What is the best way to engage children in exploring world culture? Stories and books! This list highlights 10 wonderful reads for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. It includes both stories of the festival itself and books about Chinese culture more broadly.
Many people wonder about the difference between the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Moon Festival. The term Mid-Autumn Festival, 中秋節 (traditional) | 中秋节 (simplified), is the direct English translation of its formal Chinese name and is commonly used across Chinese communities. The Moon Festival is another way to refer to this holiday, which falls on the full moon of the 15th day in the eighth month of the lunar calendar.
Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated not only in China but also in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Similar traditions are found in other parts of East Asia, such as 추석 (Chuseok) in Korea and 月見 (Tsukimi) in Japan. Sharing these celebrations with children through stories helps them connect with the richness of world culture.
The Mid-Autumn Festival A Poem in Chinese with pinyin, English, and audio support
Without further ado, here is the book list for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
A Moon Festival Poet:
I wrote this book for my children and my students. I use this for Readers’ Theater. Acting roles are one narrator, one rabbit, one Moon Fairy, and a family. You can expand the roles and add more festival food to your Chinese Readers’ Theater. Young kids are creative and fun. They can be spontaneous and add surprising effects to the performance. Print out the pages of the poem and post them on your Word Wall throughout the rehearsal. Kids can write and draw on the poem pages and even add their own creative ideas.
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
This is such a joyful, loving, and curious read that touches on one of the most important Chinese festivals, the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is not a typical book about the festival but it reveals this festival’s must-have food. It is revealed slowly and lovely. Ages: Preschool – Gr.3 What is Little Star looking forward to? Why does Little Star tiptoe to the Big Mooncake in the sky? What is the change of the moon? A delightful read with stunning illustrations by Grace Lin.
Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival:
We love author Grace Lin’s illustrations and stories. This book is no exception. Ages: Preschool-Grade 3. This is a book your children will enjoy at home or in class. There are word pages at the beginning and culture information pages at the end. This book can generate good discussions with young children.
Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese Festival)
This book follows young Mei as she celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with her family. Ages: Preschool – Grad 3. Children will learn about the amazing archer who shot down the nine suns in the sky and his wife, the moon fairy. There’s a moon cake-making recipe in the book. It makes a hands-on “read and make” session.
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a book that brings cultures, traditions, and history to life. Perfect for families and classrooms, it combines engaging illustrations with fun activities for an interactive holiday adventure.
Lin Yi’s Lantern
Children will enjoy shopping in the market with Lin Yi, who is shopping for his mother. Ages: Preschool-Grade 3. Guess what items are on Lin Yi’s shopping list? How is he going to be able to save money and buy a red rabbit lantern? How about bargaining in the market? Children will have fun reciting the shopping list and learning about the ingredients. Furthermore, they will enjoy the legend of the moon fairy and a hands-on activity, how to make a Chinese lantern. This is a story that can inspire culture comparison about markets around the world.
Grandma Panda’s China Story Book
Mingmei Yip, author and illustrator, grew up in Hong Kong, studied in Paris, and lives in New York City. Her stories for children are engaging, with an in-depth look at Chinese culture. Ages: Preschool – Gr. 5. Grandma Panda is a great teacher. She introduces Chinese culture to children. Grandma Panda teaches little pandas Chinese writing. She tells the story of Mulan, the Brave Woman Warrior. Granny also shares the story of Chinese food and the story of dotting the Dragon’s eyes. If you are into martial arts, there is The Little Kung Fu Warriors. Have you ever wondered about Chinese opera? The painted Faces of Chinese Opera guide you to understand the meaning of each color. It’s a great book to add to your home or class library.
All About China Stories, Songs, Crafts, and More for Kids
This is an excellent book by Allison “Aixin” Branscombe, who adopted two children from China. As she helped her children learn about their heritage, she took a keen interest in learning about China herself and played an active role to engage her kids in the Chinese language. This book includes a series of engaging topics about China with a long history, diverse traditions, and fascinating cultures.
All About China takes you on an exciting virtual tour of China through each page – starting from Fast Facts to Famous Historic Places, from 5,000 years of Culture and Inventions to Feng Shui Your Bedroom, from traditional games to Chinese Zodiac Animals, from Important Festivals and Holidays to Chinese New Year Crafts – make your own red envelope and new year lantern.
Furthermore, you will also learn some important words and phrases in Chinese, as well as fun songs. Need. more? You can try the traditional recipes included in the book and plan a Chinese culture day at home or at school to share the beauty of Chinese culture with family or friends. And there is more… This is truly a resourceful book on China for children, parents, and teachers.
Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes
There are five Chinese festivals in this book. They are the Lunar New Year/ Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, the Qing Ming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Ages: Grade 4 – 7. This is a book I have had for a long time, and I still refer to it. This title talks about the history of each culture’s celebration. There are hands-on activities such as craft projects and recipes. Last but not least, stories that enhance festivals.
Chinese Myths and Legends: The Monkey King and Other Adventures
This fabulous multicultural children’s book features major Chinese fairy tales and folk stories in depth. Ages: Children-adult. The stories in this book include Pan Gu 盤古|盘古, the storyline of the creators of the world. It has a story about Ho Yo 后羿, an important figure in the Mid-Autumn Festival. It also covers Journey to the West 西遊記|西游记， Monkey King. These stories will attract kids and adults for generations. This book highlights White Snake 白蛇傳|白蛇传, a folktale often told during the Dragon Boat Festival. This mesmerizing book, equipped with vibrant illustrations, will make a wonderful read for the whole family and for your class all year round.
Make sure to sign up for email updates for Chinese language and culture resources.
What is your first pick to read? Why?
Books for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival
Related articles and more teaching resources:
The Mid-Autumn Festival: Everything You Need To Know
Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival: The Folktale, A Story About The Moon and An Interview
Activity Resource For Home and In the Classroom:
-
Reading: The Mid-Autumn Festival A Poem (Simplified Chinese-Pinyin-English with AUDIO support)
-
Reading: The Mid-Autumn Festival A Poem (traditional Chinese-Pinyin-English with AUDIO support)
-
The Solar System Planets Basic Facts Posters (Simplified Chinese-Pinyin-English with AUDIO support)
-
The Solar System Planets Basic Facts Posters (traditional Chinese-Pinyin-English with AUDIO support)
-
Word Wall: The Solar System Planets Word Signs (traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese-pinyin-English with AUDIO support)
Children’s Books for Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival