Hello, my friends!
Welcome back to the first Perfect Picture Book Friday of the new school year!
I have SUCH a lovely book to share with you today! (And it’s hot of the press – only 3 days old!)
Not only I get to show you a beautiful book, but I have a giveaway winner to announce and a new generous giveaway from today’s author!
First, the lucky winner of Daryl-Lynn Gottier’s special giveaway of a signed copy of SET SAIL FOR SCHOOL (which comes out next week!!!) is. . .
Tara Cervan!!!
Congratulations, Tara, we are all jealous! 😊 Please email me at your earliest convenience so I can get your prize to you!
AND NOW. . .
Author Jasmine Fang is offering a Picture Book Manuscript Critique of under 600 words, non rhyming (with the caveat that due to book launch and life she is likely looking at Oct / Nov as the time she can get to it.) To put yourself in the running to be the randomly selected winner, please leave a comment on today’s post by Thursday September 10 at 3 PM Eastern.
Title: Beneath The Same Round Moon
Written By: Jasmine Fang
Illustrated By: Rồng Phạm & Vinh Nguyễn
ISBN#: 979-8889837183
Publisher: Beaming Books, September 1, 2026, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-7
Themes/Topics: cultural tradition (Mooncake Festival), family bonds, separation, change
text copyright Jasmine Fang 2026, illustration copyright Rồng Phạm & Vinh Nguyễn 2026, Beaming Books
Opening:
“On a glowing autumn night,
beneath a radiant round moon,
families celebrate the Mooncake Festival.”
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “Pearl is eager to welcome loved ones to her house for the traditional Mooncake Festival dinner. But her family is spread far and wide, and this year they won’t be able to travel to reunite over the special dinner. Her big sister is away at college, her dad is working as an airline pilot, and her grandfather, Yéye, has passed away. Will it still be a special day with only Pearl, her mother, and her grandma?
A relatable story of celebrating virtually for holidays when families are separated by distance, and a reminder that our holiday traditions connect us even when we’re not together in the same place.”
text copyright Jasmine Fang 2026, illustration copyright Rồng Phạm & Vinh Nguyễn 2026, Beaming Books
Links To Resources: Educator’s Guide – Page 4 Lantern Craft and page 5 Gratitude Mooncake
Why I Like This Book: This lovely book celebrates the Mooncake Festival, showing young readers what it’s all about within the context of the story, while simultaneously celebrating the importance and strength of family. Pearl loves the Mooncake Festival and looks forward to it every year, but this year, things have changed. Her Baba (dad) is far away for work, her big sister, JeiJie, is away at college, and her Yeye (grandpa) has passed away. Pearl wonders, will the Mooncake Festival be the same? Mama tells her that families change like autumn leaves – “they fly off, float on, or fade away.” Then Nainai (grandma) arrives and soon Nainai, Mama and Pearl are happily caught up in preparing the traditional foods for the festival – best of all, the mooncakes! – and making paper lanterns. They video call with Baba and Jeijei, fondly remember Yeye, and feel gratitude for the harvest and each other. By the end of the evening, Pearl understands that “like autumn leaves, families change – but they hold love close and grow again.” A sweet, reassuring, and comforting story full of warmth and the joy of celebrating a special holiday together that kids will want to come back to again and again.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊 And remember, your comment on today’s post by Thursday Sept. 10 at 3 PM Eastern puts you in the running to be the randomly selected winner of a Picture Book Manuscript Critique of under 600 words, non rhyming, from Jasmine Fang! (to be completed Oct./Nov)
JASMINE FANG is the author of Beneath the Same Round Moon: A Mooncake Festival Story (Beaming Books, September 2026) and the forthcoming Chinatown Market with Penguin Viking (Spring 2028). Jasmine spent a decade in international affairs, higher education, and leadership development- work that took her to over 30 countries and shaped a lasting belief: the best stories are the ones that connect us across cultures. She holds a BA from UC Irvine and an MBA from Georgetown University.
Jasmine lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, kids, and an ever-growing collection of tennis rackets. When Jasmine’s not writing, you’ll find her on a hiking trail or baking with her kids. Find her online at jasmineifang.com or on Instagram @jasmineifang.
What a lovely book about families and holidays. It’s beautifully illustrated, too.
It’s really gorgeous, and so nicely written! Really a lovely book!
Hi Susanna, I was hooked with the cover and your review makes me want to read. Can’t wait to see if my library has it.
It’s brand new, Maria, but I hope your library has it. It’s really a beautiful book, in text and illustrations!
What a heartwarming and beautiful story. Perfect for the holidays as a reminder thst even when families can not gather together they can still find a way to share memories and love.
So true, Jeanine. It’s a very warm, comforting, reassuring story that also teaches something about the Mooncake Festival, which lots of kids have probably not heard of before.
I can’t wait to read your story!!
It’s really beautiful, Kass! I think you’ll love it!
This looks so beautiful! Can’t wait to read it! Congratulations, Jasmine!
It really is beautiful, Angie! I think you will love it! 🙂
Congratulations, Jasmine!! Can’t wait to read your beautiful book!
I have had the pleasure of reading it, Shuba, and I can highly recommend it!
This looks like a lovely book. The art is beautiful. I will pass on the giveaway since I just won a book here. Thanks for the post.
It really is a lovely book, Rosi! And you are sweet to pass so someone else can have a chance. So generous of you!
This sounds like such a lovely story! Congratulations, Jasmine! I look forward toreading it!
I think you will love it, Susan! It’s beautiful!
Jasmine,
You have created a warm inviting remembrance and tenderly included multiple generations. Your descriptions and appeal to the senses adds to the beauty. Today’s young readers will especially relate because of your incorporation of modern technology in the story to bring Pearl’s family together.
Kudos to your efforts!
Judy
It is truly a beautiful book, Judy!
What beautiful way to highlight family traditions, love and the longing to be together. By the way, the illustrations are lovely!
It’s a gorgeous book, text and art, Tracy!
I like how sharing holiday traditions connects us to those we’re missing, but can also connect us to cultures that are no our own. A beautiful book!
So true, Jilanne! And yes, such a beautiful book!
moons! pretty cover
It’s beautiful , isn’t it?!
I requested materials for this book earlier this week. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! Thanks for sharing.
I think you’ll really like it, Kate!