Beneath the Same Round Moon: A Mooncake Festival Story

A Mooncake Festival story about a family celebrating a holiday together, even when miles apart

Pearl is eager to welcome loved ones to her house for the traditional Mooncake Festival dinner. But her family is spread far and wide, and this year they won't be able to travel to reunite over the special dinner. Her big sister is away at college, her dad is working as an airline pilot, and her grandfather, Yéye, has passed away. Will it still be a special day with only Pearl, her mother, and her grandma?

When NǎiNai arrives with baskets of ingredients, the three generations work diligently to cook dinner, bake mooncakes, and make lanterns, with each element reminding Pearl of the people she misses. On the night of the Mooncake Festival, they need to be creative in how they celebrate as a family, showing Pearl that no matter where they are, her family is still connected beneath the same round moon.

A relatable story of celebrating virtually for holidays when families are separated by distance, and a reminder that our holiday traditions connect us even when we're not together in the same place. This Mid-Autumn Festival story includes lovely details about the traditions around this holiday, including backmatter with a mooncake recipe and instructions for making a paper lantern.

Jasmine Fang is a Taiwanese American author whose books celebrate the beauty and messiness of everyday life. Her stories often draw from her 1.5-generation immigrant experience, her love of the outdoors and tennis, and her belief in the strength of the human spirit. Fang has worked in international affairs, higher education, and leadership development, bringing a global perspective to her storytelling. She holds a BA from UC Irvine and an MBA from Georgetown University. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and children.

Rồng Phạm and Vinh Nguyễn are an illustrator duo from Saigon, Vietnam. With years of experience in publishing and advertising, they focus on children's picture books and cover art. Their work blends digital and mixed-media techniques, often inspired by nature, family, and the connections that shape everyday life.