Elizabeth Quan,
Once Upon a Full Moon
Tundra Books, 2007

Rating: E*

This is a story about a full moon that follows a young girl from Toronto to China. It is the story of a very long journey that involves an inner journey about the realization that while we may move from one location to another we are always loved by family and friends. We are told that the journey, which takes place in the 1920s, is a true one. The excitement begins when the family prepares for their long trip. New clothes are bought, the luggage is packed and labelled and the children take great delight in climbing the pile of duffel bags and trunks. The label with the family initials on it makes it their mountain of luggage: " It made me feel as if I belonged to something, even when we were on the move and had no place to call home." The theme of an identity quest is an underlying preoccupation in the book which would certainly spark discussion about immigration in a classroom.

As the family travels using various modes of transportation including a train, ship, double-decker bus, cable car, rickshaw and by foot, the family maintains their strong emotional ties to each other and our lovely narrator maintains her keen sense of observation.

While the mantra "soon we will be at Grandmother’s house" keeps the journey focussed and steady the experiences of the young girl (the author herself) unfold innocently and intelligently. For instance, even in China feelings of not belonging emerge as people stare at the "foreigners from the land of the Golden Mountain", the short visit to Mr. Kwok’s makes all the children feel nervous, and the face of the man in the moon making a quick appearance all serve to embellish the adventure.

The journey is kept exciting and full of unexpected experiences; in this respect "the journey is the reward" (Chinese Proverb). Although the destination is not forgotten the process of getting there is appreciated and celebrated. When the family finally arrives at Grandmother’s house, she bends forward, "and with one sweeping motion of her long arms, squished all of us to her in a tangle of arms, legs, and bodies". The sheer love that grandmother feels emanates from the description of her.

The book is beautifully illustrated with art work by the author. Elizabeth Quan is a well-known artist whose art work in water colours beautifully illustrates the story. At once bright and defined the illustrations are also muted and impressionistic. The depictions of the family lying on the floor of the ferry to sleep, walking through the bustling streets of Hong Kong and the striking illustrations of the countryside are an essential feature of this unforgettable book.

The author has truly captured a special time from her own heart and mind and has shared her musings and her insights in this marvellously poetic and inspirational story.

Thematic Links: Grandmothers; Immigration; Travel; Family

Maria Forte
Vol. 12, number 5
June 2007

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.