Marvelous Moon Stories

Come along on a whirlwind tour of the world to discover an amazing collection of full moon celebrations, beliefs, customs, and facts.

With the help of a moonlit night, a little girl's fantasy becomes reality. In a wink the moon grants her wish for a day that never ends. She plays until exhausted and wishes for night to come so she can rest. Bilingual full text in English and Spanish.

Look at the moon and what do you see? Could it be Fox? Fox convinced Mole to accompany him to the moon by suggesting that huge worms were there. Mole comes back down to Earth, but Fox may still be up there. This myth from Peru is told in both English and Spanish and is illustrated with shining collages inspired by Peruvian artwork and artifacts.

A girl discovers things that are round, square, and rectangular in her urban neighborhood. A gently rhyming text and crisply lined illustrations reveal many things that are universally recognizable as well as others that come from the child's Chinese background.

As they did for the Lunar New Year, each family member contributes to the preparations for the mid-autumn moon festival. Their special picnic includes mooncakes and tea as well as affection. An author's note not only informs but may inspire other celebrations.

In this retelling of a story included in Amy Tan's novel The Joy Luck Club, Nai-nai tells her granddaughters the story of her outing, as a seven-year-old girl in China, to see the Moon Lady and be granted a secret wish.

With the tempo and rhythm of a Mexican fiesta, this bouncy Spanish rendition re-creates the folklore and traditions of the people of Oaxaca, Mexico, as the jealous moon decides to have her own fiesta where people can sing, eat, parade, and dance. The original stylized mixed-media paintings depicting native Oaxacan scenery and customs and the wonderful idea of the moon getting away with her "naughty" behavior add to the gusto and authenticity of this nocturnal Mexican fiesta. Also available in Spanish.

To many Native Americans, the 13 cycles of the moon represent the changing seasons and the passage of time. Each moon has its own special name that, while varying among the tribal nations, is consistent with the legend that the 13 scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to these moons. The authors present 13 poems that take readers through the year, from the "Moon of Popping Trees" — when the "cottonwoods crack with frost" — to the "Big Moon" of the Abenakis. — Publishers Weekly

Product Description: One night Rosalinda is awakened by a noise in the family's garden. She is astonished to see a man creeping away with a sack of fruit from her beloved lemon tree. Rosalinda seeks out La Anciana for advice. The wise old woman offers an inventive way to help the tree and the man driven to steal her lemons. Set in the Mexican countryside, this charming story explores how it feels to get gifts — and to give them.

Product Description: On summer nights, Marisol helps out in Papi's music store. As customers come and go, they share memories of the Latin music and dance of their various homelands, expressed in a dazzling array of poetry. The diversity of Latin American music is brought to life in poems that swivel, sway, and sizzle with the rhythms of merengüe, vallenatos, salsa, and samba. Back matter includes a map, author's note, and further information about the musical heritage of Latin America.

During Ramadan, this loving family prays and fasts together. They also stop bad habits, give to the poor, hang bright lights, and visit friends — all under the Ramadan moon! Lush pastel illustrations fill the pages with soft moonlight, the warmth of friends and family, and beautiful designs at the Mosque. Children will enjoy repeating the lyrical refrain that appears throughout the story. Author's note included.

In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.