the holiday celebration provides me with ample reason to wish that I could take part in a Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, to experience that kind of closeness of community.
For readers who are interested in learning a bit more about the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, there's an author's note at the end of the book that gives a more in-depth explanation. In my mind, Grace Lin perfectly sums up the book and its message in the final line of this section, saying "The Mid-Autumn Festival remains a beloved celebration and, along with the Lunar New Year, is one of the most important holidays of the year. Just as the moon always returns to its fullness, the festival continues to reunite families and inspire peace and gratitude." All told, I would at least consider giving two and a half stars to Thanking the Moon, and I'd be quick to recommend it for anyone looking to find a picture book with some cultural flavor and a bit more depth of feeling than usual.
December 1, 2015
An Asian-American girl along with her parents and two sisters are getting things together to celebrate the mid-autumn moon festival that evening. The girl talks about different jobs each family has to set up for their celebration filled with Asian influenced foods and decorations such as lanterns and moon cakes. She talks about spending time with her family and enjoying celebrating the harvest moon with her family. The back two pages of the book goes into more detail about the Moon Festival. The Asian culture celebrates the moon and thanks it for their harvest it will bring in. The culture celebrates the night around Thanksgiving and children are allowed to stay up during the night to take part in the festivities. Some towns will have parades or others will celebrate with close family members.
I really enjoyed this book because I never knew the Asian culture thanks the moon for its bringing of harvest. The traditional celebration seems fun to do for little children because they are able to stay up way past bed time: what kid would not want to do that? I really like the colors of the pictures; the background was a dark blue representing the night and the people were dressed in lighter colors but in t-shirts and jeans-nothing uncommon for Americans. I would recommend this book to a kindergartener wanting to learn about different cultures or beginning to read. Each page only had one sentence which seems great to start off reading for young children and with the colorful pages it could help them keep focused.
I really enjoyed this book because I never knew the Asian culture thanks the moon for its bringing of harvest. The traditional celebration seems fun to do for little children because they are able to stay up way past bed time: what kid would not want to do that? I really like the colors of the pictures; the background was a dark blue representing the night and the people were dressed in lighter colors but in t-shirts and jeans-nothing uncommon for Americans. I would recommend this book to a kindergartener wanting to learn about different cultures or beginning to read. Each page only had one sentence which seems great to start off reading for young children and with the colorful pages it could help them keep focused.
March 16, 2021
Grace Lin's swirling nighttime background darkens as the moon rises and provides great contrast to the bright outfits and lanterns worn by the family celebrating. The family unpacks their car for a nighttime picnic featuring traditional food and items like mooncakes, pomelo, and lanterns. The illustrations feature other traditional Chinese imagery associated with the holiday like rabbits and a small table cloth with a picture of Chang'O, the moon goddess. The family eats their food and makes wishes to the moon. The afterword explains the holiday and why these items are used for this celebration. Usually it is because the object is round, but some are tied to Chinese folklore like rabbits and horses. The end papers list other items that can be seen in the background but aren't addressed in the text, like Asian pears and smiling steamed cakes.
This picture book is a great introduction to the Mid-Autumn Moon festival for children unfamiliar with the holiday, and would be a great book for early elementary classes learning about different cultures and how Americans practice customs from all over the world.
This picture book is a great introduction to the Mid-Autumn Moon festival for children unfamiliar with the holiday, and would be a great book for early elementary classes learning about different cultures and how Americans practice customs from all over the world.
September 27, 2019
This text is about a Chinese-American family celebrating the mid-autumn moon festival. Every single family member is pinching in as they prepare the picnic with mooncakes, pomelos, cups of tea, and lanterns. After having their meal, everyone sends thanks and a wish to the moon.
Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, recognized by the School Library Journal, can be used for early elementary classes with engaging simple text and colorful illustration that depicts the holiday. Before conducting either a read aloud or a guided reading, a teacher could use this text by asking the students on what other holidays that students want to learn or wonder what a specific holiday is. By reading this text, the students are able to learn about a different holiday/culture that is totally different from what they celebrate and in this case Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese holiday. I recommend this text for everyone who are motivated to learn and find it on what’s this new holiday all about.
Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, recognized by the School Library Journal, can be used for early elementary classes with engaging simple text and colorful illustration that depicts the holiday. Before conducting either a read aloud or a guided reading, a teacher could use this text by asking the students on what other holidays that students want to learn or wonder what a specific holiday is. By reading this text, the students are able to learn about a different holiday/culture that is totally different from what they celebrate and in this case Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese holiday. I recommend this text for everyone who are motivated to learn and find it on what’s this new holiday all about.
September 20, 2015
A beautiful book, literally and figuratively. I appreciated how it conveys information about the moon festival in a simple, storybook fashion; the reader is able to learn a lot about the traditions without being hammered over the head by it. At the same time, there are more details at the end for those wanting to look them up.
The illustrations are lovely (literally beautiful). They too contain a great deal of information allowing the text to be simple and supportive, again supporting learning about the traditions without being pedantic.
Finally, I really enjoyed that the young girl, her sisters, and her parents each had 'jobs' and worked together to enact their traditions.
The illustrations are lovely (literally beautiful). They too contain a great deal of information allowing the text to be simple and supportive, again supporting learning about the traditions without being pedantic.
Finally, I really enjoyed that the young girl, her sisters, and her parents each had 'jobs' and worked together to enact their traditions.
December 2, 2011
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the county I live in is roughly one third Asian. In that third, roughly of that is Chinese. Among our friends, there are many blended Chinese-American families like the one in Thanking the Moon by Grace Lin.
This book is about the preparations leading up to Mid-Autumn Moon festival, and then the festival itself. Each family member has a job to do to get ready. There are things to collect and prepare: pomelos, tea, mooncakes and paper lanterns.
Grace Lin uses patterns in her colorful artwork that mimic the beautiful patterns you'd find in Chinese textiles. But the families that go to celebrate the festival at the park show the wide diversity of the Chinese-American families.
This book is about the preparations leading up to Mid-Autumn Moon festival, and then the festival itself. Each family member has a job to do to get ready. There are things to collect and prepare: pomelos, tea, mooncakes and paper lanterns.
Grace Lin uses patterns in her colorful artwork that mimic the beautiful patterns you'd find in Chinese textiles. But the families that go to celebrate the festival at the park show the wide diversity of the Chinese-American families.
April 30, 2017
The simple text in this story describes how a Chinese family celebrates the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Sounds like fun to me! Grace Lin's colorful illustrations of the food made my mouth water, especially the moon cakes, which a friend of mine used to send me from New Jersey--haven't had any that good since. I've never had a pomelo either, which also looked yummy. Are they sold in the U.S.? The whole idea of an evening picnic under the full moon, with paper lanterns hanging about, appeals to me. At the end of the book Lin supplies further details of the origins and traditions of the moon festival. Perhaps I will have my own in my back yard this fall... Highly recommended!
December 28, 2016
Found this book on the shelf at the library. Knowing that Grace Lin will be attending the Tucson Festival of Books, I picked it up.
I love how she illustrated the night sky in blue with light gray swirls everywhere. The Chinese family walks out into the field to celebrate the Moon Festival with their nighttime picnic and lanterns.
This story beautifully illustrates all of the steps this family takes to honor the moon who watches over everyone, and send her their secret wishes.
At the end of the story, there's a short summary of the history of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Wonderful book to read with children to help them appreciate diverse customs.
I love how she illustrated the night sky in blue with light gray swirls everywhere. The Chinese family walks out into the field to celebrate the Moon Festival with their nighttime picnic and lanterns.
This story beautifully illustrates all of the steps this family takes to honor the moon who watches over everyone, and send her their secret wishes.
At the end of the story, there's a short summary of the history of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Wonderful book to read with children to help them appreciate diverse customs.
November 6, 2018
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival or Moon Festival is slightly less well known in the U.S. than the Lunar Chinese New Year, but this picture book does a nice job of showing pictures of and describing in simple language the September/October harvest festival. A two page end-section in more adult language provides slightly more information apart from the main children's stories. I've seen some of Grace Lin's other storybooks and find her art style very approachable and kid-friendly. I especially liked the scenes of pomelos with the children playing with the peels and lanterns of different colors and designs.
October 12, 2010
I enjoy Grace Lin's books and this title is no exception. Beautifully illustrated with simple text, this book shows the steps taken by a family celebrating the mid-autumn moon festival. Small criticism: in the story there is no explanation about the holiday...however, the last 2 pages of the book have a detailed explanation for adult readers. It may have been nice to have one line within the short and simple text about the purpose incorporated in the story.
November 23, 2016
Watch a modern Chinese family celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. The back of the book explains the traditions and symbolism of the food.
I've lived in Asia for over a decade but never had the Lunar Festival explained from a Chinese perspective (I know more about the Korean traditions...which are somewhat different). It helps me better understand the moon cakes that appear. And Grace Lin's illustrations are delightful.
I've lived in Asia for over a decade but never had the Lunar Festival explained from a Chinese perspective (I know more about the Korean traditions...which are somewhat different). It helps me better understand the moon cakes that appear. And Grace Lin's illustrations are delightful.
October 1, 2011
This was our second book about the Mid-Autumn Festival. It was a great compliment to Lin Yi's Lantern. It has a simpler story, showing a family celebrating with traditional foods and activities at an evening picnic. The illustrations are colorful and clear, and give a nice sense of participating in the festival.
January 12, 2012
A compact story describing the events and reasons for the Chinese Moon Festival. Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival it happens during September or October. It is a time to give thanks for a good year and to celebrate with family.
Author's note gives us a more detailed description of the festival.
Author's note gives us a more detailed description of the festival.
February 12, 2013
This picture book is a wonderful depiction of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. The bright colors against the navy blue sky make the illustrations cheerful, and the text is simple but lyrical. The afterword which describes the festival is great context for the text, and overall is a lovely book.
October 4, 2020
There are not a lot of children's books (at least that I found) that help explain the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival holiday. This very short picture book, shows some of the customs and traditions. However, my favorite part of the book was the author's note in the back that did truly offer background and context into this very important and traditional holiday in the Chinese culture.
October 19, 2010
Lovely simple story about celebrating the Moon Festival. Makes me want to celebrate it too! Plus it would be a lovely family storytime - I've done Tet before, which is the same just Vietnamese. Could easily fill out the other books with moon stories.
November 18, 2010
Another book in Lin's well done series about a Chinese-American family celebrating their traditions, this time the Mid-Autumn Festival. Fun even if you didn't know what the holiday was about--and you can read an explanation in an afterward.
August 16, 2011
Much the same as her Dim Sum for Everyone! in structure, this book describes the preparation and celebration of the Moon Festival. At the end is a two-page informational text on the history of the holiday.
November 22, 2014
Each member of a loving family contribute to the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.
Informative text at the end gives more details and is an interesting read for the older child or adult.
Informative text at the end gives more details and is an interesting read for the older child or adult.
November 15, 2020
In this simple introduction to the Moon Festival, we watch a family as it preares and enjoyed a nighttime picnic in celebration of family and the harvest. Back story fills in the details that the text leaves out, making this a story for a variety of ages.
January 18, 2019
The art isn't great but it's important for kids to learn about other cultures
April 17, 2021
A charming and visually pleasing way to introduce a younger audience to a cultural tradition different from their own. And turn them into foodies, cause boy do I want to eat a mooncake now...
December 3, 2020
This story followed a family as they celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. I loved how the author used Chinese honorifics when talking about family members but used art to show who was being addressed so that readers who may not know Chinese are able to follow along.
The book was a wonderful introduction to those who may not know about this festival and how people celebrate, from eating mooncakes to sending a wish to the moon goddess. The author also provided drawings of other ways to celebrate the festival in the back of her book.
I love the simplicity of the book, the story is meaningful in the topic that it is sharing but it is easy for readers of any age to understand what is being celebrated and how important it is culturally.
The book was a wonderful introduction to those who may not know about this festival and how people celebrate, from eating mooncakes to sending a wish to the moon goddess. The author also provided drawings of other ways to celebrate the festival in the back of her book.
I love the simplicity of the book, the story is meaningful in the topic that it is sharing but it is easy for readers of any age to understand what is being celebrated and how important it is culturally.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews