Mooncakes. Loretta Seto. Illustrated by Renné Benoit. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2013. 32 pp., hardcover & pdf, $19.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-4598-0107-1 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-4598-018-0 (pdf). Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 3-7. Review by Linda Ludke. ***½ /4 Reviewed from f&g’s.

excerpt:

In our backyard, we sit together in a big chair. We watch small, dusty clouds brush the moon’s face. The wind shakes the leaves. Husshh, husshh. Baba pulls the blanket close.

Mama and Baba tell me about Change- E, the woman who lives on the moon.

Long ago, the world had ten suns in the sky, and it became too hot and dry.

The Jade Emperor asked his most skilled archer, Hou-Yi, to help.

Hou-Yi aimed high and far. He shot down one of the suns, and the world became safe again.

As a reward, Hou-Yi wanted the elixir of eternal life. But Hou-Yi was not a good man. He was cruel and wanted to live forever so that he could rule the people of China.

A young girl celebrates the Chinese Moon festival with her family in this poetic picture book. The holiday evening contains many special elements, from the thrill of being allowed to stay up late, to lighting paper lanterns in the backyard. The child and her parents eat moon cakes and sip tea. As they gaze into the autumn night sky, Mama and Baba share three moon-related Chinese legends. The first story-within-the-story centers on Change-E, a woman whose bravery against evil was repaid by the Jade Emperor who granted her eternal life on the moon. Wu-Gang is another archetypical character who also lives on the moon. In this tale, the lazy woodcutter is doomed to forever chop down a perpetually regenerating tree. The final story introduces the Jade Rabbit, a selfless animal who lives on the moon with three moon magicians and “brings food to those on earth who need it”.

     The ancient stories feature rich vocabulary and intriguing images. Decorated with a scroll design and appearing in italics, the three tales also look ornate on the pages of the book. The young girl’s responses to the stories are reflective and full of wonder: “I look for Chang-E and the Jade Palace on the moon, but I don’t see them. ‘Maybe they are on the other side,’ I say.”

     Renné Benoit’s watercolour, coloured pencil and gouache illustrations present a warm, loving family sharing traditions. There are many circular shapes, including the lanterns, cakes, and the family cuddled together beneath a blanket. The teapot and cups show details from Baba’s stories.

     An author’s note explains when the Chinese Moon Festival is celebrated annually and describes it as a “time for families to come together and give thanks for the harvest and family unity”. This is a wonderful book to introduce cultures and holidays.

Highly Recommended.

Linda Ludke is a librarian in London, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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