A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Have you ever looked into the autumn sky and observed the moon? In this story, Little Star and her Mama bake a big, round, wonderful mooncake together, and place it in the sky. As the mooncake rises and Little Star lies awake in her cozy bed, she can’t resist the temptation to tiptoe closer and take a little nibble. Her continued nighttime visits produce a trail of crumbs that engage the reader and beautifully illustrate the different phases of the moon. Little Star’s quiet adventure will leave readers wishing for a mooncake of their very own.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Adults can set the stage for some magical conversations by connecting this story to children’s experiences. Prior to reading together, adults can talk to children about the different phases of the moon. After reading, children might enjoy extending the story by drawing pictures of the different phases they noticed in the story. Adults can ask children if they ever noticed the moon in any of these phases, and children will be excited to observe the moon at home and predict what it might look like next.
This story provides a wonderful opportunity for children to use props to tell a story. Using a round cookie, pancake, or even a mooncake of your own, children can nibble along with Little Star as she changes the shape of her mooncake in the story. Parents can connect the illustrations to real life by peeking outside at night and comparing the moon they see to the different phases of the moon in the book.
Lesson Plans
Mid-Autumn Festival
Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions to identify key details in nonfiction texts.
Moon Phases
Science exploration of moon phases through observation, art, and movement.
PEER Strategy
Use the PEER strategy to ask open-ended questions that boost children's comprehension.
Questions to Build Comprehension
Families explore who, what, where, when, why, and how questions to build children's comprehension.