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A Banquet for Cecilia

How Cecilia Chiang Revolutionized Chinese Food in America

Contributors

By Julie Leung

Illustrated by Melissa Iwai

Formats and Prices

Price

$18.99

Price

$24.99 CAD

Format:

  1. Hardcover $18.99 $24.99 CAD
  2. Audiobook Download (Unabridged) $4.99

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.

  • "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
  • 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." B>Kirkus Reviews, starred review

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

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

    "Kwon’s illustrations emphasize Lee’s sparkle and determination." I>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." I>Horn Book

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

On Sale
Apr 29, 2025
Page Count
40 pages
ISBN-13
9780759557413

Julie Leung

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 

Learn more about this author

Melissa Iwai

About the Illustrator

Melissa Iwai is an award-winning creator of over thirty picture books, including Soup DayPizza DayDumplings for Lili, and Gigi and Ojiji, which was a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Book. As a child, Melissa was always making things out of fabric, paper, and other assorted scrap materials. Her love of crafting, cooking, and baking came full circle when her son was born, and every birthday party became a DIY project with a theme of his choice. When she is not creating, Melissa can be found doing crossword puzzles with her husband, author Denis Markell, in Brooklyn. She invites you to visit her online at melissaiwai.com.

Learn more about this illustrator