There is something iconic about an old-fashioned food stand. Often they are mom and pop establishments that excel at creating delicious food. Such a place serves the staples of American fare: hamburgers, hotdogs, French fries, and milk shakes. In Night of the Moonjellies, Mark Shasha brings just such a stand to life. He colorfully depicts all of the team work and energy that go into making a seaside food stand hum.
When Mark was seven, he spent the summer with his grandmother. He helped out at Mar-Gra’s, the family hotdog stand in a New England seaside town. Uncle Al, Aunt Grace, and cousin Rollie all pitched in to prepare food, serve customers, and meet the demand of meal-time rush on busy summer days. Mark’s job was to fill the ketchup, mustard, and relish containers and to stock the napkins and straws. The family members grabbed a bite to eat during the lull after lunch. It provided a respite prior to the arrival of the evening crowd.
One day on his way to help at the stand, Mark finds an unusual creature on the shore. He places it in a plastic bag filled with seawater, along with the sea glass that he has collected. Gram tells him that he has found something special and sets the bag aside for later. In the meantime, they had a busy food stand to run. After closing that evening, Gram takes Mark on an adventure that reveals to him the secret of his find.
In Night of the Moonjellies, Mark Shasha has created a warm story demonstrating both the importance of family bonds and the rewards of hard work. He has lavishly illustrated the book with colorful paintings that bring the scenes to life. It is a book that will be enjoyed, and maybe, with some careful research and planning, you might one day have the chance to visit a stand to order up your own burger, fries, and a chocolate shake.