Ling Cho and His Three Friends

This is a book to be read before or the night of the Mid Moon or Moon festival for any child with Chinese heritage. When most books about the Mid Moon festival speak of the Moon Maiden and her rabbit, this book is different because it focuses on the farmers, their harvest and the how everyone gathers to celebrate their harvest on the night of the moon festival. This is a book about 4 farming friends who all gather together to celebrate the Mid-Moon Festival. Ling Cho's farm always produces much more crops than his friends and he knows if he gives them money, none of his friends would take the money because of their pride. One year, Ling Cho has a bumper crop and decides to ask his friends to do him a favor by each taking an ox-drawn wagon full of grain to their province to sell. With the idea that when they come back to celebrate the next years Mid Moon Festival they would return a portion of money back to Ling Cho. When the next moon festival arrives so to does Ling Cho's friends, each with no money to give to Ling Cho and stories of why they have no money to give him. I will stop here so not to spoil the ending which has a wonderful ending. Like one of the other reviewers I do believe that this book would be better for older children, maybe 2nd or 3rd graders to get the " so called " moral of the story. The drawings are really nice and this is a nice book to have to read before or during the Moon Festival. a very nice addition to anyone's home library.

I love this book. My children love reading this book and my grandchildren love having this book read to them. The sounds of the words are musical, the story is beautiful and it teaches important lessons about friendship and honesty. The illustrations are lovely. I give this book as a baby gift and as birthday presents to my 50 year old friends as well.