Our Favorite Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Picture Books
An RA Moon Festival & Mooncake Festival Book List
Celebrate and learn about the magical Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival with us!
Immerse yourself in tales of moonlit magic, family reunions, and ancient traditions as we present a collection of books that capture the spirit and wonder of this cherished cultural celebration. From heartwarming stories to insightful cultural explorations, these books will transport you to the heart of the Moon Festival and its timeless significance.
For more good books, search out free Literary Catalogue!
Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale by Brenda Williams; illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe
A gentle tale of family responsibility over personal desires. Follow a young boy who longs for a red rabbit lantern for the Moon Festival, but before he can buy one, he must fulfill his family's supply list. Will the temptation of his desire outweigh the duty of his responsibility?
Mr. Fong’s Toy Shop by Leo Politi
Through vibrant illustrations and a touching narrative, readers are transported to a bustling Chinatown, where Mr. Fong's toy shop becomes a gathering place for friends and neighbors.
Moon Festival by Ching Yeung Russell; illustrated by Christopher Zlong-Yuan Zhang
A beautiful poem that takes us through a family’s observances from morning to night on the day of the Moon Festival.
The Moon Festival: A Chinese Mid-Autumn Celebration by Arlen Chan; illustrated by Nicolas Debon
This meaty picture book is full of verbose Moon Festival related stories and legends as well as a look at customs and traditions different families observe.
The Moon Lady by Amy Tan; illustrated by Gretchen Schields
This verbose tale is stunningly illustrated and tells of a modern Moon Day celebration with a Grandmother’s recollection from her childhood of meeting the Moon Lady and her wish granting abilities.
Mooncakes by Loretta Seto; illustrated by Renné Benoit
This cozy lyrical story of a family snuggled up outside eating mooncakes and telling tales includes three short stories within it highlighting three elements of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz & The Children’s Museum, Boston; illustrated by Meilo So
If you’re looking for a book full of a year's worth of Chinese festivals with activities and short stories this is a beautifully illustrated choice. Quick reminder- fables, legends, and myths often include deaths including murders and suicides.
Shanghai Sukkah by Heidi Smith Hyde; illustrated by Jing Jing Tsong
This one caught me by surprise. It’s a historically accurate telling of the two intersecting holidays and takes place in the 1930s when many Jews relocated out of Europe to Shanghai ahead of World War II. Be sure not to skip the author’s note!
Thank You, Meiling by Linda Talley; illustrated by Itoko Maeno
Song Hai and his rude little duke, Meiling, go into town for Moon Festival preparations. As we follow along learning about the festival, the author gently emphasizes the power of saying "thank you" and how it can bring joy to both the giver and receiver.
To Share One Moon by Ruowen Wang, Wei Xu, and Xiaoyan Zheng
This book switches between two illustrators- one for the modern story and the other for the Moon Lady retelling within that story and those are visually stunning! This book is an artistic treasure.
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