What are some round, square, or rectangular things you see in your house or neighborhood?

This is a discussion prompt for Round Is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

What are some of your favorite foods that are mentioned in the book?

This is a discussion prompt for Round Is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

How does the little girl in the story show she is curious?

This is a discussion prompt for Round Is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

What other shapes do you know, and where do you see them?

This is a discussion prompt for Round Is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

How does this book make you feel about your own neighborhood and culture?

This is a discussion prompt for Round Is a Mooncake by Roseanne Thong. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

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Round Is a Mooncake

Name: Round Is a Mooncake
ISBN: 9780811826761

by Roseanne Thong

Join a curious little girl as she explores her urban neighborhood, finding circles, squares, and rectangles in everything from mooncakes to street signs. This delightful rhyming book beautifully weave

About This Book

"Round is a Mooncake" is a beautifully illustrated and gently rhyming picture book that introduces young readers to basic geometric shapes through the eyes of a curious Chinese American girl. As she navigates her bustling urban neighborhood and home, she points out objects that are round, square, and rectangular, often connecting them to her cultural heritage, like a round mooncake or a square dim sum box. This book is perfect for children aged 4-8, offering a warm and engaging way to learn about shapes while also providing valuable cultural representation and a sense of community. It's a wonderful read-aloud that sparks observation and conversation.

As a little girl discovers things round, square, and rectangular in her urban neighborhood, she is reminded of her Chinese American culture.

Concepts

Curiosity & Wonder Love & Family Empathy & Kindness Joy & Gratitude Cultural Identity

Wonderlit Review

"Round is a Mooncake" is a delightful and thoughtfully crafted picture book that seamlessly blends a concept lesson with cultural celebration. The story follows a young Chinese American girl as she explores her urban environment, identifying round, square, and rectangular objects. What sets this book apart is its organic integration of Chinese American cultural elements; a round mooncake, square dim sum, and rectangular Chinese characters are not just examples of shapes, but also authentic pieces of her lived experience. The rhyming text is gentle and rhythmic, making it an excellent read-aloud choice. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging, drawing young readers into the girl's world of discovery. The book handles its cultural aspect with grace, normalizing and celebrating the protagonist's heritage without making it feel didactic. The emotional arc is one of gentle discovery and quiet joy, fostering a sense of wonder about the everyday world. This book is specifically for children aged 4-8 who are beginning to learn about shapes, or for any child who would benefit from seeing diverse cultural representation in their stories. A parent might reach for this book when their child is showing an interest in shapes, or when they want to introduce a book that reflects or explores Chinese American culture in a natural, engaging way. Parents should preview the book for its simple, repetitive structure and the way it introduces cultural items, which can be a great starting point for conversations about different foods, traditions, and languages. Younger children (4-6) will enjoy the rhyming and the visual hunt for shapes, while slightly older children (7-8) might appreciate the cultural details more deeply and even try to identify shapes on their own. For the upper end of the suggested age range (9-11), it might serve as a quick, comforting read or a springboard for discussions about cultural identity and observation. Its unique blend of concept learning and cultural immersion makes it stand out from typical shape books.