Value Bookshop's Reading Notes

I haven’t thought about this book in a while until my daughter reminded me about it. We were talking about the upcoming Moon Cake Festival and she asked if this book was still around or already sold. To her delight, I said it is still with us. I’m surprised that she remembers it. It’s been a long time since I read it to her. So, what does that tell ya? It’s an unforgettable book I guess

The story is not about how the Moon Cake Festival came to be. But rather, a peek into a grandmother’s memory.

Here is what the story is about:
A grandmother (Ying-ying) has three grandchildren griping about being bored stucked indoors because of rain. One wished the rain would stop, another wished they could get wet and another wished they had something to do. She decides to tell them about a time when she told the Moon Lady about her secret wish. She was seven years old at that time and the family was celebrating the Moon Cake Festival. As the day progressed, she had put it in her mind several wishes she could make to the Moon Lady. She wished she didn’t have to wear the “hot” clothes her mother had made for that special day, she wished she could eat a rabbit moon cake by herself without having to share with her cousins, she wished to fly like a dragonfly and she also wished to be carefree like the boy on the raft next to her boat. During the course of the celebration, Ying-ying gets separated from her family. The only wish she has then is to be found. The story is very captivating with colourful descriptions that capture time and culture.

This book is memorable in many ways. First would be the beautiful and colorful illustrations that help the reader visualize and feel the excitement of the story.

Second would be the rich vocabulary that exemplifies the emotions and thoughts of the child so wonderfully. I’m sure my daughter could connect with Ying-ying’s feelings of boredom and “I-don’t-want-to-share” attitude.

The way we celebrate the Moon Cake Festival is different than what is related in the story. You could probably do a quick activity with your child listing down differences/similarities of how we celebrate it these days compared to Grandma Ying-ying’s days. Another followup discussion topic would be “what to do if your child got lost”.

As of today, The Moon Lady is available at Value Bookshop for RM20.00.
This book is suitable for fluent readers and for kids who can sit still for more than 10 minutes
If you have read this book, please share what you think of it.