Everyone Loves Lunchtime but Zia

A girl discovers the magic in her unique lunches, transforming her school experience.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 267 ratings

40 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Zia dreads lunchtime, embarrassed by her unique Cantonese dishes. As her birthday week unfolds, her parents pack special meals, each with a story of fortune and success. Will Zia embrace her heritage and find a way to share her culinary treasures with her classmates? Discover how a week of traditional dishes might change everything for Zia.

From the publisher

A heartwarming picture book about a Chinese-American girl who grows to appreciate the traditional dishes her parents prepare for her and finds a way to share her lunch with her classmates. Everyone loves lunchtime. Everyone, that is, but Zia. At school, the other kids are eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and apples on the side. But Zia’s always nervous about opening her lunchbox. Her dumpling and noodle dishes look different and smell different. She dreads lunchtime. Then, during her birthday week, her parents pack her a different Cantonese dish each day and explain what the food represents: a roast pork bun to bring treasure, soy sauce chicken to bring success, and more. At first, Zia doesn’t want to eat her lunch, but once she starts, she just may realize her food could bring her good fortune after all!

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