Interview with Jasmine Fang

We are so excited to interview author, Jasmine Fang, about her upcoming picture book, Beneath the Same Round Moon. Check out her interview below.
​
Kidlit in Color: What was your inspiration for BENEATH THE SAME ROUND MOON?

Jasmine Fang: I wrote this story during the pandemic, when my family was scattered across the world. My parents were in Taiwan, my sister was in Singapore, my grandfather had recently passed, and it was just me, my husband, and my baby bump in the SF Bay Area. That Mid-Autumn Festival, we celebrated by eating mooncakes and drinking tea, video-calling family. And despite the distance, I felt this quiet, powerful connection. That feeling became the heart of this story. I wanted children, especially those in families spread across cities, countries, or separated by loss, to know that the people they love are never truly far away. 

KLiC: What kind of research did you do for your book?

JF: I grew up celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with my own family, so many of the traditions in the book like making mooncakes, lighting lanterns, gathering for a big dinner, came from my memory. But I also wanted the book to feel rich and specific beyond my own experience, so I did deeper research into the holiday's history, regional variations, and the many ways families celebrate it. I wanted the backmatter especially, the mooncake recipe and lantern craft, to feel child-friendly and usable.

KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book?

JF: The mooncake-making scene where the main character Pearl holds the mooncake up to the moon! There's something so tender and timeless about three generations gathered in a kitchen, hands dusted with flour, pressing dough into molds. It's such a sensory memory for so many families, including mine. I was moved by how Rồng Phạm and Vinh Nguyễn brought that scene to life. They captured exactly what I hoped the book would feel- warm, unhurried, full of love.

KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book?

JF: That we're all connected and that they're never alone. Families come in all different shapes, some spread across cities, some separated by work or school, some missing someone they've lost. But love doesn't require the same roof or even the same time zone. It lives in the traditions we keep and the stories we tell. I wish every reader would look up at the moon and feel connected to the people who matter to them, wherever they are.

KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors?

JF: Write the story only you can tell. It sounds simple, but it's the hardest thing- trusting that your specific, personal experience is enough. This book came from one very particular night during the pandemic, from my memory. So find a community of fellow writers who will champion and challenge you, and keep going. This book came together quickly for me, but the time I spent learning the craft, writing other stories, and building my community made that possible.  

KLiC: What’s next for you?

My next book OUR CHINATOWN MARKET comes out with Penguin Viking in Spring 2028. It’s about a community that comes together to save a Chinatown Market. 

--

Jasmine Fang is a Taiwanese American author who creates stories rooted in heart and wonder.
Her books include Beneath the Same Round Moon (Beaming Books, September 2026) and Our Chinatown Market (Penguin Viking, Spring 2028).
Before turning to children's books, Jasmine spent a decade working in international affairs, higher education, and leadership development, experiences that brought her to 30+ countries and shaped her belief that the best stories 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 many tennis rackets. When she's not writing, you'll find her on a hiking trail, leading a fitness class, or chatting with friends over boba.

Find her online at jasmineifang.com or on Instagram @jasmineifang.