Thanks to for being the first book creator to be interviewed on my new kidlit blog, Q&A With Children's Picture Book Creators!
Book title: Beneath The Same Round Moon: A Mooncake Festival Story
Author: Jasmine Fang aka
Illustrators: Rồng Phạm & Vinh Nguyễn
Publisher: Beaming Books aka
Publication date: 9/1/2026
Link to publisher book page: https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9798889837183/Beneath-the-Same-Round-Moon
Synopsis: A Mooncake Festival story about a family celebrating a holiday together, even when miles apart.
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.
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. This story includes backmatter with a mooncake recipe and instructions for making a paper lantern.
Thanks to author Jasmine Fang (she/her) for answering a few questions about BENEATH THE SAME ROUND MOON: A MOONCAKE FESTIVAL STORY, a book written by Jasmine and illustrated by Rong Pham and Vinh Nguyen. Jasmine is also the author of the forthcoming OUR CHINATOWN MARKET(Penguin Viking, Spring 2028). A former government and higher education professional, she draws on a decade of work and travel across 30+ countries, and a lifelong love of story, to write books rooted in heart and wonder. When she’s not writing, Jasmine works at a public library and volunteers teaching social-emotional learning through stories. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and children. Find her at jasmineifang.com or Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Goodreads.
Questions:
Q. What was one of your favorite parts about writing this book?
My favorite part was how naturally the story came. It was inspired by a Mid-Autumn Festival evening during the pandemic, when I was pregnant with my first child and video chatting with family around the world, remembering how we’d celebrated in years past. I had a rough draft within an hour and a fuller draft in two days. It took a few rounds of revision to get the book where it is now, but that spark was a rare gift, and I’ll always remember it.
Q. Did you have any interactions with the illustrators during the process?
Not directly. As is common in picture books, the author and illustrator work separately, with the editor and agents in between. When I first saw the sketches, I was blown away by the level of detail, and I especially loved the images within the lanterns! Rong and Vinh are incredibly talented.
Q. What do you hope young readers will take away from your book?
I hope young readers come away feeling close to the people they love, even when they're far away. I also hope they get their hands busy- the back of the book has a lantern craft and a kid-friendly mooncake recipe, so families can celebrate together wherever they are.
Q. What advice do you have for young writers and/or illustrators?
Write what matters to you, in whatever form it takes. As a kid, I journaled in my tennis diary, wrote letters to friends, jotted down jokes, and made up poems.
Earlier this month, my kindergartner announced he wanted to make his own book, so I taped some fall-colored pages together. He made a title page, invented a character, and drew out the plot, all on his own. (I helped with spelling.) Within a half hour, a story was born.
And find your community. I’m so grateful for a handful of fellow creators I can text, call, or meet up with on short notice to share the joys and struggles of publishing.
Q. How do you discover books to read?
For picture books, I browse the “new” shelf, since a cover or a first spread can win me over. I also follow authors and illustrators I admire, and I pay attention to what my kids gravitate toward.
For novels, I look to the bestseller lists and recommendations from friends, and I almost always read the flap copy and first page before investing. I already know which genres I prefer, and tend to stay within them.
Since I started working at a library this year, I’ve been chatting with patrons about their favorite reads, which has become a great source of ideas.
Q. What are you excited about these days?
I’m looking forward to more school visits and book fairs. I had 20+ events in my debut month, and meeting readers in person was a joy. One adult attendee even teared up when we chatted at a book signing. More author visit info is at jasmineifang.com.
I’m also excited for OUR CHINATOWN MARKET, my next picture book, about a girl who rallies her community to keep a market from closing.
Lastly, I love watching my kids grow and develop. My kindergartner is starting to read and make his own mini-books. Sharing stories together has been a daily highlight.
Q. What's your jam?(Literal jam, favorite tune, or current obsession—we want to know what’s spreading joy in your world!)
A current song on repeat is "Dao Xiang" (稻香 / Rice Fragrance) by Jay Chou (周杰倫). We've been teaching my kindergartener mandarin songs and we love singing along to this one. This song is about gratitude and resilience, and it encourages those facing hardships and stress to remember their roots.
Also see Resources For Children's Book Creators and Advice For Young Writers and Illustrators.
Find out more about Debbie Ridpath Ohi's other social blogs.