Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia

Every day, Zia dreads lunchtime at school.  She loves the Cantonese food that her parents make at home, but in the school cafeteria, her favorite homemade dishes feel out of place surrounded by everyone else’s sandwiches, fruit, and cheese and crackers.  Zia’s parents see her frustration and come up with a brilliant plan — they’ll make her a different dish every day, each bearing a special meaning.  At first, Zia approaches her special lunches with some hesitation, but each day as she eats more and more of each dish, wonderful things start to happen.  Could it be that eating the special dishes bring their meanings to life?  Zia might be in for the most magical week ever!  A beautifully heartwarming and delicious celebration of Cantonese food, family and embracing who we are.

Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia was written by Jenny Liao, illustrated by Dream Chen and published by Knopf Books for Young Readers.