Meet Mazu, Mother of the Sea and patron saint of Chinese fishermen. For centuries, the people of the island nation of Taiwan have exalted and prayed to her, exhorting her to ensure a good catch and give protection from storms. Mazu’s birthday, on the twenty-third day of the third month in the lunar calendar, is one of the most popular festivals of the year, with fairs, parades, and parties that fill the streets with noise and color for days – Taiwan’s very own “March Madness”!
Oh, My Goddess! brings Mazu and her festival to life with full-color depictions of the human and divine worlds during her birthday celebrations. Chiyou’s grand scenes, painted in deep, delicious color, recreate the festival in all its opulence and activity. Romanticized illustrations of Mazu and her divine pantheon might be especially attractive to younger readers, who can engage their imaginations as they learn more about this traditional Taiwanese festival.