Ching Yeung Russell

Based upon her memories of her childhood growing up in China, Chinese-American children's author Ching Yeung Russell spins the story of the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival in this gentle and engaging picture-book. Narrated by a young girl who is living with her grandmother, while her parents are far away, it follows the way in which her family, including her many cousins, mark the occasion. The setting up of a table with special foods, the asking of a blessing from the moon maiden Chang O, the eating of the special mooncakes, the procession with lanterns - these are all described, as is the narrator's wish that Chang O bring home her parents...

Apparently the issue of child/parent separation is one that Russell has explored elsewhere, in her novels. For my part, I was reminded while reading Moon Festival of Yu Li-Qiong's A New Year's Reunion, another picture-book chronicling the experiences of a Chinese child whose parents are away working. I enjoyed the narrative here, and the almost nostalgic feeling created by the story. The accompanying oil painting illustrations from Christopher Zhong-Yuan Zhang, who also illustrated Russell's First Apple, had a lovely, luminous quality that was very appealing. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Mid-Autumn Moon Festival stories, or for stories about growing up in China.… (altro)

I enjoyed Tofu Quilt because it was story written entirely with poems. It makes the book easier to read and because it’s a poem, it has a sort of a natural rhythm which makes it fun to read as well. Furthermore, poems lend themselves to more descriptive language. For example, when the writer tastes coffee for the first time, she describes it was “the flavor of dark-burned rice on the bottom of the wok.” And describes her dad’s quilt pieces as “big as my palm and as square as chunks of tofu.” I also really enjoyed how the book pushes readers to think about the similarities and differences in culture. For example, in Chines culture women being educated past a certain age is considered ridiculous and a waste of money.… (altro)

I didn't anticipate enjoying this book as much as I did. It was very good. I really would love to try some of the foods that were mentioned in this book, and I really felt like I could identify with the main character through her writing, even though there is very little comparable material for me. I understood her and that was just tremendous. The lyrical style was great too. It really reminded me of something that Sharon Creech or Karen Hesse might write. It's a short book, which would lend well to being read aloud, but it's powerful and revealing about a life that many American readers don't know enough about.… (altro)