There are several books about kindness, and The Best Kind of Mooncake by Pearl Auyeung includes that lesson, plus ones about family, friendship, community, and culture, too.
One morning in Hong Kong, a young girl and her siblings are promised a mooncake that was the best of the best. But they will have to wait, and the long day in her family’s spot in the market drags. Soon it is time to eat, but there is an odd thing that happens, making it so the young girl is unable to eat her cake. But instead, this event allows her to do something more important: show kindness to a stranger who has nothing to pay her back with. That is until many years later, she is repaid in ways she never could imagine.
Based loosely on actual events of Auyeung’s family, this family shows how kindness helps all who are involved, and how if one person reaches out to help, others might extend a helping hand as well.
The artwork is a combination of simple and sweet and perfectly detailed. Not overly colorful in the sense the colors jump off the page, but they are alive with all types of hues. The world of Hong Kong, and a possible little-known piece of their city, are perfectly introduced, shown, and enjoyed.
While all ages can be exposed, read, or listen to it, it is not necessary for the very young reader/listener as it is a bit on the longer side. And though the format might turn off the older readers, up to second or third grade could have it read to them in the classroom (or start reading solo).
