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Mooncakes

by Loretta Seto; Renné Benoit, illus

Vancouver screenwriter and playwright Loretta Seto’s debut picture book is a lovely, touching story that functions well as both entertainment and an introduction to a snippet of Chinese culture.

A young girl is preparing to celebrate the Moon Festival with her parents. Her subtle excitement bubbles up as she notes that it is a special night and she will be allowed to stay up late. In describing the mooncakes she will get to eat (“They are round like the moon….  They make a circle for my family”), she conveys the symbolism of the treats: family unity and thanks (originally for the harvest). 

Outside, the family hangs paper lanterns from a tree, then snuggles together in a big chair to share their mooncakes and sip tea. As they gaze up at the full moon, the parents tell their little girl traditional tales about Chang-E, the moon goddess; Wu-Gang, the woodcutter doomed to an eternity of trying to cut down a cassia tree on the moon; and the rabbit who offered himself as nourishment to three moon magicians and was rewarded for his selflessness with immortality.

Seto seamlessly blends the contemporary storyline with the traditional narratives. After each story, the girl’s comments draw loving responses from her parents – a tweaked nose, a cuddle, a cheek pressed close – further emphasizing the themes of togetherness and the bond between family.

Veteran illustrator Renné Benoit’s moody palette of muted greys, blues, greens, and oranges evokes the nighttime setting, giving way to unexpected pops of brighter colour when the narrative switches to the folktales. The only weakness is the lack of facial variation among Benoit’s characters. If readers can see past this flaw, which mars an otherwise delightful book, they will be rewarded with a treat as sweet as the titular pastry.

 

Reviewer: Dory Cerny

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

DETAILS

Price: $19.95

Page Count: 32 pp

Format: Cloth

ISBN: 978-1-45980-107-3

Released: April

Issue Date: 2013-4

Categories: Picture Books

Age Range: 4-8

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