- Aug 28
Updated: Sep 4
How Cecilia Chiang Revolutionized
Chinese Food in America
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
pub. 4.29.2025
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Julie Leung
Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
Character: Cecilia Chiang
Overview:
"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."
Tantalizing taste:
"During a time when Chinese food in America was seen as cheap and greasy, Cecilia Chiang served dishes that showcased the best of our homeland. She encouraged her diners to be open to something new and different.
Her first menu at the Mandarin included this introduction: 'Imagine you are a Chinese family…' A simple but revolutionary ask: to put yourself in someone else's shoes – perhaps a seventh daughter who once lived in a palace, peering into the kitchen to see the banquet emerge."
And something more: Julie Leung in the Author's Note explains: "Through Cecilia Chiang and the Mandarin, Americans were introduced to China's diversity of flavors and cooking styles. She presented Chinese cuisine as a fine – dining experience – worthy of western media, reviews and awards – and pioneered a culinary awakening in this country." And as someone who had the good fortune to dine at the Mandarin in San Francisco, I can agree!
- Aug 25
Updated: Aug 28
How Maria Reiche Saved the Nazca Lines
by Sweeping the Desert
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TO
Astra Young Readers
pub. 4.8.2025
48 pages
Ages 7 - 10
Author: Michaela MacColl
Illustrator: Elisa Chavarri
Character: Maria Reiche
Overview:
"Maria Reiche wanted to put her curious mind to the test. When visiting Peru in 1941, she trekked across the land and discovered hidden lines covered in centuries of clay and sand.
Fascinated, she picked up a broom from her tools and began sweeping for miles and miles to uncover more details, taking time to track her movement and sketch out the precise shapes she followed. Her first discovery was a spider-shaped carving spanning hundreds of feet of desert! Sweeping her way across the land, other shapes followed—a monkey, a condor, and a whale.
But in the midst of these discoveries, she found out the land was going to be used for farming. She got to work again, this time demanding a press conference to announce her discoveries and stop the destruction of these ancient works of art—and it worked! Her efforts protected the land, which was later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 thanks to Maria’s tireless efforts."
Tantalizing taste:
"Maria lived long enough to see the United Nations name the Nazca Lines a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The whole world would protect the Lines now, not just Maria Reiche and her brooms.
Maybe someday someone will figure out what the Lines mean.
Maybe you will.
Maria Reiche saved them for you."
And something more: Michaela MacColl in A Word from the Author explains: "Once Maria discovered her life's passion at age thirty-eight, nothing could stop her from pursuing it. At the end of her life, Maria acknowledged that she would never know why the Nazca carved lines in the sand. Far from being disappointed, she decided that to know everything would be boring."
As she says, "Even if I were sure that my blindness is due to the severe sun and all the limitations of my life on the planes, I would never have given up my studies."
- Aug 20
Updated: Aug 28
The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar
and her Food Truck of Hope
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Chronicle Books
pub. 4.1.2025
44 pages
Ages 5 - 8
Author: Leila Boukarim
Illustrator: Sona Avedikian
Character: Mariam Al-Shaar
Overview:
"Once Mariam decides to start a food business in the refugee camp where she’s spent her whole life, she must see her dream through.
She will need money.
She will need the right papers.
People will tell her it’s impossible.
They will tell her not to risk it.
But with the women of the camp behind her, she is determined to make it happen."
Tantalizing taste:
"More walls stand in her way -
walls of rules,
of injustice,
of discrimination.
But Mariam has a mission.
She has a story.
She has a team of talented women who make food
that is meant to be shared.
No wall can stop her.
And so she charges ahead."
And something more: Leila Boukarim in the Author's Note explains: "Conditions at Mariam's refugee camp are difficult, particularly for women. But in the face of darkness and hopelessness, Mariam has dedicated herself to improving life there by empowering the people, by helping them learn the skills they need to do meaningful work... Since creating Soufra, Mariam has gone on to open a preschool as well as a Soufra Cafe in Bourj Al-Barajneh!"
