Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story

by Teresa Robeson, William Low (illustrator)

In this story about the Ching Ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, a young girl and her Chinese-American family come together to share memories of the past over a delicious feast.

In the spring, Lily and her relatives gather for the Ching Ming Festival to honor their beloved ancestors. The day is full of joy and community, but also reverence and remembrance. As Lily zips between playing Chinese checkers with her cousin and helping her grandparents prepare a delicious meal for the family, a second narrative unfolds to reveal the sacrifices her great-great-grandpa had to make to settle in America. 

Both a tale honoring the efforts of the first Chinese American immigrants and a story of a family coming together, Clear and Bright is a celebration of Chinese heritage, cultural tradition, and the ancestral love that spans generations.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Asian American, Cultural, Childrens, Aapi, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

Teresa Robeson was born in Hong Kong, raised in Canada, and now lives on 27-acres in the Midwest U.S. with her scientist-professor husband, younger son, and a flock of quirky chickens. Her debut picture book, Queen Of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom, won the 2020 winner of the ALA Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature in the Picture Book category, and was a National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Nonfiction Recommended Book, and an International Literacy Association's Nonfiction Picture Honor. It also received starred reviews and appeared on many best-of lists.

The universe didn't want Teresa to get an inflated ego from all the honors her first book received and so it made sure her second book got very little love and attention in comparison. So, if you're feeling sorry for Two Bicycles In Beijing, or if you think bike friendship stories should get more attention, you could request it for your library's purchase or leave a review! Teresa would be ever so grateful. :)

What's up next? Between 2023 and 2025, you'll see graphic novels, picture books, and nonfiction middle grades from Teresa!

Reviews

[Vincent Desjardins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this picture book about a contemporary Chinese family and how they honor their ancestors in the annual, springtime Ching Ming Festival. This was a festival I knew nothing about so it was fun learning about this lovely tradition where families come together, cook a delicious feast and then gather at the gravesites of those that came before them. Once there, they tidy up the cemetery plots, lay out the food as an offering and then divide the food amongst themselves to enjoy with their loved ones, those present and those who have died.

The language is poetic but not flowery and Robeson leads the reader gently from page to page as we discover the rituals and meaning of this Chinese tradition. The illustrations by William Low are colorful and beautifully composed, giving you a realistic glimpse into the lives of the depicted family. This is a lovely book about the importance of family, traditions, and remembering the hard work done by our ancestors to make our lives possible.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful story about honoring one's ancestors and celebrating family ties centers around the Chinese festival of Ching Ming. The gentle and loving story tells of two branches of a family coming together in celebration.

I enjoyed studying the captivating endpapers: the front endpaper depicts illustrated photos and artifacts from the family's past, when the child narrator's great-great-grandfather comes to the United States from China, and the back endpaper shows the present-day family. Back matter describes the festival, includes definitions of Chinese words used in the text, and gives the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited those of Chinese origin from emigrating to the United States from 1882 to 1943. This sobering history adds even more meaning and depth to this story. Readers will enjoy poring over the masterful, realistic illustrations.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story about family traditions and honoring loved ones who have died. Every spring, a young girl, Lily, helps her family prepare for Ching Ming. She helps clean and shop for food because once her aunt, uncle, and cousin arrive they will play games and cook lots of special food. Then they travel to the cemetery where her great-great-great Grandpa Fong is buried. They talk about their ancestors' hardships immigrating but also their joy. A sweet story with lovely, lyrical text and amazing art. I kept studying the illustrated photographs—they reminded me of the collection of my ancestors' photos. While I may not celebrate Ching Ming, I loved learning about it. Don't miss this book!

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story about a Chinese holiday that I wasn't familiar with -- Ching Ming, a festival during which families gather to honor ancestors, and to remember where they came from and where they are going. This story realistically depicts a modern family of Chinese origin excitedly waiting for cousins, playing games, cooking a feast, and visiting their ancestors' grave site to commune together. It's an activity that is at once specific to Chinese culture, but also feels universal in its rhythms and traditions -- this family plays Chinese checkers. For me and my cousins, it was Monopoly. I especially loved the very detailed and realistic illustrations. The story gives one a sense of peeking into the life of another family at the moment of a special holiday.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily celebrates Ching Ming, a Chinese spring festival, by carrying on family traditions. Through stories of the hardships and happiness of their ancestors who came to the U.S., they remember with reverence and respect. This book gently and beautifully shares the cultural bonds between generations and hints at difficult times in history that affected Lily's family. It’s a perfect invitation for readers to explore their own family history and the difficulties ancestors might have endured. Knowing their roots can anchor children with an appreciation for the courage and determination that paved the way for them today.

[Laura Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story is a beautiful book steeped in tradition. It details the history and meaning behind the Chinese Festival, Ching Ming, told through the eyes of a young girl named Lily. Ching Ming is a time to honor ancestors for their sacrifices/hardships but also a time of joy that brings family together. Robeson incorporates beautiful langague and clever word choice (using the word because to connect the pages throughout the book). Low’s realistic illustrations bring an added layer of poignancy to this special, and relevant, story about culture, heritage, and family.

[A Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book initially caught my attention at the library because of all the daffodils on the cover! I enjoyed the illustrations. There are a handful of words in the book written in Chinese and all but one of them were food. The food is also written in English. I am glad to learn about Ching Ming and it seems to be a beautiful way to honor ancestors. I also think this would be a great book to include in classrooms, shortly after the spring equinox, because all children should feel represented at school and all children should learn about different customs, too. I will be adding this title to my wishlist.

[Keila Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and Bright is the story of the Ching Ming Chinese spring festival, where families gather to honor their deceased ancestors. Lily is looking forward to this day because she will see cousins and family members who are traveling to the place in America where her great-great grandparents immigrated. This story invites readers to explore the history of immigration and the traditions various ethnic groups brought to the U.S. to create the multi-cultural country we all call home. A wonderful addition to any school and or home library collection.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family story of gathering to honor ancestors during the Ching Ming festival. Narrated by one child of the family that stayed in its ancestral home established by original immigrants to North America, the story unfolds from their point of view - the joy of returning family, playing with cousins, helping to make traditional foods, and the cleaning of family graves and the feast to follow. Back matter gives more context of the holiday and of the Chinese Exclusion Act, an unfair and shameful period for the United States. Understated, painterly illustrations by William Low.

[Suhasini Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and Bright: The Ching Ming Festival, written by Teresa Robeson, is a beautiful story about the Chinese tradition of Ching Ming, which honors ancestors. The book celebrates joyful moments when families come together, while also acknowledging the hardships faced by family members who immigrated to America. With poignant language and wonderful illustrations by Low, this book is a great addition to any school or home.

[Katie Mazeika · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Clear and Bright” does a beautiful job of sharing Ching Ming with the reader. Ching Ming is a Chinese Spring festival that honors ancestors and their struggles. This story opens the door for readers to explore the history of immigration and the diversity of ethnic groups and traditions that makes up America. Such an important message for readers today!

[Tina Cho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyrical text and beautiful paintings make Clear and Bright a lovely read about the Ching Ming Festival, the Chinese tradition of honoring one’s ancestors. Readers follow a young girl and her family as they prepare to meet relatives at family graves. Those who read this book will appreciate family, especially learning about those who’ve passed on.

[Lesli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful picture book explaining the Ching Ming Festival of honoring and remembering your ancestors. The book includes words in Chinese and blends the traditional with the modern. Throughout the book are artistic representations of real family photos that really emphasize the focus on family.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clear and bright, child's-eye perspective of Ching Ming, a traditional spring Chinese festival dedicated to honoring one's ancestors. Captures the warmth of family life amid rituals of remembrance and grieving.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

explains the ching ming festival...good to know since i read lots of books set in china

[Carrie Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about the Chinese tradition of celebrating Ching Ming, a spring festival to honor family past and present.