MOONBEAMS, DUMPLINGS & DRAGON BOATS: A TREASURY OF CHINESE HOLIDAY TALES, ACTIVITIES & RECIPES by Nina Simonds and Leslie Swartz

1. Bibliographic data

Simonds, Nina, Leslie Swartz, and The Children's Museum, Boston. 2002. Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes. Ill. by Meilo. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc. 0-1520-1983-9.

2. Plot summary

Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes focuses on five major Chinese holidays: Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, the Cold Foods Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the mid-Autumn Moon Festival. A chapter is devoted to each holiday and begins with a page of background information. This is followed by a Chinese story related to the holiday. Each chapter ends with fun activities, Chinese recipes, and additional information about Chinese traditions.

3. Critical Analysis

Moonbeams is a delightful collection that is informative, interesting, funny, and easy to read.

The authors provide essential background information for each holiday so those unfamiliar with Chinese tradition can learn something new. Each holiday is also accompanied with a story which details how the holiday came about. For example, in the "Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival" chapter, we read "The Story of the Kitchen God" and learn why the kitchen god is overfed by Chinese people. Like the other tales in the book, this story is very readable and intriguing -- filled with dialogue and descriptions. The authors make the stories fun and readers can acquire a good deal of insight into Chinese culture and tradition.

Moonbeams activities bring each holiday to life. Each activity is explained, a material list is provided, and easy instructions are detailed. Those who complete these activities will feel as if they are participating in the traditions of Chinese culture as they create "New Year Prints," "Paper Lanterns," and "Dragon Boats." Activities such as these bring a country that is across the globe directly to your doorstep.

As the stories delight your ears and the activities busy your hands, Moonbeam's recipes make your taste buds dance. These simple recipes provide children and adults alike with authentic Chinese cuisine related to each holiday in Moonbeams. Dishes such as "Fresh Spring Rolls," "Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks," and "Sweet Rice Packages" are easy to make and fun to eat.

The artwork is perfectly suited for Moonbeams. The illustrations are bright and colorful and painted in watercolors. Artistic style which is indicative of Chinese art -- simple, clean lines -- grace every page, leaving readers to experience not only stories and activities, but the art of China as well. Chinese characters are present on nearly every page and lively characters and landscapes emit a spirit of joy.

Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes is a wonderful resource for adults and children who would like to learn something new about a culture together. This delightful collection of stories, recipes, and activities is family-friendly and a great way to learn about Chinese culture.

4. Review Excerpts

"In Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz and the Children's Museum, Boston, illus. by Meilo So, each of a quartet of holidays includes a brief background and introduces a bevy of crafts, recipes and legends. "The Story of the Kitchen God" kicks off the section on the Chinese New Year (and the reason behind serving the traditional tanggua, or candied melons); a recipe for Five-Treasure Moon Cakes stuffed with apricot preserves, pitted dates, sweet coconut and raisins helps youngsters celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Step-by-step illustrations aid in food preparation or crafts such as New Year Prints or Good Luck Characters in this elegantly designed volume." - Publishers Weekly

"Moonbeams is a useful, visually appealing addition to any holiday collection." - School Library Journal

5. Connections

Activity: Have students read select stories and recipes in Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes, and have them complete an activity. Afterwards, ask students what five American holidays they would focus on if they were compiling a U.S. version of Moonbeams. Ask them what recipes and activities they'd include.

Related Books:

Compestine, Ying Chang. 2006. D Is For Dragon Dance. Ill. by Yongsheng Xuan. New York: Holiday House. 0823418871 .

Holub, Joan. Dragon Dance: 2003. A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book. Ill. by Benrei Huang. New York: Puffin. 0142400009.

Katz, Katy. 2004. My First Chinese New Year. New York: Henry Holt & Co. 0805070761 .