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annalisenak97's review
5.0
Actually the cutest. I want a pair of Little Star's pajamas. An excellent and clever way to explain the phases of the moon!
hayleya94's review
5.0
"A Big Mooncake for Little Star" exemplified the folktale genre, particularly as a pourquoi tale. The story shows how Little Star couldn't resist nibbling each night at the large, round, yellow cake in the sky. The illustrations show the reader how the cake resembles the moon as it gradually wanes from full, to half moon, to crescent, to new moon phases. Though it is a modern tale without roots in Chinese mythology, it reflects the feeling and culture of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and explains "why" the moon changes shape over time.
I would use this story in primary grades to teach sequencing and retelling. Using printed versions of the illustrations, the students would practice retelling this simple story by ordering the illustrations as they follow the pattern of the waning moon phases. I would model the moon pattern during first read-alouds by tracking the illustrations in the order of the phases, right to left, top row to bottom, just as we read lines of text. By prompting the students to explain Little Star's thoughts as she continued to sneak the yummy cake, they would be able to provide a more detailed and developed retelling.
As an extension activity, I would introduce the science behind the moon phases using physical models and videos. Students would create a moon phase "chart" by nibbling at cookies (like Little Star nibbled at the mooncake) to create the shapes of the moon phases, then placing the cookie phases in sequence on a paper plate.
I would use this story in primary grades to teach sequencing and retelling. Using printed versions of the illustrations, the students would practice retelling this simple story by ordering the illustrations as they follow the pattern of the waning moon phases. I would model the moon pattern during first read-alouds by tracking the illustrations in the order of the phases, right to left, top row to bottom, just as we read lines of text. By prompting the students to explain Little Star's thoughts as she continued to sneak the yummy cake, they would be able to provide a more detailed and developed retelling.
As an extension activity, I would introduce the science behind the moon phases using physical models and videos. Students would create a moon phase "chart" by nibbling at cookies (like Little Star nibbled at the mooncake) to create the shapes of the moon phases, then placing the cookie phases in sequence on a paper plate.
mamabearian's review
5.0
Little Star helps her mama make a big mooncake, and then her mama lays it in the night sky to cool. She isn't supposed to taste it yet, but that mooncake is hard to resist. Surely Mama won't notice if she only takes a nibble! Little Star takes nibbles from the mooncake night after night until there isn't anything left. Not to worry, though, Mama and Little Star will just make another. This is a sweet origin story to the phases of the moon.
fleurdujour's review
4.0
Cute, and seems like it will be a great storytime book! I was definitely ready for my lunch by the end. I really liked the choice that was made to have the illustrations so minimal- it really gave the book a folktale-esque feel.
acourtofreading's review
5.0
This is just a beautifully illustrated adorable story about the phases of the moon. I think everyone can related to Little Star's behavior.
teganbeesebooks's review
5.0
Beautiful story about the phases of the moon. I loved the illustrations.
beths0103's review
5.0
Beautiful story and illustrations that celebrates the Asian Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.