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Book Cover for: A Banquet for Cecilia: How Cecilia Chiang Revolutionized Chinese Food in America, Julie Leung

A Banquet for Cecilia: How Cecilia Chiang Revolutionized Chinese Food in America

Julie Leung

Relish in the savory, tangy, and sometimes spicy dishes of Cecilia Chiang, a revolutionary who changed the way Americans viewed Chinese food.

From an early age, Cecilia Chiang could be found delighting in the sounds and smells from her favorite room in her home--the kitchen. Little did Cecilia know that she would one day have to escape war and travel to a faraway country, destined to change Chinese cuisine in the United States forever.

Experience the dishes Cecilia Chiang enjoyed throughout her life as the seventh daughter in a large family to the owner of the famous Mandarin restaurant in San Francisco.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • Publish Date: Apr 29th, 2025
  • Pages: 40
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 11.25in - 8.75in - 0.38in - 0.00lb
  • EAN: 9780759557413
  • Recommended age: 04-08
  • Categories: Cooking & FoodBiography & Autobiography - WomenAsian American & Pacific Islander

About the Author

Julie Leung is the author of numerous books for children including the Caldecott honoreeThe Truth About Dragons; APALA award-winning Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist, illustrated by Chris Sasaki; and The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee. She invites you to visit her online at jleungbooks.com.

Melissa Iwai is an author/illustrator of over thirty picture books, including Let's Party!: A DIY Illustrated Guide to 10 Fantastic Birthday Parties, Soup Day, Pizza Day, Dumplings for Lili, and Gigi and Ojiji, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor-winning series. When she is not creating, she can be found cooking and doing crossword puzzles with her husband, author Denis Markell, in Brooklyn. She invites to you visit her online at melissaiwai.com, on Instagram @melissaiwai1, and on X @meliwai

More books by Julie Leung

Book Cover for: The Truth about Dragons: (Caldecott Honor Book), Julie Leung
Book Cover for: Mr. Pei's Perfect Shapes: The Story of Architect I. M. Pei, Julie Leung
Book Cover for: The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee, Julie Leung
Book Cover for: Who Did It First?: 50 Scientists, Artists, and Mathematicians Who Revolutionized the World, Julie Leung
Book Cover for: Mice of the Round Table #1: A Tail of Camelot, Julie Leung
Book Cover for: Mice of the Round Table: Voyage to Avalon, Julie Leung
Book Cover for: Mice of the Round Table: Merlin's Last Quest, Julie Leung

Praise for this book

Praise for The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee:

* "Through clear and concise text aimed at younger fluent readers, author Leung conveys Lee's verve and passion for both flying and life while also conveying the full import of Lee's accomplishments to both America and Americans of color.... The crisp lines and bright colors of Kwon's illustrations simply and gracefully depict a bygone era.... Another welcome biography of an Asian American contributor to U.S. history." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[An] unsung hero from Chinese American history.... A moving tribute to this groundbreaking aviation pioneer." --Booklist

"A little-known Chinese American pilot is brought to life in this picture book biography.... Illustrations vibrantly complement the text.... A must-have." --School Library Connection

"Kwon's illustrations emphasize Lee's sparkle and determination." --BCCB

"Leung's poetic text vividly conveys Lee's fascination with and passion for flying and breaking boundaries without fear as well as her perseverance and optimism for a better world. Kwon's clear, earth-toned, full-bleed illustrations expand on the story.... An excellent portrayal of a fearless flyer." --Horn Book

"Inspiring.... Engaging.... An excellent picture book biography." --SLJ

"Words and illustrations provide an excellent introduction to how one woman brought her love of fine Chinese food to the United States."--School Library Journal